Ramón Hernández Tejano Music Collection

The Ramón Hernández Tejano Music Collection spans 1922-2019, with the bulk of materials ranging from 1985-2019, the period when Hernández was most active in the Tejano music industry. The collection is divided into 12 series as seen below. Researchers are urged to look at each series, as material about individual musicians may be found in multiple locations.

A quick note on terminology. The initials RH are used frequently to denote material that is either created by or related to Hernández himself. The material described as “mounted” in the finding aid indicates that it is affixed on foamcore and was likely once displayed.

I. Artist Files II. Posters and Oversize Materials III. Record Labels IV. Media Outlets V. Ramón Hernández Research Files VI. Awards VII. Events VIII.Merchandise IX. Promotional Material X. Publications XI. Costumes XII. Artifacts/Framed material

Series Descriptions

Series I: Artists Files, 1922-2019, undated Boxes 1-155

Artist Files comprise the bulk of the collection. The files are separated into Male Artist Files and Female Artist Files to maintain Hernández’s original order. Both series are then arranged alphabetically by artist last name or band name. Although the series is titled Artists Files, there are also entrepreneurs, community leaders, promoters, street performers, and many others represented.

The material found in each artist file varies greatly. For artists that Hernández worked with, there are typically hundreds of his photographs (both portraits and of performances), drafts of publicity material, and design ideas for album covers. The contents of larger files are typically sorted into the following broader subseries: Personal, Photographs, Concert and Event Publicity, Albums, Publicity, Ramón Hernández Material, Clippings, Audiovisual material, and Promotional Material. Note: not every artist file has each type of material.

• Personal includes autographs, business cards, correspondence, and other such material. • Photographs consist of both snapshots and portraits (most taken by Hernández) along with publicity photographs. • Concert and Event Publicity consists of tickets, flyers, publicity cards, programs, and other publicity material for concerts and other events. • Albums can consist of album covers ranging from 45 records to CDs and also publicity materials for particular albums. • Publicity contains press releases, artist biographies, press kits, and any other material that could be seen as promoting the artist. • Ramón Hernández Material is anything that Hernández created about the artist, including, but not limited to, article and artist biography drafts, design ideas for albums and publicity material, and correspondence. • Clippings the majority of clippings come from the San Antonio Express-News, La Prensa de San Antonio, and Street Talk, however there are some national, and a few international clippings, especially for Little Joe Hernandez. Published articles by Hernández are also found here. • Audiovisual Material typically contains promotional CDs or cassettes.

The initials RH found in smaller files, denote that the item is either created by or related to Hernández

There is also a small subseries includes oversize portraits of artists (many taken by Hernández). The arrangement mimics the arrangement of the previous series by separating the male and female artists and then arranging the portraits alphabetically.

Series II: Posters and Oversized Materials, 1948-2018, undated Boxes 156-164 and map case drawers 36-44

This series can be seen as a continuation of the Artists Files, but with material that does not fit in standard document boxes. There are two exceptions to this: the majority of boxes, including the oversized ones, for Little Joe Hernandez (boxes 33-46) and Selena (boxes 121-142) are housed within Series I: Artists Files due to the sheer quantity of material, but as with all artists, materials related to them can be found in many series.

As mentioned, mounted posters are those adhered to foamcore for easier display, possibly for exhibit in Hernández’s Hispanic Entertainment Archive.

This series is divided into Artist Posters, Mounted Posters, Concert Posters, and Oversized Material

• Artist Posters (boxes 156-161) are separated into male and female artists and then arranged alphabetically. The majority of the material found in the series are posters, advertisements and other publicity material, and LP record covers. Many are signed by the artist.

• Oversized Posters are separated into male and female artists and arranged alphabetically and housed in map case drawers.

• Concert Posters (Boxes 161-163 and oversized) span 1948-2018 and are arranged chronologically. Oversized concert posters are housed in the map cases.

• Oversized Material (Box 164 and oversized) includes advertisements, clippings, and mounted photographs, clippings, advertisements and is arranged alphabetically by artist. The majority of the material is housed in the map cases.

Series III: Record Labels, 1950-2016, undated Boxes 165-171

Arranged alphabetically by record label, this series contains promotional material, business documents, and catalogs from prominent Tejano record labels. Hacienda Records is particularly well-represented. Also, of note is correspondence from Carmen Marroquin (of the sister musical act Carmen and Laura) whose husband Armando Marroquin founded Ideal Records.

Series IV: Media Outlets, 1964-2014, undated Boxes 172-177

The bulk of the series is radio station press kits and promotional material. There are a small number of TV stations, news outlets, and film production companies also included. The many radio station coverage maps that span all across Texas are unexpected highlights of this series.

Series V: Ramón Hernández Material, 1972-2017, undated Boxes 178-180

Included are Hernández’s research files, calendar with appointments, and oversize material, including a sign for the Hispanic Entertainment Hall of Fame exhibit and a foamcore exhibit display.

Series VI: Awards, 1979-2017, undated Boxes 181-192

Arranged alphabetically by award ceremony name, and then chronologically. Publicity material for music award ceremonies, such as the Grammys, Latin Grammys, Tejano Music Awards, and Noche de Fiesta Tejana comprise the bulk of this series. Of note are the business records of the Texas Talent Musicians Association as they created the Tejano Music Awards. Boxes 189-192 contain awards, arranged chronologically.

Series VII: Events, 1982-2018, undated Boxes 193-196

This series contains photographs, schedules, publicity material, and clippings for events and conferences. The Tejano Conjunto Festival is particularly well-represented. It is arranged alphabetically, and then chronologically.

Series VIII: Merchandise, 1987-2018, undated Boxes 197-205

Arranged alphabetically by artist, the bulk of the series are commemorative t-shirts. There is a small collection of other branded clothing that includes hats, patches, and women’s underwear.

Series IX: Promotional Material, 1990-1998, [bulk undated] Boxes 206-216

This series consists of promotional material from various radio stations, record labels, and other companies such as pens and pencils, keychains, and even maracas. There is also a considerable selection of promotional cups and mugs, many that commemorate concerts and festivals.

Series X: Publications, 1981-2016, undated Boxes 217-222

Arranged alphabetically by title, and then chronologically. Unless noted, all are full issues. Publications with longer runs (including Latin Connection,Street Talk, Que Onda, Nuestra Musica, and TGN) have been added to the Wittliff’s book collection to be cataloged and are available for use onsite.

Series XI: Costumes, undated Items 001-104

Costumes are arranged alphabetically by artist. Many of the costumes were worn on stage and range from the highly elaborate and detailed to a more Western-influenced style. Some of the many highlights are an intricately beaded dress worn by Rosita Fernandez, multiple custom-made jumpsuits worn by Little Joe Hernandez, a multicolored sequined jacket with pink satin pants worn by Jamie De Anda, a faux leather jacket emblazoned with “Rockstar Angel” worn by Shelley Lares, and a pink Western-style button-down shirt with red acid-washed jeans worn by Emilio Navaira. There is also a small number of T-shirts worn by artists, some with political or activist messages.

The subseries of costume accessories is further separated into hats, shoes, and miscellaneous accessories, including Freddie Martinez’s ties, Emilio Navaira’s belt with a belt buckle, Oscar Martinez’s sunglasses, and Steve Jordan’s eyepatch.

Series XII: Artifacts and Framed Material, 1983-1997, undated

Arranged alphabetically by artist. The artifacts include Hugo Guerrero’s accordion and instrument cases and a public address speaker signed by Michael Salgado and Isidro “El Indio” Lopez, respectively. There is also a life-size cardboard cut-out Coca-Cola advertisement featuring Selena and two cardboard movie posters for the Selena film.

Framed material includes paintings, photographs, and posters. Rosita Fernandez is particularly well-represented with a portrait painted by Frank Puente Harris, an illustrated song dedicated to her by David Kresh, and an event poster for her 60th Anniversary at La Villita Assembly Hall. There are also posters of Freddie Martinez and Selena. As well as a framed copy of Siempre Tu Eres CD by Jackie y Los Romanticos. It is also arranged alphabetically by artist.