Fourteen-year-old singer Gabriella Salazar paid tribute to one of her influences during a performance in Española, New Mexico on July 14.

Award-winning singer Ernestine Romero was murdered by her estranged husband in a murder-suicide July 11 and Salazar wanted to honor the late Tejano star with a beautiful and heartfelt performance of “En El Cielo” posted online by Backyard Films.

“Ms. Ernestine (Romero) was an inspiration to ALL of us young artists,” Salazar said. “May her music live on forever.”

Romero’s mother, Olivia Romero, commented on the performance video, “Thank you so much Gabriella, great job,” she said. “Reach for the stars hita, Ernestine and all of us are so proud of you.”

Salazar is an award-winning singer from Taos, New Mexico. Her debut single, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain (Gracias al Sol)” won Crossover Song of the Year at the New Mexico Hispano Music Awards in January. Her current single “Bandido,” a fun, upbeat cumbia, reached the top spot of the New Mexico Top 20 for KDCE-FM on July 6.

Like Tejano Nation on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our playlists on Spotify and Soundcloud.

WATCH: Gabriella Salazar pays tribute to Ernestine Romero

---