BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Texas Tornado Tradition is bringing its signature sound to Bakersfield, with an original band member keeping its music alive.
You may recognize their most popular titles, “Hey Baby, Que Paso” and “Who Were You Thinking Of.”
The eight-piece band soared to popularity in the early 90s, even winning a Grammy for their song “Soy de San Luis” from their self‑titled album “Texas Tornados.”
“Texas Tornados is really a wonderful collaboration of trying to mix Tex-Mex with crossover music,” said original band member Louie Ortega.
“It was a mix of R&B, rock and roll, Tex-Mex, cumbia, rancheras, you know, the party package,” added Michael Guerra, a member of the reimagined Texas Tornados.
Not all of the original members are still alive, so the concert is similar to a tribute band with additional music. You’ll hear the Texas Tornado classics to honor their memory, with the addition of Guerra and Ortega’s original music.
”Ernie Duwawa and I are the last two surviving members of the Texas Tornadoes,” Ortega reminisced.
Even though Michael Guerra is the only Kern County resident, the band’s connection to the Bakersfield Sound runs deep.
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Ortega looked back on a local classic, “Streets of Bakersfield,” to compare their Tex-Mex sound, but the history goes further than that. One of the original members, Flaco Jimenez, played accordion for Dwight Yokum’s famous rendition of “Streets of Bakersfield.”
Ortega is one of two remaining original members, and he is performing this weekend alongside musicians who are famous from their own careers. The new version of the Texas Tornados has a unique sound of excited musicians playing the music that inspired them.
”Just to make music with different players and with Michael, it brings me back to playing with Flaco,” Ortega said.
Guerra moved to Bakersfield about a year ago, and he wanted to bring the Tex-Mex sound to the historic Nile Theater for their last performance of the year.
This is the last performance for the Texas Tornado tradition this year, and Guerra said it’s time for Bakersfield to put on their dancing shoes.
“It’s a party, man, nobody’s going to be in their seats; they’re going to be up dancing,” he said. “Cumbias, rancheras, country western, all of it. Rock and roll.”
The concert is this Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Nile Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Bakersfieldlive.com
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