The history of Hispanic artists performing Country music dates back to the early 1900’s. Early Tex-Mex artists of the 1940s-50s were creating covers of popular Country songs that were influenced by the instrumentation, sounds and lyrics of traditional Country music. Artists such as Tony De La Rosa and Isidro Lopez were inspired by the Western swing / Country music that was heard at that time. In fact, the Conjunto movement (also known as the accordion-driven polka genre derived in the Southwest in the 1930’s) and the Orquestra Tejana movement (or big band genre developed in the arly 1950’s) were both influenced by Country music. Ultimately, Tex-Mex and Country artists of the 1960s-70s such as Freddy Fender, Little Joe and Johnny Rodriguez all wrote and produced Country music with a unique fusion of Latin sounds and instrumentation.

Country music has played a large influence on Latin music in the U.S. and Latin America, and various artists have emerged since superstars Freddy Fender and Johnny Rodriguez stormed onto the Country music scene. Today, we have numerous U.S. Hispanic Country artists such as John Arthur Martinez, Bobby Marquez, Melanie Torres, Stephanie Urbina-Jones, Rick Treviño, Victor Sanz, J.R. Castillo and others. Likewise, we have international Latin Country artists in Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil. We also have Latin music artists (in Norteño, Tejano, Banda, Duranguense, Pop and Rock genres) producing covers of popular
Country songs in Spanish.

Today, American Country artists producing “Latin Country” songs – Country songs that celebrate the Hispanic culture and that incorporate Latin sounds, words, instrumentation, rhythms and experiences. Many Country songs to date have incorporated a Latin flavor such as Toby Keith’s “Stays in Mexico,” Tim McGraw’s “That’s Why God Made Mexico,” Brooks and Dunn’s “My Heart Is Lost To You,” and dating as far back as Gene Autry’s “El Rancho Grande” and Tex Ritter’s “Ay Viva Tequila.”

Culturally speaking, Latin and Country music share many similarities – overall style and appearance (hats, boots, jeans); work ethics; family values; loyalty to music and a rural, deeply rooted passion for music that tells a familiar story.

Whether it’s Country music, Latin music or a fusion of the two genres – the purpose of the U.S. Hispanic Country Music Association is to celebrate the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Country music and to extend its reach to all people regardless of race, language or ethnicity.