Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa Garcia.
Elsa, a Grammy Nominated and award-winning Tejano singer and producer, is originally from “Monterrey, Mexico”, and moved to Houston when she was a child. She is a natural born artist and was destined to be a singer/ songwriter for the simple fact that she was born into a musical family. Her mother is known as Hermelinda “LINDA LA NORTEÑA” Escamilla, who is also a singer/songwriter and her brother, Joe Carlos “JC” Almanza, who sang backup vocals for her.
She got her start when the lead singer for her husband’s band had throat problems. She had been to all the rehearsals and knew the material. So her husband and the band members asked her to sing “You have to sing” they said, so she did. Then little by little, she started building her confidence. She more than built up her confidence, she made a major career out of it, which includes producing and arranging her own material and she made history by becoming the first female producer in the Tejano music industry. She became one of the hottest Onda Grupera acts in the United States and Mexico and still garners over a million & a half hits on YouTube because of loyal fans.
Elsa has triumphed over many adversities for a female artist in the Hispanic music market. In 1991, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for her “SIMPLEMENTE” CD. Her long and hard work kept paying off into ’93 and 94. The release of her CD, “NI MAS NI MENOS”, in 93 was a great success. It brought her, her First Gold CD with the hit song “YA TE VI”. Her music was released in Mexico City in August of ’93 and by the end of September; she placed second in the Nielsen ratings in Mexico with her single “Todavia”. In the same year, she was nominated for “PRODUCER” of the year at the 14th Annual Tejano Music Awards”. This set a precedent for being the first female artist to be nominated in this category, which was followed by TWO GOLD RECORDS in ’94. One gold record was for her hit single, “TODAVIA”, off the “PASION” CD and the other of the “ESCAPATE CONMIGO” CD for the mega-hit single “ESCAPATE”. Elsa’s 12 GREATEST HITS” CD was released in October of 1994, and it features her most popular and recognized work. In 1998, she continued by releasing another CD titled “ELSA”. She received TRES DISCOS DE ORO (3 Gold Albums) in her first three years with Capital/EMI Latin.
She was the First Hispanic Artist to have a doll made of her likeness that was unveiled at a historic worldwide press conference in 1996 during a press conference in Houston, Texas. She has toured with many well-known international artists and performed on the same shows and stages as Selena and made history when she was part of the “Selena” Tribute in Houston, TX at the “Astrodome” on May 29, 1995.
Her first major concert took place in Mexico, Monterrey; N.L. where over 80,000 people came to see her perform. To this day this is one of her most memorable moments in her of her career and for the Tejano music industry. This set the stage for Elsa’s tours in the Republic of Mexico with groups such as La Mafia, Bronco, Los Tigeres Del Norte, Liberacion, Temerarios, Ramon Ayala, Invasores De Nuevo Leon, and many more.
Elsa has performed on some of the most important TV shows in the USA, Mexico, and South America and is one of the few Onda Grupera Artists who has gotten airplay on both Tejano and Mexican/Regional radio stations. She made history by being the first Tejano Female Artist to earn four consecutive Gold Albums for, “NI MAS NI MENOS” – 1993, “PASION” – 1994,-“ESCAPATE” – 1995, and “DIEZ” – 1996.
In 1995, the Mayor of Houston proclaimed October 24th, Elsa Garcia Day.
With 11 albums, Grammy Nomination, and 4 Gold album, she has made history a few times over and has received numerous awards including being inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2011.
In 2012, she celebrated the culmination of her career by being honored by TTMA – The Tejano Music Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2015, she formally can call herself a contributing writer as she formed part of a #1 Bestseller “The DNA of Achievers-10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals” By Mathew Knowles (Beyoncé’s Dad). She contributed in the “Pasion” section of the book.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Never a ‘smooth’ road when you are on a mission into the unknown adventures of the Music world. Logistics, vehicle or equipment breakdowns are just a few of the Challenges/Obstacles involved.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Music recording, promoting then performing to survive.
What I am most proud of is that my career goals were far surpassed and way beyond what I could have ever imagined possible.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
To always be prepared for changes. Most touring schedules always had to be tweaked because it is human-driven.
Contact Info:
- Website: elsagarciamusic.com
- Phone: 713-699-3765
- Email: elsagarcia5@yahoo.com
- Instagram: elsagarcia5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.garcia.18659
- Twitter: elsaelsagarcia5
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
