Rain A Tribute to the Beatles

Direct from Broadway, Rain- A Tibute to the Beatles, made its debut at the Long Center in Austin on the 20th of September where it will run until Sunday, the 25th. It has been said to be the next best thing to have seen the Beatles.

The show is presented by Broadway Across American, The Long Center and Texas Performing Arts.

You can't help but hear a Beatles song and immediately recall where you were back in time when it was first released, if you are of age to have been around when it was first released. Boomers will know, but so will their children and grandchildren, because it is music that has never died. It is a great concert to share with everyone in the family.

My guest said it provided her with memories of songs from her childhood. She also enjoyed the change in costume and background on the stage for the songs.

It is hard not to get involved in audience participation when so many around you are into the show. My guest also thought it was great audience participation, with people singing and dancing in their seats.

Overall, both of us recommend not missing this Broadway Across America show that came to Austin. You still have a chance this weekend.

The show on Friday the 23rd will be at 8pm, but on Saturday, the shows are at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 1pm and 7pm. Tickets are available at the Long Center Box office, www.longcenter.org or you can call 512.474.LONG (5664).

The Tejano Music Awards Winners Backstage

Elida Reyna swept the awards show with her varied nominations and awards she and the band took home to the Rio Grande Valley. The awards received were Song of the Year- Prefiero Morir; Female Vocalist of the Year; Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year for her song with Michael Salgado, Amor o Costumbre.

Javier Hinojosa, from Texas Legend, won in the category of Best New Male Artist

The Hometown Boys won in the Album of the Year-Conjunto category for their CD, Simplemente El Jefe.


Other winners not pictured here are:

Male Vocalist of the Year- Jesse Turner (Grupo Siggno)

Best New Female Artist- Betty Barajas (Conjunto Baraja de Oro)

Best New Group of the Year- Badd Boyz del Valle

TMA Lifetime Achievement Award - Flaco Jimenez

Tejano Music Awards show held in San Antonio

The 31st Annual Tejano Music Awards show was held at the San Antonio Event Center on Saturday, September 10th, featuring a red carpet arrival for the artists at 5pm in the Texas heat and a full evening of award presentations and performances.

Hosting the show was actor/comedian Cleto Rodriguez and 'VAMOS' TV show hostess, Vanessa Macias, keeping the audience entertained.

TTMA 2011 Lifetime Achievement recipient, Janie Esparza, with her family prior to entering the awards show where she and recipient, Flaco Jimenez (not pictured), were recognized for their contributions to the industry.

Twelve nominees are placed on the general ballot and then the top five are selected after the voting period ends.

Shelly Lares with band members pose on red carpet

Song of the Year nominees are: AJ Castillo- Vuelve a Mi; Bobbie Pulido- Dias de Ayer; Elida Reyna y Avante- Prefiero Morir; Shelly Lares- Y Lo Nuestro Que; The Hometown Boys- La Botella

Elias Arrendondo on the red carpet

Male Vocalist of the Year nominees are: Bobby Pulido, Jesse Turner, Elias Arredondo, Jimmy Gonzalez and Gary Hobbs

Monica Castro on the red carpet

Female Vocalist of the Year nominees are: Elida Reyna, Shelly Lares, Monica Castro, Stefani Montiel and Patsy Torres

Entertainer of the Year nominees are: Bobby Pulido, Elida Reyna, Jay Perez, Jesse Turner and Shelly Lares

Album of the Year-Tejano nominees are: AJ Castillo- On My Way; Elida Reyna y Avante- Fantasia; Gary Hobbs- Aprendi A Volar; Jimmy Gonzalez y Mass-Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor; Shelly Lares- Mirando Adelante

Album of the Year-Conjunto nominees are: Carlos y los Cachorros- 180; Da Krazy Pimps- Los Reyes del Conjunto; David Farias- Seguire Mi Camino; Juan P. Moreno- Sabes Bien; The Hometown Boys- Simplemente El Jefe

Vocal Duo of the Year nominees are: David Farias & Chente Barrera- Vas A Pagar; Elida Reyna & Michael Salgado- Amor o Costumbre; Jerry Pena & Oscar Pena- Aunque Estes Con El; Marco Jaime & Ram Herrera- Tu Nuevo Querer; Raphael Rodriguez & J. R. Gomez- No Estas Sola

Best New Group of the Year nominees are: Badd Boyz del Valle, Grupo Maldad, Retono, Servando Ramos y Los Texas Outlaws and Texas Legend

Best New Male Artist nominees are: Artie Villarreal, Javier Hinojosa (Texas Legend), Mario Barajas (Conjunto Baraja de Oro), Rick Balderama and Steven Gonzales (Veronica y Avance)

Jessica Baeza is interviewed on the red carpet

Best New Female Artist nominees are: Anjelique, Betty Barajas, Ilyssa Saenz, Jessica Baeza and Tracy Perez

The 2011 Tejano Music Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

Javier Hinojosa, member of Texas Legand from the Rio Grande Valley and based in San Juan, is interviewed on the red carpet, accompanied by his father (left). Javier is nominated in the category of Best New Male artist and the band itself, Texas Legend, is a nominee in the category of Best New Group of the Year.

The line of artists from many cities in Texas and other U. S. states walked the red carpet to talk to the media and fans alike prior to the 7pm start of the awards show.

Jenne Celine Madrigal is a young teen already performing Tejano music and is making her mark in the industry with two CDs to her credit. Her trademark hat has earned her the title "La Princesita de Tejas."

Rick Balderama poses on the red carpet

Members of Grupo Maldad, who are one of the top five nominees for Best New Group of the Year

Tracy Perez, one of the top five nominees for Best New Female artist, waves to her fans from the red carpet. This is her third nomination for this award. Her new release, 'Through It All' is available from TNT Records.

Carlos y los Cachorros pose outside the San Antonio Event Center and their album 180 is one of the top five nominees in the Album of the Year- Conjunto category.

Award winning Dallas based Veronica y Avance pose on the red carpet. In 2010, they won the TMA Best New Group award. Steven Gonzales is nominated in the Best New Male artist category in 2011.

The 2011 Tejano Music Awards

This was a great musical showcase at the San Antonio Event Center on September 10th.

I took photos during the red carpet arrivals, met some new artists to interview and connected with some noted artists that continue to make their careers in this musical genre that transcends borders.

Photos and interviews to follow!

Liz

Michael Feinstein concert

What a truly wonderful show this was! I was transported by the music to another time.
The 17 piece band is absolutely awesome and it was amazing to watch them in their craft.

This is an fabulous way to kick off the Texas Performing Arts season!

Check out their upcoming shows as there are certainly some you do not want to miss.

Liz

Michael Feinstein’s Big Band Sinatra Project at Bass Concert Hall

Texas Performing Arts opens the 30th anniversary season with Michael Feinstein's performance of The Sinatra Project at the Bass Concert Hall on Thursday, September 8th at 8pm.

The evening of music backed by a 17 piece band will be based on Feinstein's hit album of the same name.

Feinstein is a five time Grammy nominated entertainer and this is a perfect time not to miss him while on tour through Austin. 'American Songbook', Feinstein's top rated, three part PBS documentary/reality series was recently released on DVD. www.shopPBS.org

For more information and to purchase tickets online for the September 8th performance, visit www.TexasPerformingArts.org or call 512.477.6060.