Courtesy: TTMA
KATY, Texas — The 45th Annual Tejano Music Awards brought a fresh wave of energy to “The Biggest Night in Tejano Music” on Friday, November 21, as the iconic celebration took place at the Texas Rodeo Saloon in Katy — marking the first time in many years that the event was not held in San Antonio, long regarded as the “Capital of Tejano Music.” The venue change set the stage for a night that highlighted the genre’s next generation of stars, unforgettable performances, and emotional career honors.
Monica Saldivar was the night’s breakout winner, capturing three major awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for “Ya Lo Sé Que Tú Te Vas,” and Collaboration of the Year for “Pienso En Ti” with Texas Latino. Her powerful presence further solidified her status as one of Tejano’s leading contemporary voices.
Monica Saldivar | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal
Gabe Rivera | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal
Texas Latino also celebrated a major evening with Album of the Year (Tejano) for Volumen II, while the group’s frontman Gabe Rivera earned Male Vocalist of the Year, marking a milestone moment for the band’s resurgence. Their collaboration with Saldivar proved to be one of the night’s biggest crowd favorites. Da Krazy Pimpz won Album of the Year (Conjunto) for Showtime.
Da Krazy Pimpz | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal
Veteran performer Ricardo Castillon was honored with the prestigious. Entertainer of the Year, a recognition of his enduring influence on the genre. Meanwhile, rising talent Luis AG made a bold entrance onto the Tejano stage, taking home Best New Male Artist and Best New Group with his Oros Band. Jenny B claimed Best New Female Artist, signaling a wave of new voices shaping the future of Tejano.
Ricardo Castillon | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / TejanoNation
Jenny B | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal
Eddy Gonzalez (TexSound Music) with Luis AG | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation
In the songwriter categories, Lucky Joe won Song of the Year for the fan-loved hit “Tumba Falsa,” adding another accolade to his growing music legacy. The Jukebox Preachers featuring Art Tigerina earned Country Song of the Year with their emotional rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Lucky Joe | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation
Art Tigerina | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation
The night also celebrated legendary careers as Ram Herrera and Johnny Hernandez were both awarded Lifetime Achievement honors, receiving heartfelt applause from an audience filled with artists they helped inspire.
Ram Herrera | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal
Spectacular performances filled the Texas Rodeo Saloon, including unforgettable sets from Ram Herrera, Avizo, Lucky Joe joined by his wife Devin Banda, Monica Saldivar, Da Krazy Pimpz, Ricardo Castillon y La Diferenzia with special guest Chingo Bling, and many more — making for a dynamic and diverse showcase of Tejano talent old and new.
Below is the full list of nominees and winners for the 45th Annual Tejano Music Awards:
2025 Tejano Music Awards Nominees & Winners
Entertainer of the Year
- Ricardo Castillon — WINNER!
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Angelica Alcoser
- Monica Saldivar — WINNER!
- Stefani Montiel
Male Vocalist of the Year
- David Lee Rodriquez
- Gabe Rivera – Texas Latino — WINNER!
- Lucky Joe
- Leonel Correa Jr. – La Calma
- Pio Treviño
Album of the Year – Tejano
- III – Monica Saldivar
- Mi Vida – David Lee Rodriquez y Cuatro11
- Mis Favoritas Vol. II – Stefani Montiel
- Simplemente Mejor – Pio Treviño
- Texas Latino Volumen II – Texas Latino — WINNER!
Album of the Year – Conjunto
- Capitulo IV – Michael Longoria y Conjunto Jamm
- La Colección de la Serie Roja – Grupo Vidal
- La Nueva Etapa – Los Hermanos Peña
- Míranos Ahora – The Tejano Boys
- Showtime – Da Krazy Pimpz — WINNER!
Best New Artist – Female
- Devin Banda
- Jenny B — WINNER!
- Veronica La Consentida
Best New Artist – Male
- Gilbert Zamora
- Jr. Reyna, Jr. Reyna Y Elegido
- Luis AG — WINNER!
Best New Artist – Group
- Jr. Reyna Y Elegido
- Luis AG & Oros Band — WINNER!
Song of the Year
- “Amor Eterno” – JR Moreno, Angélica y Grupo Moneda
- “Incompetente En El Amor” – Oscar Antonio Rosas Rodríguez and Leopoldo Zúñiga Cano, Jay Perez
- “Nada” – Gabriel Zavala, Joel Rosario, Stefani Montiel
- “Tumba Falsa” – Teodoro Bello Jaimes, Lucky Joe — WINNER!
- “Ya Lo Sé Que Tú Te Vas” – Alberto Aguilera Valadez, Monica Saldivar
Collaboration of the Year
- “Aquí Estoy Yo” – Los Hermanos Peña and Mike Aguilar Jr.
- “Como Vivir Sin Ti” – David Lee Rodriquez and Shelly Lares
- “No Me Queda Claro” – Pio Treviño y Majic and David Lee Garza
- “Pienso En Ti” – Texas Latino and Monica Saldivar — WINNER!
- “Si Quieres Ver Mi Llora” – Stefani Montiel and BenitO°
Country Song of the Year
- “He Stopped Loving Her Today” – Jukebox Preachers ft. Art Tigerina — WINNER!
- “My Lonely Days Are Gone (’Cause I Started Drinkin’)” – David Lee Rodriquez y Cuatro11
- “One More Day (Spanish)” – Grupo Vidal
- “Para Toda La Vida” – Joey Martinez y Miradas
- “Whiskey Texas” – Bobby Aguilera
Video of the Year
- “Ya Lo Sé Que Tú Te Vas” — Monica Saldivar — WINNER!
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