Move over Grammy; step aside Country Music Association. The 21st annual Tejano Music Awards hit town this month and they take a back seat to no one! This national tribute to Tejano music, produced by the San Antonio-based Texas Talent Musicians Association, draws a stellar lineup of hot Tejano artists and enthusiastic fans for the culmination of festivities that started with the big Kickoff Dance in January at the Far West Rodeo. A Nominees Dance in March and Industry Awards Banquet in April lead up to the spectacular 2001 Tejano Music Awards in the Alamodome on April 7, preceded by the TMA FanFare the day before in Sunset Station.

All of the hubbub centers on a blend of music rooted in Spanish Mexico and Texas and flavored with the sound of native polkas and waltzes brought over by early German, Czech and Polish settlers. This new breed of music continued to evolve, with infusions of pop, rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, jazz, country and even disco influences, but it was because of the introduction in 1980 of the first awards ceremony itself that this music style's name, Tejano (Spanish for Texan), was popularized.

Tejano Stars Honored

Whatever its path, San Antonio has been at the crossroads, if not the birthplace, of this vital music, so it is only fitting that San Antonio is host to this colossal musical homage. From an audience of 1,300 in the Banquet Hall of the old San Antonio Convention Hall in 1980, the Tejano Music Awards has exploded into a super-scale event of more than 20,000 enthusiastic fans in the immense Alamodome, with this year's event expected to draw 25,000. Little Joe Hernandez, David Lee Garza, Roberto Pulido, Laura Canales, Emilio Navaira, "Ram" Herrera" and all of the greats of Tejano have received their accolades at this special event. The unforgettable Selena repeatedly swept the awards and thrilled appreciative audiences during her 10-year-plus reign as "Queen of Tejano Music," beginning with the 1986 Tejano Music Awards and culminating in six awards at the 16th Tejano Music Awards the year after her tragic death.

Awards categories have expanded over the years to 12, including male vocalist, female vocalist, group album, Conjunto album, male entertainer, female entertainer, song, most promising band, showband, Mexican regional song, Tejano crossover song and music video. Voting is done by record labels, artists, musicians, songwriters, publishers, radio stations and "Registered Tejanos." (Get registered by calling 1-888-945-5803.) This year's 21st annual Tejano Music Awards begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in the Alamodome, with tickets ranging from $12.50 to $45.50. (Corporate tables go for $55.50 to $100.)

Free FanFare

Honored by awards the previous Thursday night at the Industry Awards Banquet are individual musicians, record producer and songwriter of the year, rising stars, instrumental song of the year, Hall of Fame inductees and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Past years have seen the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award going to such greats as La Mafia and San Antonio-born Sunny Ozuna, who had top hits on both pop and Tejano charts in the '60s and won a Grammy just this year. Several scholarships also are awarded at this time to deserving high school music students.

The Friday, April 6, FanFare offers live music showcases, autograph booths, food, games, displays and exhibits and runs noon to midnight at nearby historic Sunset Station, a restored railroad depot. This free event offers continuous entertainment, featuring 70 bands on six stages. More celebrating of the awards takes place with live music and festivities on tap all weekend at Sunset Station and historic Market Square. It's one spectacular weekend, and it's all about the songs and the stars and the music that Texas helped give the world -- Tejano.

A Quick Look

TMA FanFare
Friday, April 6, Noon-midnight
Sunset Station

Tejano Music Awards
Saturday, April 7, 7 p.m.
The Alamodome
$12.50 to $45.50
After-Awards Party at Sunset Station.
210 222-TTMA