Fiestas en la calle
We attended on N. Main Street. Los Tucanes de Tijuana, El Rayo de Oro, Helen Ochoa, Jonatan Sanchez, Kent and Tony were among performed during the event.
This was a family day. Small children were everywhere. Some were listening to the headline acts, others visited the sponsors and the rest just enjoyed the pre-Fall sunny So Cal day. We checked out everything that was on offer and collected our share of take-home items. McDonalds dispensed coffee – which I desperately needed after the long, overnight drive. Our interaction with Ronald McDonald was a big hit on Instagram – follow us at image and Style Magazine to see the clip. 7Up was very generous – handing out full size versions of their product. Dr. Pepper set up a trailer to hand out video games as well as samples of their product. Walmart had a make-up booth set up complete with make-up artists. Lastly, Kellogg appealed to the younger set by handing out Pop-Tarts and samples of their cereals.
Fans started lining up as early as 9:30am for a chance to meet and take a picture with their favorite performers. As press, we were afforded the opportunity to ask a few questions, so we broke out our bilingual capability and had a go.
Opening act Ben Anthony (who would later struggle with a wonky microphone and Sound) spoke with us before going on stage.
I&S: For those who do not know you or have not heard you sing, tell us a bit about yourself.
BA: I’m from Toronto Canada. I sing a little bit of tropical music, like Reggaeton and Bachata. I am here today to perform live in Los Angeles at the Latin Grammy Street Paty.
I&S: Who are your idols growing up?
BA: Oh for sure Enrique Iglesias. Drake is from Toronto, so he is a great inspiration. Having someone like that from your hometown is inspiring.
I&S: Toronto, Canada. You are a long way from home. Were you born there?
BA: Yes, I was born in Toronto, but my parents are from Central America (El Salvador).
I&S: Where can people find you and your music?
BA: You can find me on Facebook and YouTube, or Just Google “Ben La Voz”.
Regional Mexican Banda Music singer Helen Oachoa spoke with us. She was born in the tiny town of Mendota, on the outskirts of Fresno, CA. Her passion for music started at the young age of four and the rest is history.
I&S: How old were you when you started performing?
HO: I started singing when I was four, but When they discovered my talent I was 8. Mia Sister I I was in the kitchen making a sandwich and my sister heard me. She said to “me hey turn off the radius, not the radio” I responded it’s not the radio it’s me, and she was like “what”? It cannot be. When my parents came home that evening she told them “Helen sings seriously” At first I didn’t take too seriously like most kids I just liked to sing. They began taking me to singing competitions. In 2006 I traveled to Puerto Rico to compete in a reality show, but my big break came when I moved to Los Angeles. I joined an agency and met Gabby Lopez. Gabby started introduced me to people in the industry one which was her husband who is the Owner of of Persistent agency, Which is what brought me here to day to perform at the Latin Grammy Street Party. I am full of Joy I feel blessed.
I&S: What was it about the Mexican Band genre of music that attracted, because with your voice there are many you could easily sing?
HO: I was raised with it. Well the truth is it’s something in my blood. It’s part of my culture.
We caught Regional Mexican Banda singer Jonatan Sánchez on his way to the stage.
I&S: How old were you when you embarked on you music career?
JS: I started my career when I began focusing on music when I was twelve years old. I started singing rock music with my friends, but then I realized that Mexican music was the genre I had a passion for.
I&S: Where do you get your inspiration?
JS: Everything in reality…let’s just say Novelas, TV shows, personal experiences as well as other people’s experiences. There are songs I have written that speak to situations I have never lived through. I don’t know how they pop in to my head.
I&S: Who were your idols when you were younger? Give me three of your favorite artists.
JS: Marco Antonio Solis – he is a great inspiration, great talent, and a legend. Another one is Antonio Aguilar – he was a great influence…I used to listen to him a lot. And, obviously, the great Vicente Fernandez.
A person who inspired me and really changed my life was Noel Torrez. I have always looked up to him. I sent him a message asking him for an opportunity and he invited me to one of his performances…and once I was there he invited me to sing. I was like Wow! Wow! Wow! What? I went on stage and even forgot the lyric – that’s how nervous I was. It was super cool. It was a great experience.
I&S: Do your write your own lyrics?
JS: I do.
The Latin Music Festival Series is presented by 7UP and McDonalds along with Official Sponsors Walmart, Cricket Wireless and Kellogg’s.
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers s and other creative and technical professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community.
The 15th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, November 20th, from 8 to 11pm EST on Univision.
Links:
http://www.LatinGRAMMY.com
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2014 Latin Grammy’s – Fiestas en la calle – makes five stops across the country: Chicago, Illinois (10/5); Dallas, Texas (10/12); Los Angeles, CA (10/19); Phoenix, Arizona (11/2) and Hialeah, Florida (11/9).
