Jesse Turner Exclusive Tejano Nation Interview
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HARLINGEN, TX — Jesse Turner, the frontman of the popular Tejano band Grupo Siggno, shared the details of a devastating experience the band faced in September after theft of equpment and merchandise in a candid conversation with Tejano Nation photojournalist Mariaelena Villarreal. Their valuable music equipment was stolen, plunging the band into financial and emotional turmoil. Turner discussed the incident in-depth, revealing his journey from frustration to acceptance and, ultimately, his decision to ask for community support.
The Incident: Stolen Equipment and the Devastating Realization
It all began in late September when Grupo Siggno had just finished a show in Premont, Texas. Due to unforeseen circumstances, including a breakdown of their tour bus in Florida, the band had to rent a U-Haul truck to transport their sound equipment. This rental truck, which was parked securely at their storage facility overnight, became the target of a determined thief. Turner explained that the truck was stolen between 4:30 and 8:00 a.m. the following morning.
The thief managed to break the lock on the back of the U-Haul, inspect the contents, and then break the driver’s side window. After hot-wiring the truck, the thief drove off with over $250,000 worth of sound equipment, lighting, and merchandise. “It was a lot of gear. A lot of cables, an RCF sound system, lights, and even $18,000 worth of merchandise, including t-shirts and promotional items,” Turner detailed. Despite the extensive loss, some good news came with the fact that the band’s personal instruments—like their accordions, drums, and bass—were not in the U-Haul at the time of the theft.
The theft left Turner and his team heartbroken, not just over the loss of their valuable equipment but also over the potential setback to their careers and livelihood. With surveillance footage from the storage facility and nearby businesses, police were able to track down the thief, but at the time of the interview, the band still had not recovered their equipment.
The Decision to Wait: A Message About Patience and Process
Initially, Turner chose not to launch a fundraising campaign, despite the overwhelming support from the community. “When people first started suggesting that I start a GoFundMe, I was hesitant. I didn’t want to give off the wrong impression,” Turner shared. He explained that he wanted to allow the legal process to unfold before considering any outside assistance. Drawing from personal experience, Turner mentioned his son’s accident in 2016, where well-meaning offers of financial help could have interfered with government aid. This led him to be cautious about turning to the community for donations prematurely.
“I wanted to wait, let the law do its job. I believed the police would catch the thief. The amount of gear stolen was too significant for it to disappear without a trace,” he explained.
The Challenge of Insurance: Unforeseen Gaps in Coverage
As the investigation dragged on, Turner faced another harsh reality: the U-Haul insurance he had purchased was not going to cover the situation. “We thought we were covered for theft, but the insurance policy had a loophole. The truck would have had to be burned with the equipment inside for it to qualify for coverage,” he said, revealing the frustration of discovering that his policy didn’t apply to the specific nature of the theft.
Adding to the strain, Turner explained that two years prior, the band had gone through financial difficulties due to bad management, which forced them to start over. As a result, they could not afford comprehensive insurance on their growing list of equipment. While they had been able to pay off some equipment, the band had continued to add more sound and lighting gear, bringing the total value of their setup to over $250,000. “When we started two years ago, we couldn’t afford insurance. You never expect something like this to happen. You worry about weather, but not about theft,” Turner said.
With no insurance coverage for the stolen gear and limited financial resources, Grupo Siggno found themselves in a tough situation, facing mounting costs and obligations for equipment they no longer had.
The Breaking Point: Asking the Community for Help
After over a month of waiting for answers and with no recovery of the stolen equipment in sight, Turner reached a breaking point. “I felt broken,” he admitted, expressing the emotional toll of the experience. He explained that it wasn’t just about the lost equipment, but the burden of knowing that they had to start from scratch. While the band was still praying for a miracle and holding out hope that their gear might be recovered, the reality was that it was likely gone for good.
“Am I down for the battle? Yes, I’m down for it. But I wish I didn’t have to be. It’s an uphill climb,” Turner said, his voice heavy with emotion. He reflected on how, despite his desire to work for everything, the situation had left him with no other choice but to ask for help. “I don’t like to ask for help. I like to work for it. But at this point, I have to,” Turner admitted.
Turner made the difficult decision to set up a GoFundMe campaign for the band, aiming to raise $100,000. He acknowledged the difficulty of reaching this goal but emphasized the pressing need. “We still have payments to make on the equipment. It’s not like we have money just sitting in the bank,” he said. The decision to ask the community for financial assistance was not one that came easily, but Turner was clear that it was necessary for the band to continue.
The Road Ahead: A Long Journey to Recovery
While Turner is grateful for the support of his fans and the progress made in identifying the thief, the road ahead remains uncertain. With no clear answers on the recovery of the stolen equipment and the financial strain continuing to weigh on the band, Grupo Siggno faces a difficult challenge.
But despite the hardships, Turner remains hopeful. “I’m grateful that I’m alive, that my bandmates are safe, and that we can still continue to fight for what we love,” he said, underscoring the resilience and determination that have carried Grupo Siggno through difficult times before.
