Emilio Navaira, the Grammy-winning Tejano singer, was critically injured Sunday when his band’s bus crashed on a highway in Houston. He and other members of his band Rio were driving back after performing at a nightclub when their bus crashed. The 45-year old singer and his band Rio have made several albums including “Acuerdate” which won the 2003 Grammy for best Tejano album. Tejano means Texan is Spanish, and is Tejano or Tex-Mex music refers to the music made by Texans of Latino origin. Tejano music has taken off and is popular throughout North America, Europe and Latin America.

Born on August 23, 1962, in San Antonio, Texas, Emilio started singing at home with his father, Emilio Navaira Jr., his mother, Mary Navaira, a retired bi-lingual teacher’s assistant and his two siblings, Yvette and Raul. Emilio’s father bought him his first guitar from a pawnshop when he was 6. A Self-taught musician and singer, Emilio would accompany his family at birthday parties and holiday gatherings. According to Emilio’s website, “These are memories that Emilio will never forget.”

Emilio received a music scholarship to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. where he majored in music, and played “Fredrick” in the musical “The Sound of Music.” In 1989, Emilio formed his own band Emilio y Grupo Rio along with his brother, Raulito. And by becoming a succesful country and western singer, Emilio y Grupo Rio have challenged the conventional wisdom of music executives that ghettoizes Latin music.

Emilio isn’t just a good singer and musician. He’s a good person, which is why, in addition to winning a Grammy, the Latin Grammy for the Best Tejano album (four consecutive years) and Male Entertainer of the Year from the Tejano Music Association, Emilio won the Humanitarian of the Year in 1998, for his work supporting charities including Children’s Miracle Network.

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