REMEMBERING OUR OWN TEJANO STARS

If you're wondering what the acronym "R.O.O.T.S." stands for at the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame, step inside and take a look. To date, dozens of Tejano greats from Flaco Jimenez and Ventura Alonzo (the "Queen of the Accordion") to Selena and Freddy Fender have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon musicians who have contributed to the popularity of South Texas' own musical style. The term "Tejano" refers to a Texan of Mexican descent and its namesake music blends the classic sounds of the Corrido and Mariachi with the distinct accordion-based polkas of eastern Europe, particularly Czech and German. The musical mix is a reflection of the Rio Grande Valley ethnicity in the early 1900s, comprised of migrant Europeans escaping the Mexican Revolution and the resident Hispanic population, resulting in a mash-up of cultures and musical styles. The museum, located in the Tropical Trail town of Alice, archives the culture of the Tejano music industry, efforts that play a major role in remembering our own Tejano stars.