U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro wants Texas music fans to brag on their favorite artists.
On Tuesday, the San Antonio Democrat issued a call for suggestions of songs and albums by Texas artists that deserve nominations to appear in the National Recording Registry. The congressman will use the input to curate a list for the registry that highlights the state’s rich musical heritage.
“Texas is a hub for creative talent and the birthplace of many iconic musicians in various genres. From George Strait’s soul-stirring country to Beto Villa’s Orquesta Tejana, Texas artists represent a blend of various cultures, styles and languages,” Castro said in the statement. “This year, I want to honor their legacy by nominating Texas artists who have shaped the music industry in Texas and beyond.”
Fans can submit both songs and albums via a special online site set up by Castro’s office. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Congress established the National Recording Registry in 2000 to preserve sounds and recordings with cultural, historic or aesthetic significance to U.S. life. The National Recording Preservation Board selects 25 additional recordings annually for preservation.
Fewer than 5% of the registry’s catalog of 675 songs are from Lone Star State artists, according to Castro. Those Texas-tied recordings include East Texas bluesman Mance Lipscomb’s Texas Sharecropper and Songster album (1960), Narciso Martinez and Santiago Almeida’s pioneering conjunto song “La Chicharronera” (1936) and Bob Wills’ Western swing standard “New San Antonio Rose” (1940).
Over the past three years, Castro has submitted lists of nominations to increase the visibility of Latino recording artists. Since he began compiling the annual lists, the National Recording Preservation Board has inducted seven of his picks, including Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” (1990), Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (2004), Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (1974) and Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton album (2015).
This marks the first year Castro has solicited suggestions for a list of Texas artists.
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