| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Ruben G. Hernandez has greatly enriched the proud |
|
|
musical tradition of Austin and the State of Texas through his |
|
|
leadership of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, which has been pleasing |
|
|
audiences for 60 years; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The musical ensemble was founded by Nash Hernandez, |
|
|
Sr., in the spring of 1949, and from the beginning, it specialized |
|
|
in performing an infectious mix of big-band swing, jazz, and Latin |
|
|
musical styles; through the decades, the band has drawn fans of all |
|
|
ages, races, and backgrounds, including everyone from college |
|
|
students to dance enthusiasts to Texas political leaders; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Nash Hernandez passed away in June 1994 at the age of |
|
|
72, but before he died, he asked his son, Ruben, to carry on his |
|
|
musical legacy by taking over the orchestra; Ruben agreed, and in |
|
|
the 15 years since, he has maintained the group's popularity by |
|
|
performing regularly at venues, special events, and weddings around |
|
|
the state; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Born on July 11, 1959, Ruben Hernandez is actually |
|
|
10 years younger than the band he directs, but he has a long musical |
|
|
history of his own; he learned to play the drums at the age of four |
|
|
with the help of his brother, Dave, and began performing with the |
|
|
orchestra when he was just 11 years old; drawing inspiration from |
|
|
renowned drummers such as Buddy Rich and Tito Puente, he devoted |
|
|
himself to music and earned a degree in theory and composition from |
|
|
The University of Texas at Austin in 1981; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Since becoming leader of the orchestra, Mr. |
|
|
Hernandez has maintained his father's practice of performing for |
|
|
charitable events and at fund-raisers for deserving causes, and the |
|
|
band regularly plays special concerts at senior citizens |
|
|
facilities; for these admirable efforts, and for keeping alive a |
|
|
historic Texas ensemble and its timeless music, Ruben Hernandez and |
|
|
his fellow musicians are indeed deserving of recognition; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby honor Ruben G. Hernandez for perpetuating the |
|
|
musical legacy of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra and extend best |
|
|
wishes to the members of the band on the event of the ensemble's |
|
|
60th anniversary; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Mr. Hernandez as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |