How can a non-profit group operating about a $100 million organization, channel revenues, partly raised through year long fund raising efforts of the Go Tejano Committee, not address the obvious transparent need for diversity transparently in their scholarships identity, and procurement contracts to one of the nation’s largest minority segments of the population in Harris County? Hispanics make up the largest group per ca-pita in the county.

We applaud the efforts of minority leaders from the Hispanic, Tejano and African-American communities for utilizing every avenue to serve justice for all in reference to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo unwillingness to address the real issues. Sure there are differences but to ignore the facts of these issues returns minorities, with Tejanos in particular, to a chapter of American history no group is willing to relive again. Let‚Äôs move forward and find a balance in what each minority group has contributed to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Equity, diversity, and tradition built the Houston Rodeo to a profitable entity, not a private club of elites or for ‚Äúthe good ole boys‚Äù! For those not well versed with the facts, it was the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo who determined earlier this year to devalue the Tejano community by not featuring Tejano performers on its main stage after establishing a seventeen year; a day of family tradition ‚Äî Go Tejano Day. This fact never stopped the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from accepting the volunteer services of the Tejanos leaders or Go Tejano Committee in fundraising scholarship revenues. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo shouldn‚Äôt be allowed to have it both ways — Tejano music is good enough for the small community fund raisers, but not popular enough to maintain it‚Äôs long built tradition on the main stage in the large stadium? The issues at hand run deeper than just a music genre though. The music issue is only the tip of the iceberg of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo‚Äôs one sided, narrow mindedness.

There is more to this imbalance then meets the eye. The Tejano community challenged the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for it’s devaluation of Tejano music, its culture and it’s people. This fallout manifested itself after a 17-year partnership in which Tejanos have helped raise millions of dollars because of their unselfish efforts consistently. If education is power, we must take from those lessons of common sense and listen to the collective voice of those minority constituents in Houston. While not all Hispanic groups are the same and one size does not fit all, the undeniable truth remains, that the Tejano community, in particular, has been serving and continues to serve in a volunteer capacity with the scholarship fundraising efforts of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is this tradition that helped establish “Go Tejano Day” and even before that through the Reata Association— which has established precedence thus giving Tejanos generational equity. That means one or more generations are ready to sit on the Executive Board for their long established years of service — yet still we see nothing? The business of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo through its contracts, vendors and supply services, support only a small number of minorities which include: women, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Tejanos — why? Why no executives at the top? From top to bottom the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo looks like it’s servicing only a comfortable few with financial gain and empowerment. Why?

The time has come to put all of these issues on the table again! Let the chips fall where they may, but this time bringing in all of the stakeholders. Stakeholders include those likely to surrender to the table scraps of the “Rodeo Hideout” and merge them side by side with Tejano leadership made up of courageous individuals, organizations, coalitions and groups willing to stand up and make the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo accountable to all of the communities that play a big role in their revenue stream. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo financial sponsors are also interested in the questions/requests being positioned:

1. Award a greater number of scholarships to Tejanos/Hispanics (Largest group per capita)

2. Incorporate (Tejano/Hispanic) individual (s) at the Executive Committee Level of the governing body (equal representation including women)

3. Retain traditional event title, as is “Go Tejano Day” and build greater awareness of Tejano music & culture

4. Expand role of “Go Tejano Committee” in the entertainment selection process – obtain empowerment

5. Pay parity for Tejano music artists

6. Increase Hispanic themed days/events at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

7. Identify current minority contracts and participating vendors doing business with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and award greater number of opportunities to minorities

There’s plenty of room for discussing minority differences and enough minority goodwill to reach the middle ground through mediation. “No Tejano, No Rodeo” is a rally cry no minority group should not be forced to VOICE next year!

Orale Se?±or Shaffer, loosen up the bolo tie, get out of your luxury Reliant sky box, and plant your feet on terra firma. The time for change is ahora!

Many great thanks and kudos to many fine people who showed courage and support for a just and noble cause concerning issues with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. The awesome leadership displayed by Houston officials, community leaders, radio personalities, and event coordinators concluded a three part protest series that brought out families and friends, young and old, all together in a great spirit of unity and pride.See more great photos by clicking here!

So many to name, but I proudly acknowledge Senator Mario Gallegos, Ret. Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, Ben Mendez – Chairman/VIVE Tejano-Houston, Communication and Contact Person and many other hats worn by Ruben Cubillos – Cofounder VIVE Tejano, and of course the musical stars, my compas, Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido.The press conference held in Houston February 26th was way beyond our expectations in number of attendance and effectiveness.

The rally in Jones Plaza in Houston on March 9th was a sight to see and wonderful experience of the heart. Well produced with attendance beyond capacity and an afternoon filled with love, joy, fun and pride for all, with great speakers at the podium. To my band La Familia and its leader, Tom Cruz, QUE CHINGONES SON!!The protest rally on March 16th, in front of the Reliant Stadium on Go Tejano Day ending with yet another press conference was indescribably fantastic!! Grandparents, grandchildren, amigos, amigas, compadres, comadres, mamaces, papaces, hermonos, hermanas and todos los movidos! A total display of nuestra cultura, nuestra tradicion, nuestra gente and nuestra familia, all bound and united by the love for nuestra musica!! Musica Chicana/Tejana!! What an incredible day of uplifting spirit, and cultural pride. Viva la gente! Way to go Tejanos, you made us proud!

In closing I say to you, I hope that in my lifetime I have done something inspiring and beneficial for the “greater good” of all people worthy enough to inspire others. I deeply believe that through love for one another and good deeds, humanity should be revered and remembered forever.