As the legal process unfolds and the band rebuilds from the ground up, the community’s support will likely play a crucial role in helping Grupo Siggno regain their footing. For now, Turner remains focused on the future, determined to overcome the obstacles that have been thrown in his path.
The Community’s Support: A Lifeline Amidst the Struggles
Despite the overwhelming sense of loss and frustration, Jesse Turner found solace in the kindness and generosity of the community. While Grupo Siggno still faced the massive challenge of replacing stolen equipment, the outpouring of support from friends, fellow musicians, and fans provided a much-needed ray of hope.
Turner specifically mentioned a local figure, Leon from LG Productions and Entertainment in San Antonio, who, along with several others, offered equipment to the band in their time of need. “People are so kind,” Turner said, reflecting on the numerous offers of support from individuals across Texas. From local DJs to other musicians, many reached out, offering not only gear but also words of encouragement and assistance. “There were companies in Houston saying, ‘Just take all our gear, Jesse. You don’t have to give us anything.’ They know how hard it is to recover from a loss like this,” Turner explained.
This kindness wasn’t limited to just equipment; it extended to moral support from others who had faced similar struggles, including the band Los Pescadores, who had experienced a theft of their own. “I feel for them,” Turner shared. “They never recovered their equipment either, but we have to stay hopeful. Sometimes it’s just the way things go.”
The Reality of Judgment and Perseverance
While the community’s support was heartening, Turner also acknowledged the challenges that came with public scrutiny. As a well-known figure in the Tejano music scene, Turner was no stranger to judgment, but he remained resolute. “People are always so quick to judge. They want to play investigator, point fingers, and offer opinions,” Turner said. “But they don’t understand what it’s like to be in my position. They don’t know how hard we’ve worked, or how much we’ve given back to our community.”
Turner expressed his frustration with the ease of negativity and judgment in today’s social media-driven world. “Sometimes people just want to tear others down, instead of showing support,” he added. Despite this, Turner remained focused on the bigger picture—rebuilding and continuing his band’s journey.
“I have thick skin. What people say doesn’t break me. But I do feel it’s important to address these things. There’s a lot of work and heart that goes into what we do,” he said, underscoring the importance of understanding the complexities of the music business, especially in moments of hardship.
How the Community Can Help
As the holiday season approaches, many fans of Grupo Siggno may be wondering how they can support the band during this difficult time. Turner made it clear that there are several ways the community can lend a hand, even if they may not have the financial means to contribute in large amounts.
“Come out to our shows. Buy our merchandise. Share the GoFundMe link with your friends,” Turner encouraged. He emphasized that every little bit helps, whether it’s a small donation or simply spreading the word about their situation.
For those who can offer more, Turner said the band’s GoFundMe page remains the best place to provide financial support. “There’s only one GoFundMe link, and I’m so grateful for every donation we’ve received so far,” he said. While the original goal was set at $250,000 to cover the full cost of the stolen equipment, Turner clarified that even reaching a fraction of that goal would make a significant difference. “The goal is to raise $100,000 to help us pay off the remaining loans on the equipment and get started with rebuilding,” he explained. The band’s financial struggles were compounded by the reality that they still had ongoing payments to make on their stolen gear.
“I know I’m not going to reach the full $250,000,” Turner said with humility. “But whatever comes in will help us get back on our feet, so we can continue to do what we love.”
A Heartfelt Thank You to Supporters
Despite the setbacks, Turner expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from those who have been part of his journey throughout the years. “The people who are donating, they’ve known me for a long time. They know how much we’ve given to this community, and now they’re helping us in our time of need,” he said, noting that many of the donors were people he had worked with in the past, either through his career with Grupo Siggno or in his earlier years with previous bands.
Turner also took a moment to thank the Tejano Nation and his fans for their ongoing support, saying, “Thank you to everyone who has supported us, whether through donations, kind words, or just being there for us. God bless all of you, and for those who gave, may God multiply your blessings.”
Continuing the Fight: A New Chapter for Grupo Siggno
As Grupo Siggno faces the daunting task of rebuilding from scratch, Turner’s resilience and the support of the community will be essential in helping the band recover. Although the stolen equipment remains unrecovered, and the financial burden is still a heavy weight, Turner is determined to push forward.
“We’re not giving up. We’ve been through tough times before, and we’ll get through this,” he said, holding on to the hope that, with time and support, Grupo Siggno will rise again. The band’s future may be uncertain, but Turner’s commitment to his music, his fans, and his community remains unwavering.
For those who wish to help, Turner’s message was clear: “Keep supporting us. Share the link, come to the shows, and buy our merchandise. Together, we’ll make it through.”
As the holidays approach, and the journey of recovery continues, Jesse Turner and Grupo Siggno’s story is a testament to the power of community, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit of a band that refuses to back down. Donate to the official GoFundMe page here.
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