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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Pioneering Chicano Tejano band Tortilla Factory is |
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celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1973, Tortilla Factory was established by |
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trumpeter and San Angelo native Tony "Ham" Guerrero and former |
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members of Little Joe & the Latinaires; blending Tejano with |
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elements of rock, R&B, polka, salsa, jazz, and soul to create a |
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unique sound, the 10-piece ensemble has also benefited from the |
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talents of front man Bobby "El Charro Negro" Butler, who learned to |
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sing Tejano music picking cotton alongside Mexican laborers as a |
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child in Arkansas; delighting audiences with his soulful croon and |
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effortless renditions of genre classics, he broke down racial |
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barriers as one of the first African-American Tejano singers to |
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find success; and |
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WHEREAS, Tortilla, as the band is known by its fans, released |
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its debut, La Malagueña, in 1973 and a self-titled album in 1974 |
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before relocating to Oakland, California; half of the band did not |
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make the move, and Mr. Guerrero formed a new lineup; despite |
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finding commercial success from albums and live shows, the group |
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folded in the 1980s as the popularity of Tejano began to wane; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2000, Mr. Guerrero reformed the band, eventually |
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bringing in his children Laura and Alfredo Antonio Guerrero to join |
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Mr. Butler; Tortilla introduced itself to new audiences in 2008 |
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with the release of the acclaimed album, All that Jazz; reinventing |
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the group's classic sound with contemporary beats, it received a |
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Grammy nomination for Best Tejano album, a feat the band would |
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repeat with the 2010 release, Cookin'; over the years, Tortilla has |
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also been recognized by the Latin Grammys and the Austin Chronicle |
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Music Awards, and Mr. Butler and Ham Guerrero were inducted into |
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the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, The group's comeback was cut short when Ham Guerrero |
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passed away on January 29, 2011; in the subsequent years, Alfredo |
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Guerrero has furthered the legacy of Tortilla Factory as its new |
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leader; and |
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WHEREAS, Tortilla Factory has left a lasting imprint on |
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Tejano music, and its anniversary presents a welcome opportunity to |
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recognize the band for contributing to the rich musical heritage of |
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the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tortilla |
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Factory and extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued |
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success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |