North Texas State Fair & Rodeo
2217 N. Carroll Blvd.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 387-2632
(940) 382-7763 fax
EMAIL US
North Texas State Fair & Rodeo
2217 N. Carroll Blvd.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 387-2632
(940) 382-7763 fax
EMAIL US
A native of San Antonio, Emilio Navaira started singing at home with his family, his father Emilio, his mother Mary and brother and sister Raul and Yvette. With his first guitar, young Emilio started accompanying his family at birthday parties and holiday gatherings, emulating his favorite Texas music stars Willy Nelson, Joe Hernandez, and Ramon Ayala.
Emilio's musical talents earned him a scholarship at Southwest Texas State University. He majored in music and expanded his music horizons but returned to his musical roots when he started singing lead vocals with Tejano artist David Lee Garza y Los Musicales.
Emilio formed his own band in 1989 called Emilio y Grupo Rio with his brother Raul. Their first record was nominated for a Grammy. Emilio joined with Capitol/EMI for twelve albums many of which turned gold and platinum. Emilio y Grupo Rio crossed over to country music with the album "Life is Good" which rose to #13 on Billboard's Country Album charts.
With the onset of the new millennium, Emilio y Grupo Rio signed with BMG US Latin. "El Rey del Rodeo" was nominated for a Grammy and "Lo Dice Tu Mirada" which was nominated for a Latin Grammy. "Acuerdate" won a Grammy in 2003.
Returning to Capitol/EMI, Emilio y Grupo Rio produced their first DVD/CD called "La Historia" a collection of videos from years past.
Emilio Navaira has dominated the Tejano scene for over a decade breaking barriers in the industry, winning Album of the Year (Progressive) in 1993, Video of the Year in 1995, Tejano of the Year in 1996 and Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 as host of the Emilio Navaira "Tejanos for Children" Foundation benefiting the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network.