Choice of musicians upsets some

HOUSTON (KTRK) (KTRK) -- It's one of the most popular events at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but some are angry about the musicians chosen for Tejano Day.

That event is scheduled for March 16, but some are upset there aren't any Tejano stars actually on the lineup. They met with rodeo officials to find out why that happened.

For more than an hour and a half rodeo officials met behind closed doors with County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and State Senator Mario Gallegos.

"Obviously we're not happy this has happened," Garcia said.

Garcia says her office has received a number of calls from people concerned that there are no Tejano artists on the rodeo's calendar this year, a fact she personally finds offensive.

"It's part of our history, it's part of our culture for all Texans," Garcia said. "So for us 'Go Tejano Day' means Tejano music."

But unlike years past, the artists performing this year on 'Go Tejano Day' play not only Tejano. Duelo & Los Horoscopos de Durango play a mix of genres, including Tejano.

In prior years, Tejano groups have packed the rodeo. But rodeo officials say the genre has declined in popularity in recent years. They say the decision about what groups to book was based entirely in economics.

Leroy Shafer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo explained, "We're going to put the entertainment on the stage that can sell the most seats and appeal to the widest audience."

That answer wasn't acceptable to Garcia or Gallegos, who we've learned are also now questioning if scholarships to Hispanics are awarded often enough.

State Senator Gallegos said, "Input from the Go Tejano Committee -- did they have a say in where the money goes? Did they have a say in where they scholarships go? Did they have a say in who picks the Tejano stars?"

Rodeo officials say they will continue adding a Tejano performer on Go Tejano Day. It's unclear at this time if that will happen.

You can find the full list of RodeoHouston entertainers and more on abc13.com.

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