Stefani Montiel | Courtesy photo
Hall of Fame singer Stefani Montiel will celebrate 30 years in the Tejano music industry this year with her Lone Star Nights Tour 2023.
Stefani shared the announcement via social media. “I’m excited to announce that 2023 marks a huge milestone in my career as I am celebrating my 30th year in Tejano Music,” she said. “As I look back I remember the excitement in being part of the Tejano Music scene and living in The Lone Star State to realize my dreams and here I am all these years later still living my dream and loving this beautiful industry! So with that said, in celebration of 30 years in the industry, I welcome you to Stefani Montiel’s Lone Star Nights Tour 2023.”
Montiel has spent three decades in Texas since her move from New Mexico to pursue a career in Tejano music. A career that includes numerous hit songs, many successful albums, three nominations each for the Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards, and of course multiple Tejano Music Awards, even an induction into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2013.
She began her music career at the age of 5 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, releasing her debut 45 single and was recently inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2022.
“It’s a true honor. It’s just such a blessing to be recognized for my contributions, not only to New Mexico music but what I’ve done since then as well which is of course Tejano music,” Montiel tells Tejano Nation. “(I’m) just very happy, honored and I feel so blessed to have been recognized for this accolade.”
The “Ay Papi” singer continues to innovate her sound with the creative production of her husband, award-winning hitmaker Gabriel Zavala. “We try, we have some really loyal fans out there and sometimes they’re like, ‘Well, that’s not Tejano,’ but what is Tejano anymore, you know,” she commented. “We have to keep innovating, we have to keep growing as an industry and that’s the only way we can capture the ear of people outside of Tejano and we need Tejano to grow and to continue to reach new places.”
Montiel has been a force in Tejano music over the past 30 years, bringing together many music genres to develop a unique fusion of sounds.
“That allowed me to just pool different styles and kind of create my own style and thankfully I’m still here doing it and it’s just been such — I keep saying blessing but it truly is — it’s a blessing to me because music has been a lifesaver for me. It’s my outlet and it’s where I feel more comfortable and that’s where I express myself. I’m just very fortunate to continue to do this after all of these years.”
Stefani Montiel plans to release new music soon, she recently recorded a duet with Los Musicales lead singer Cezar Martinez, and look for her in your town during the Lone Star Nights Tour 2023.
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