Behind the Mic with Shelly Lares, Allie, and El Gallo Dez

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Shelly Lares retires. 

After 40 long years of singing/songwriting, recording, and touring as Shelly puts it, “I’m not on the road as an artist anymore.” She accomplished a longtime goal as the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Famer signs the first artists to her Shellshock Records 3 label.

First up from Conroe Texas 12-year-old singing sensation Allie with her catchy single “Mi Fascinacion,” then all the way from Pico Rivera, California singer-songwriter El Gallo Dez with his debut single “Rogando Por Tu Amor” becoming the first artist on the roster for the San Antonio-based record label, Shellshock Records 3. Go Behind the Mic with Shelly Lares, Allie, and El Gallo Dez.

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Behind The Mic with Eric Schwartz

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Eric Schwartz goes beyond traditional comedy with his undeniably entertaining mix of stand-up, music, and multimedia. Straight off the release of his anticipated stand-up special “Delivery,” he tours the country on his Delivery Tour. Eric has appeared on Tonight Show, Showtime, Hulu, and BET. and was the tour opener for Jo Koy’s Just Kidding World Tour in six countries.

One of the most creative and original comedians working today, Eric has earned the description, “everything there is to love about entertainment” (First Order Historians).  GQ India names him one of “5 International Comics You Must Catch.” E! News Daily host Ryan Seacrest said Schwartz is “rocking the web” with “video that’s got everyone Googling” and Forbes.com applauds him for having “a minor industry in pop music parodies.”

A product of America’s melting pot, Eric was raised on the outskirts of Los Angeles in a Jewish and Mexican family during the golden age of hip hop. His entertainment career began when he spent his Bar Mitzvah money on DJ gear and began entertaining at parties and school dances, and eventually became one of the most popular DJs at entertainment-industry events. Not content to only speak with his hands, Eric never hesitated at an opportunity to get on the mic and make the audience laugh.

These would be the seeds to grow Eric’s style of musical comedy, leading him to television appearances on Showtime, The Tonight Show, Comics Unleashed, BET, and his one-hour special, “Surrender to the Blender,” on Hulu.  A pioneer of viral video, Eric has racked up over 100 million views on his stand-up clips, music videos, and sketches.  He has created content for and with Grammy-winner Jason Mraz, Jo Koy, Tiffany Haddish, Craig Robinson, Anjelah Johnson, Disney, Yahoo, Google, and more.

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Behind The Mic with Juan Carlos Villegas of Negami

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Juan Carlos Villegas (Grupo Negami) is aTejano Roots Hall of Famer, Class of 2019. He started in the biz at the age of 19. Thirty years later, he’s still grinding more than ever.

Houston has something so innovative, and so energetic that it’s twisting and turning the sometimes stifling image of Tejano music backward, forward, and on its head.

Already a hit in many Mexican cities. Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Reynosa, Monterrey and San Luis Potosi have put videos and singles near the top of the charts. It’s called Negami.

Houston es una de las ciudades más grandes y productivas del estado de Texas y es ahí donde gracias a su mezcla de gente hispanoamericana nace “la nueva imagen de la música” quien lleva por nombre NEGAMI

NEGAMI aspira llegar hasta donde su publico lo diga, ya que gracias a sus seguidores el sueño no se detiene desde sus inicios, por que gracias a los amigos de la radio, prensa y medios de comunicación y sobre todo gracias a sus fans siguen en el camino de la música de NEGAMI.

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Behind the Mic with Solido

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SOLIDO! Ben De León, Rolo Benavides, and Amado ‘Chikis” Garza have been busy with two new albums, tours, and several collaborations with Poder del Norte, Grupo Secreto, and more. 

From November 2018:

After almost 20 years, 12 CDs, and two Grammys later, Grupo Solido remains at the top of their game that’s SOLID!

Ben de Leon, Rolando Benavidez, and Amado Garza Jr. aka Chikis sit down and chat with AC Cruz about the trials and tribulations of the road, the business, and even some New Year’s resolutions.

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Behind the Mic with Isabel Marie

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Since we talked to her last she’s now 20yrs young, a Latin Grammy nominee, finishing a new CD, and back on the road doing The Music of Selena with a symphony. 

Before all that at 17 years old, she’s already been named the My Tejano Awards’ Top Female Artist, Tejano Music Awards Best New Female Artist, and nominated in three categories for Album, Song of the Year, and more. Don’t miss this episode as we go Behind the Mic with Isabel Marie on The AC Cruz Podcast.

(From August 2020)

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Behind The Mic with Pablo Urbina of La Traizion

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Pablo Urbina is a singer-songwriter and musician. The lead vocalist first, then drums, keyboards, and rhythm guitar, mostly to write songs for the group La Traizion. He is also an event coordinator, booking agent, and sound technician for concerts big or small. Chatting new music, new shows, upcoming festivals with some of your favorite artists, and much more on this episode of The AC Cruz Podcast. 

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Behind the Mic with Letty Guval & Chris DeLuna

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This incredible musician/vocalist left the Tejano music scene at the top of her game and it wasn’t easy for her drummer, now husband, to do the same. Letty is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, her journey to get there actually started 30 years ago. Chris’ story is not too far behind. These are the trials and tribulations of Letty Guval & Chris DeLuna on the AC Cruz Podcast.

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Behind the Mic with Ricky & Ruben Naranjo Los Gamblers

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In 1993, Ricky Naranjo began playing the drums for his father, Ruben Naranjo. He soon found himself booking gigs for Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers, and managing the band as well. Upon the passing of his father in 1998, many fans began to ask Ricky not if he was going to continue the band, but when. Ricky found himself in a tough position and decided that continuing the group was what his father would have wanted him to do. Thus Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers began.

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Behind The Mic with Grupo Control

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It’s another exclusive for The AC Cruz Podcast con El Grupo Control! Sergio, his daughter Jennifer & the rest of the band chat new music, collaborations, and K-Pop a whole new vibe for Control often referred to as “Los Reyes de la Cumbia” with hits like Tú No Me lo Das, Cumbia Con la Luna, El Tao Tao and so many more to mention. Join us as we go behind the scenes and Behind the Mic with Control.

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*Bonus Episode* Roberto Pulido’s Bday

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It’s Roberto Pulido’s Bday 

Ram Herrera, Lucky Joe, Chente Barrera, David Farias even Bobby Pulido doing their best impersonation of ‘El Primo’ and a couple of stories on how Roberto inspired them on a special Bday Episode

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