La Mafia and Emilio Navaira Tribute Make History at Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater in Dallas

On a historic night at the Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater in Dallas, La Mafia and a heartfelt tribute to Emilio Navaira—performed by his sons Diego Navaira and Emilio Navaira IV—made history as the first Latino acts to take the stage at the venue. Located beside the legendary Longhorn Ballroom, a stage that has welcomed some of the biggest names in global music, the evening marked a significant cultural milestone for the city and served as the 10th anniversary for Tejano Nation Radio affiliate Fierro HD.

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Leading up to the event, La Mafia had already built strong momentum with a highly successful tequila launch appearance in The Colony, where hundreds of fans gathered early, showing unwavering support and excitement for the group.

Armando Lichtenberger Jr and Oscar De La Rosa of La Mafia greet fans at tequila launch in The Colony, Texas. | Credit: Armando Barraza / Tejano Nation

In an exclusive conversation with Tejano Nation, Óscar De La Rosa and Armando Lichtenberger Jr. shared how meaningful the night was for them. They expressed their excitement about becoming the first Latino artists to perform at the Longhorn Backyard, especially given their history with the neighboring Longhorn Ballroom, where they performed back in the 1980s. For the band, the moment represented both a full-circle experience and a new chapter in their legacy.

La Mafia perform “Estas Tocando Fuego” at Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas, on March 28, 2026. | Credit: Armando Barraza pic.twitter.com/8NTW0Rnh93
— TejanoNation (@TejanoNation) March 30, 2026

Óscar also revealed that he is currently working on a solo album titled Si Fueran Mías, a collection of covers featuring some of his favorite songs. The first single, “Me Gusta Estar Contigo,” is a classic written by Juan Gabriel and famously performed by Rocío Dúrcal. He shared an exclusive detail, noting that the norteño-style instrumentation on the track was recorded by Los Palominos.

Additionally, Óscar revealed another exclusive: the upcoming album will feature a very special duet.

“I’m going to record a duet with my favorite artist since I was a child—a true legend of Tejano music, whom I consider the king of the Tejano wave, the one and only Little Joe. I believe he doesn’t always receive the recognition he truly deserves, because he is the greatest of all of us.”

For Emilio Navaira’s sons, the night carried deep emotional weight as the 10th anniversary of their father’s passing approaches. Their tribute honored his legacy with passion and authenticity, creating a powerful connection with longtime fans and introducing his music to a new generation.

Official Emilio Navaira tribute band, featuring his sons Emilio IV and Diego Navaira, perform “Esperando Su Llamada” at Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas, on March 28, 2026. Credit: Armando Barraza pic.twitter.com/Ajp87Q5OHr
— TejanoNation (@TejanoNation) March 30, 2026

From beginning to end, the crowd was electric. Fans fully immersed themselves in both performances, turning the night into an unforgettable celebration of Tejano music. La Mafia delivered a completely sold-out show and, for more than two hours, took the audience on a journey through the timeless hits that have defined their career. Song after song, they reaffirmed why they remain one of the most iconic Tejano and Latino bands of all time, with a legacy that continues to resonate worldwide.

Currently, La Mafia is on their “Epic” Tour—marking their 46th tour and celebrating 46 years in the music industry. The tour will continue across the United States, Mexico, and South America, bringing their legendary sound to fans throughout the continent.

Following the overwhelming success of the event, it was also announced that the Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater is already preparing additional concerts. Among the names rumored to be part of upcoming shows are Bobby Pulido, Jennifer Peña, and Joe Lopez, signaling that the venue is quickly becoming a new hotspot for Tejano and Latino music.

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