St. Mary’s Second Annual Music Festival Sizzles to the Sounds of Country and Tejano

The stage at the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial RiverStage sizzled Saturday with some of Texas’ finest Country and Tejano music superstars. Fans of both genres braved the sweltering 102-degree weather to be a part of Texas music history.

Father Joey at St. Mary’s church came up with the idea to feature both Tejano and Country music as a way to appeal to all his parish and to bring the community together. This festival set a precedent because it was the first time in San Angelo history that fans from these different music genres joined together to enjoy the universal art of music.

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Above: Aaron Watson performed to adoring fans Saturday at the St. Mary's Second Annual Musical Festival.(LIVE! Photo/Brandy Ramirez)

“I love [the idea],” said Elida Reyna, the Queen (La Reina) of Tejano music. “I think it’s great if it brings a crowd like this.”

The crowd Reyna referred to included more than 1,000 people by the end of the evening. Because of the heat, many fans trickled in after 6:30 p.m. Many people, however, put up canopies to block out the sun’s rays so they could enjoy the early afternoon line-up, which included Mario Flores, Cacy Sevala and Judson Cole.

Texas Country singer and San Angelo native Judson Cole and his band performed in the heart of the heat. However, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, he said.

“It was hot, but good,” Cole said. “It’s nice when you get a variety of folks who want to come out and hear good music.”

Reyna said it’s not unusual for Tejanos to enjoy country music. It’s a genre they know and most of them love. For her though, this concert was a great way to introduce the Tejano genre to country fans.

Additionally, the artists enjoyed the collaboration.

Aaron Watson, after performing “Summertime Girl,” said, “I've been performing these past few months with these Tejano artists, and I have to say, I have more in common with them than I do those Pop Country Artists. I think it's time I improve my español."

The fans showed their love of this statement with loud cheers and whistles. They too enjoyed the combination of genres.

Aaron Watson fans Ryan and Erica Romero, who moved to San Angelo more than a year ago from Reno, Nev., said they didn’t know a lot about Tejano music, but they liked the mix.

“It’s different,” Ryan Romero said. "I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Sonora resident Karina Mata, who was on a date with her husband, Adrian, said she too liked the lineup. Although she’s not a big country fan, she thought joining the two communities important.

“With everything that’s been going on, I think this is great because I know we need that,” she said. “We all have the same color blood; we all love music.”

Dallas resident and Aaron Watson fan Vernon White, who was in San Angelo visiting his old college roommate, Brent Pfeiffer, said combining the two music genres and communities together works.

“It should be that way,” White said.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, fans from both communities worked together to ensure an enjoyable experience.

Tejano music lovers danced cumbias and curridos with loved ones during Tejano music sets while country music fans watched on or joined in the dance circle. During country sets, the dancing lines eased so country fans could have their turn to see their favorite performers up close.

Jessie Fitchett, chairman of the event, said St. Mary officials were happy with the results of their planning.

“The turnout [was] amazing,” Fitchett said. “We’ve really been blessed.”