I humbly remain tu amigo y servidor, (your friend and servant),

Jose Maria de Leon Hernandez
Little Joe

Sunday, March 16th at 2 p.m. Bring yourself and all of your friends as we show our support for Tejano music. We’ll meet at the corner of Kirby and 610 in Houston (Click here for a map). Come and be a part of a history making event with LOS TRES AMIGOS!:

• Ruben Ramos
• Robert Pulido
• Little Joe Hernandez

We’re calling all community leaders, Tejano musicians and supporters come show your support for Tejano music in ONE VOICE! Let the words of honor and respect be heard loud and clear ¬°VIVE Tejano! This coming Sunday, March 16th 2 p.m. we will show that Tejano music lives in Houston.

Where were you when Tejanos stood up for their culture and music? See more Pics at LeftyRay.com

From the depth of need and despair, people can work together, can organize themselves to solve their own problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength.- Cesar Chavez IF YOU DO NOTHING FOR TEJANO MUSIC THIS WEEK, PLEASE CLICK ON THE URL BELOW AND LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE DELIEVERED ON FEBRUARY 27TH BY LITTLE JOE ON KXTN SAN ANOTNIO & TEJANO 980 HOUSTON DURING THE JONNY RAMIREZ SHOW.http://kxtn.com/KXTN-107-5-Exclusive-Little-Joe-Interview/1728408THIS MAN‚ÄôS PASSION FOR THE TEJANO CULTURE, ITS MUSIC AND ITS FUTURE REFLECTS THE DESIRE TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE IN ONE VOICE. LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF REASON & TRUTH, SAID WITH GREAT CONFICTION TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT — THAT TIME IS NOW.WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN VIVE TEJANO-HOUSTON TO SHOW SOLIDARITY IN DEFENDING THE DEVALUATION OF A PROUD CULTURE AND ITS MUSIC BY HOUSTON RODEO OFFICIALS. ‚ÄúGO TEJANO DAY‚Äù IS A HOUSTON TRADITION WHICH MUST NOT CHANGE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. VIVE TEJANO-HOUSTON IS LOOKING FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION, DONATION, AND SUPPORT. TEJANO MUSIC IS ABOUT TO CHANGE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOGETHER, ORGANIZING THEMSELVES TO SOLVE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH NEED ATTENTION. SETTING HIGHER STANDARDS, SHARING GREATER COMMUNICATION AND MAINTAINING TEJANO MUSIC‚ÄôS AUTHENTICITY ARE CRITCAL IN ORDER TO INFLUENCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF TEJANO TALENT. THE NEXT GENERATION WILL HAVE A FOOT PRINT TO GUIDE THEM TOWARD PROSPERITY! ¬° ADELANTE TODOS!

NAMES OF ATTENDANCE: Ret. Senator Gonzalo Barriento – Tejano Democrats, Senator Mario Gallegos - Texas Senate Dist. 6, Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. II - Texas Senate Dist. 27, State Rep. Dist. 143 Anna Hernandez, State Rep. Dist. 148 Jessica Farrar, Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, Little Joe Hernandez – La Familia, Ruben Ramos – Mexican Revolution, Roberto Pulido – Los Clasicos, Roel Pulido – Los Clasicos, David Lee Garza – Los Musicales, Leonard Davila - Austin Tejano Music Coalition, Lorenzo Cano – CMAS University of Houston, Jesse Rodriguez - Amigos Radio, Sammy Hernandez – Festival Chicano, Alfred Rodriguez - Amigos Radio, Frank Flores – Go Tejano Committee, Diana Falcon, Falcon Productions, Ruben Cubillos – VIVE Tejano, Inc.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• How Tejano Delegation was called to order to address Houston Rodeo controversy
• Why is Tejano music not part of the 2008 Go Tejano Day at Houston Rodeo?
• Analysis on how current conditions developed from record-breaking Tejano partnership
• Discussion on understanding Houston Rodeo‚Äôs process used in determining entertainment
• Discussion of power shift in Go Tejano Committee and Houston Rodeo officials
• Discussion where Mexican Regional acts overshadowed long Tejano music partnership
• Discussion of short term resolutions and long term goals to reconnect partnership
• Redefine process in determining Tejano music entertainment
• Form subcommittee to explore Houston Rodeo‚Äôs official position, beliefs and consequences
• Seek diplomatic solution to define the value of the Tejano music relationship
• State of Tejano music
  • issues effecting the genre:
  • limited radio outlets
  • limited support for new Tejano acts to find air-play on current stations
  • down sizing of venues or their demise
  • discrimination of aging audience base
  • erosion of large events yearly

Quite a list don’t you agree?Now then, the most important and present matter is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. As you well know, Tejano Day at the Rodeo is one of the highest money grossing days of the Rodeo, thanks to Nuestra Raza, Los Tejanos. But check this out, Tejano Day will now be Tejano Day but without Tejano artists or Tejano music! SAY WHAT!?!? I don’t know about you, but I personally feel on behalf of all Tejano musicians, bands, artists and fans, abused misused and discarded!!! ¬øQUE CHINGAS ES ESTO? Carnal and Carnalas!Furthermore and on top of that, as Bobby Fuller “El Charro Negro” would say, “There is a probability that the powers that be may do away with Tejano Day all together.” You will be informed of what happens next,But IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME OF NEED TO COOPERATE AND LEAN YOUR SUPPORT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THAT CAN HELP US IN OUR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR US ALL, NOW IS THAT TIME!!!Your involvement, opinion and support is totally vital and central to this cause. Stay positive, healthy and aware. Continue success and receive the Almighty’s blessings. Remember always: Si,Se Puede!!!Tu Amigo,Little Joe