Elida Reyna Y Avante, also known as Elida Y Avante (EYA), is a Latin Grammy Award winning Tejano band formed in the Rio Grande Valley in 1992. Their first two albums “Atrevete” (1994) and “Algo Entero” (1996) were qualified for gold status and produced the popular singles “Luna Llena”and “Lagrimas De Amor”. They were awarded “Billboard” Magazines “Revelacion Del Año” award, and were named “Rising Group of the Year” at the TTMA Industry Awards in 1995. Their 2010 album, “Fantasia”, earned them a Latin Grammy Award. Lead singer Elida Reyna was given a place in the “Tejano Roots Hall of Fame”.
She formed Elida Y Avante in 1992 in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They released their first album Atrevete in 1994 under La Mafia’s label at the time, Voltage Entertainment. This album spawned the hit “Luna Llena” They received TTMA Industry Awards for “Rising Group of the Year” and “Rising Female Vocalist of the Year” in 1995. It went gold (denoting sales of at least 50,000 units), propelled by the hit single “Luna Llena” and Hernandez’s use of a stand-up bass to create a unique sound. Before they could enjoy their success, however, they were feuding with Voltage. Groups rarely leave a powerhouse like Voltage (with its major-label distribution) unless they’ve already lined up another company with comparable juice.
Going Out on Their Own in The Music Industry
Elida y Avante shocked the industry by going out on its own. The group self-released one single and then did something nearly as shocking by signing in 1996 with unknown Tejas Records in San Antonio, which had released just one album—and a blues album at that. In 1996, Reyna won the TTMA Award for “Rising Female Star” and in 1997, she hosted the Pura Vida Awards. At the 1999 Tejano Music Awards, Elida Y Avante won “Most Promising Band of the Year”. In 2000 Reyna scored big with a Ranchera song entitled, “Duele”. At that years Tejano Music Awards, Reyna won “Female Vocalist of the Year”, “Female Entertainer of the Year”, & “Song of the Year”, with “Duele”. Reyna has since traveled the world, performing in Asia and Europe.
Elida Reyna The Early Years As a Female Tejano Artist
Elida Reyna was born in San Antonio, Texas. She first lived in Dallas, Texas, but she lived in a bad neighborhood, and her grandmother had been ill, so her family decided to move to Mercedes, Texas when she was 8 years old. She was then raised in Mercedes. Growing up she listened to Tejano Music legends like Roberto Pulido, La Mafia, Grupo Mazz and Laura Canales. Canales and her music had a big influence on Elida. Canales showed Elida that Tejano music wasn’t just for guys. Reyna is known as “La Reina Del Valle Mágico” (“The Queen of Magic Valley”) Reyna began singing at quinceañeras and weddings in 1988. In 1991, while studying at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas, she met arranger Noel Hernandez. Hernandez later became the bass player for the band. In 1992, Reyna abandoned her studies to pursue music full-time.
Book Elida Reyna Y Avante for your next Tejano Music Rock Festival or concert event.
Bill Angelini
210-363-4978
Bill@bookyourevent.com