Johnny Canales Documentary Premieres at Dallas International Film Festival

Nora Canales and daughters with Michael Salgado and Ernie Salgado at Dallas International Film Festival. | Armando Barraza / Tejano Nation

DALLAS, TX — The Dallas International Film Festival was the stage for the highly anticipated world premiere of Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood, a heartfelt documentary chronicling the incredible life and enduring legacy of Johnny Canales, one of Tejano music’s most influential figures.

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The 73-minute film takes viewers on a powerful journey through Johnny’s humble beginnings, his rise to fame as the groundbreaking host of The Johnny Canales Show, and his profound impact on Spanish-language television and Hispanic culture. With intimate interviews featuring Tejano legends such as Michael Salgado, Bobby Pulido, Intocable, and Abraham Quintanilla, the documentary paints a vivid portrait of a man who opened doors for countless Latino artists and brought Tejano music to an international audience.

Beyond the celebration of his triumphs, Take It Away also candidly addresses the struggles Johnny faced, including the eventual cancellation of The Johnny Canales Show and the legal battles that followed. Through it all, the film honors Johnny’s resilience and his lasting contribution to Hispanic pride and representation in the media.

The premiere at the historic Texas Theatre was a deeply emotional affair. Nora Canales, Johnny’s wife, along with their daughters and Johnny’s sister, attended the screening. Nora, moved to tears by the documentary’s touching portrayal of her husband’s journey, described it as a moment of overwhelming pride and joy.

An emotional Nora Canales, wife of late Tejano icon Johnny Canales, speaks at the world premiere of the “Take It Away: Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood” at the Dallas International Film Festival on Sunday, April 27. Credit: Armando Barraza/Special to Tejano Nation pic.twitter.com/ee0xFzIewm
— TejanoNation (@TejanoNation) April 28, 2025

Co-directors Adrian Arredondo and Myrna Pérez were also present, expressing immense gratitude for the warm reception and the outpouring of support from fans and community members.

Nora Canales and daughter with co-directors Myrna Perez and Adrian Arredondo | Armando Barraza / Tejano Nation

Following its powerful debut, Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood is set to tour across the United States, with screenings scheduled in cities like Austin, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, giving more audiences the chance to celebrate the man who famously encouraged a generation with his iconic phrase: “You got it, take it away!”

For fans of Johnny Canales and lovers of Tejano music, this documentary is more than a film—it’s a vital piece of cultural history.

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