The Tejano Music Awards had been launched in 1980 by former art teacher and music veteran Rudy Trevino and the leader of the Latin Breed Band, Gilbert Escobedo. Only 1,500 fans turned out for the first Tejano Music Awards. Over the years, San Antonio evolved into the Nashville of Tejano music. Since 1980, The Tejano Music Awards have provided a forum to create greater awareness and appreciation for Tejano music. Artists such as Selena and Jay Perez, have dominated the Tejano Music Awards. Selena, who swept the Tejano Music Awards and won Female vocalist for 12 consecutive years from 1986-1997 (except 1988), and Female entertainer for 9 consecutive years from 1988–1996 and had captured every conceivable award. During the past few years the awards were being held in Eagle Pass, Texas at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino. The event has recently returned to San Antonio.[1]

The Tejano Music Awards celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2010. Award winners for the last 30 years can be found on the Tejano Music Awards Website.

Tejano music or Tex-Mex music (Texan-Mexican music) is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas. In recent years, artists such as Selena, often referred to as "The Queen of Tejano", Alicia Villarreal, Elsa Garcia, Laura Canales, La Mafia, Jay Perez, Mazz, and Jennifer Peña have transformed Tejano music from primarily Tejano, ethnic form of music to a genre with wide appeal in people who like Tejano.

In the 1850s Europeans that came from Germany (first during Spanish time and 1830s), Poland and what is now the Czech Republic migrated to Texas and Mexico, bringing with them their style of music and dance. They brought with them the waltz, polkas and other popular forms of music and dance. However it was not until the Mexican Revolution (1910–1917) that forced many of these Europeans to flee Mexico and into South Texas, that their musical influence was to have a major impact on Tejanos.

At the turn of the century, Tejanos were mostly involved in ranching and agriculture. The only diversion was the occasional traveling musician who would come to the ranches and farms. Their basic instruments were the flute, guitar, and drum, and they sang songs that were passed down through the generations from songs originally sung in Mexico. One of these musicians was Lydia Mendoza, who became one of the first to record Spanish language music as part of RCA's expansion of their popular race records of the 1920s. As these traveling musicos traveled into areas where the Germans, Poles and Czechs lived, they began to incorporate the oom-pah sound into their music. Narciso "El Huracan del Valle" Martinez, known as the father of Conjunto music, defined the accordion's role in Conjunto music.

Tejano or Texano (Spanish for "Texan") is a term used to identify a Texan of criollo spanish or Mexican heritage.

Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people. During the Spanish Colonial times and pre-Anglo colonization, the term primarily applied to Spanish settlers of the region now known as Texas (first as part of the New Spain and then in 1821 as part of Mexico). During the times of independent south Texas, the term also applied to Spanish-speaking Texans and Hispanicized Germans and other Europeans. In modern times, the term is more broadly used to identify a Texan of Mexican descent.

Already in 1519, Alonso Alvarez de Pineda claimed Texas for Spain. However, Spain paid little attention to the province until 1685. In this year, Spain received news of the existence of a French colony in Texas that could endanger Spanish mines and shipping routes, so that the king of Spain sent 10 expeditions to the province to look for a French colony, that never came to see. Between 1690 and 1693 several Spanish expeditions took place in Texas, who helped obtain a better understanding of the place for the provincial government and the settlers who come later to Texas.

The Voice Jay Perez born in San Antonio, Texas is an American Tejano musician, notable for his blending of Rhythm and Blues with traditional Tejano music . Initially a drummer he became a leading vocalist for Latin Breed and then David Lee Garza y los Musicales, Perez began a solo career in the early 1990s. He has released several solo albums. He has also won several Tejano Music Awards. To his fan base, he is known or referred to as "The Voice".

Tejano Hits 1996 With Ram Herrera & David Marez

Jay Perez Up Close and Personal 2007