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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Norteno music legend Ramon Ayala is visiting the |
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State Capitol on May 15, 2013, in celebration of his 50th year in |
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music, and this occasion provides an ideal opportunity to recognize |
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this acclaimed accordionist, songwriter, and singer; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Hidalgo, Mr. Ayala was born |
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in Monterrey, Mexico, on December 8, 1945; he took up his signature |
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instrument at the age of six and helped support his family with his |
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playing; as a teenager, he teamed with Cornelio Reyna to form Los |
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Relampagos del Norte, which synthesized traditional norteno music |
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with more modern elements from Texas conjunto; their brilliant |
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fusion defined norteno in the 1960s, and their many hits, including |
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"Ya No Llores" and "El Disgusto," have been covered by countless |
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other artists through the years; and |
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WHEREAS, Los Relampagos recorded 20 albums before the members |
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parted ways in 1971; subsequently, the accordion virtuoso found |
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even greater success leading Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte; |
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songs such as "Un Rinconcito en el Cielo," "Chaparra de Mi Amor," |
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and "Tragos Amargos" became norteno standards, and Mr. Ayala has |
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remained much in demand as a performer, on stage, on television, and |
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in more than a dozen movies; and |
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WHEREAS, Nominated for several Grammy Awards, Mr. Ayala won |
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the honor in the Best Mexican-American Album category in 2001 for |
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En Vivo... El Hombre Y Su Musica, and he produced the 2010 Best |
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Norteno Album winner, Classic, a tribute to Los Relampagos by |
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contemporary superstars Intocable; Mr. Ayala has also received two |
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Latin Grammys, and in 1997, Los Relampagos was inducted into the |
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Pura Vida Music Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ayala has demonstrated a deep commitment to his |
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community, and in 2000, he sponsored the first Ramon Ayala |
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Christmas Posada, an event highlighted by a toy giveaway for area |
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children; the presents delight some 10,000 youngsters annually and |
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are an especially treasured holiday tradition for those from |
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disadvantaged backgrounds; and |
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WHEREAS, The posada also includes a mass and a Nativity |
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reenactment, and the day comes to an exciting close when the man |
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known as "El Rey del Accordeon"--the "King of the Accordion"--joins |
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with other performers to present a free concert; the event was moved |
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from his hometown of Hidalgo to the community of Las Milpas in 2012; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Ramon Ayala has made vital contributions to Texas |
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music through his innovations and artistry, and while delighting |
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countless Tejano fans over the course of his career, he has been |
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equally devoted to bringing the joy of the holiday season to all |
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members of his community; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby declare May 15, 2013, as Ramon Ayala Day at the State Capitol |
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and congratulate Mr. Ayala on his 50th anniversary in music; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Ayala as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives and Senate. |