This is an opinion piece submitted by retired second-generation Tejano radio personality and journalist Abegail Chavarrilla. It was not written by Tejano Nation. To submit opinion pieces, please send them to John Henry Medina at jmedina@tejanonation.net.
To say that I am disappointed in the Tejano Music Awards is an understatement. Quite frankly, I’m outraged! The person receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award on October 21st is a convicted sex offender and a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.
There was a time when the TTMAs were considered a very prestigious event. Fans of Tejano music came from all over the country to show their love for all things Tejano. I love all kinds of music, especially Tejano music!
As a child in the early 70s, I grew up literally carrying my father Abel Chavarrilla’s records (vinyl) to do his radio show. I would answer the phone and take down dedications, Until one day my dad said, “Ok you’re ready togo on the air.” For almost 50 years I lived and breathed Tejano music. From KXTN in San Antonio, to KQQK in Houston, to Corpus Christi, Freeport and other small towns in between. I mention this because I would like everyone to know that while I am now retired, my Tejano credentials are solid.
After producing the awards for 43 years, the legacy of The Tejano Music Awards has been perpetually tarnished. The person receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award should not be receiving this award. Can you imagine if R Kelly were to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award? The world would be up in arms. Yes, Joe Lopez is a very talented singer and songwriter. Some people believe that since he did his jail time for his crime, all should be forgiven and Tejano music fans should forgive and forget and move on. What about the victim? She was 13 years old. She doesn’t have the luxury of moving on. What are we telling the young men and women in our communities? That men who commit this type of crime can pay the price by going to jail and be celebrated with accolades once they are out?
Joe Lopez is a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. The TTMA (Texas Talent Musicians Association) has the responsibility to make sure it is an 18 years of age and over show and that no minors will be allowed to attend. Imagine if this was your child. What is a “just penalty”?
As far as I am concerned, Joe Lopez lost his right to be celebrated and to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award the day he was convicted by a jury of his peers in the Rio Grande Valley.
Abegail Chavarrilla (retired)
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Tejano Nation 
No matter what he has done in the past, he is still a great artist and performe. How about you block all artists who have received a DUI, should we deny them because they are drunks ?.
Never thought my Raza would be like this, all goody two shoes, like they don’t have skeletons in their closets.
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I’m sure if they get nominated they will.
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AMEN TO THAT MR RAMOS WHAT JOE LOPEZ DID IN HIS PRIVITE LIFE HAS NO BEARRING ON HIS MUSIC CARRIER ARE WE GOING TO BLOCK A.B. QUINTANILLA FOR NOT PAYING CHILD SUPPORT AND HIS MANY ARESTS IN WICH THE AUTHORITIES HAVE EVEN EXTERDITED HIM FROM MEXICO ALSO EDDIE GONZALES SAME THING
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The past is the past and the future should not bare on the past
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you’re comparing a child rapist to goodie two shoes and dui?? What is wrong with you? Im sure you would think different if it was your kid. SMH
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Ok but DUI drinking while driving you can kill anyone when you get behind a wheel of a car that’s why they have protesters m.a.d.d. mother’s against drunk drivers. And there rewarded after serving their time
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Yes and DUI can kill someone also a child so why do they get rewarded
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I’m sure there’s plenty of them that have skeletons in their closets they just have not been caught up yet
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No denying he has amazing talent, too bad he could not contain himself and have boundaries. How does this happen? What IS the LESSON our youth should learn from this? Are good questions to ask ourselves.
My heart goes out to the victims who have to see this type of things after their abuser serves his time. I can only imagine, it must be difficult to watch while they still deal with the scars.
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Just because one person Tejano Host doesn’t like him , that doesn’t justify to disqualify him from receiving or being nominated for an award. Joe Lopez worked his way up there by the help of his fans. He paid for what he was accused of. His singing in public has nothing to do what goes on his private life. I don’t care for Tejano music but in my opinion Jimmy Edward was the best of all.
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This thing about the Tejano Life Time Achievement Award going to Joe Lopez. Yes Joe did work hard for it and contributed to the Tejano music scene. But Jimmy Gonzales should be getting it too. I was blessed to have work with MAZZ in the studio before and after Joe decided to leave. I learned a lot from Jimmy cause he did all the pre-production, writing, getting the musicians together, going over songs to pick from, telling the group how he wanted certain parts played and when. Jimmy spent a lot of time, countless hours/days before going into the studio planning out the recording n mixing of the music. Making sure everything was just right. Joe would come in and listen and make a few minor changes and lay down his voice and done. Jimmy would continue onto the mixing of the songs and preparing them for mastering. So i truly believe that if Joe has been nominated for that achievement award then Jimmy should get it also and even more so. I’m not sure but I think MAZZ didn’t when any Grammys until Jimmy went out on his own.
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U happy now coward? Tejanonation sucks! They have never really written anything positive about Joe….
Also I agree Both Joe and Jimmy should get that awards…. Grammys dont know shit about tejano…. and tejano awards had become the Freddie Records artist awards for a while
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Congrats tejano nation… yall have cause a division between the little tejano fans that were left…. Yall are pos!!!
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i think there lots of things to discuss concerning this matter.. but all and all what happens to the ones that were hurt and had impact in their lives.. sad
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