Pure Tejano Radio

MICHAEL BORRERO a.k.a (Tuxedo Mike)
Administrative/Public Relations/Advertising/Radio DJ

• Owner of Mikes Formal Wear
• President of the Austin Tejano Music Coalition
• Co-owner of Pure Tejano Radio

I was born on May 31st 1958 at Long beach Hospital in Brooklyn New York. My father was in the Air Force and stationed in New York at that time. I grew up in Austin Texas, my father was Puerto Rican and my mother Mexican-American. But we're all American right? I lived and worked in Austin Texas and was also in the Air Force. I traveled to England, Germany, Italy and California (that's like another country). I love all kinds of music. Because I got to hear salsa and tejano and everything in between I have a great appreciation of all genres of music. My mom taught me how to dance by putting my feet on her feet and she played Little Joe and well you can say I was hooked. Living in Austin we always had Tejano music on the radio. Because of the tragic death of Selena the mainstream music industry decided Tejano music wasn't a viable product and little by little the music was being shoved under the carpet. When Austin lost its Tejano station I decided to fight instead of lying down. With my own savings I opened the Diamond Ballroom and it was beautiful but without a station it became impossible to maintain. I personally lost a great sum of money when I lost it back to the landlord because I had no radio station to advertise on. The sad part was that I was just starting to turn the corner. Mas Triste!

I was approached by Marcelo Tafoya and then Senator Gonzalo Barrientos about forming a group of businesses and individuals to advocate and support Tejano music and its musicians and of course I joined as an original member of The Austin Tejano Music Coalition. My one and only older brother Phillip Borrero began playing with Manny & The CO's around 1972 and I personally knew something of the La Onda as some called it. He went on to play with Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution along with many other bands. Through my brother I always had a gig to go to and dance. The Coalition allowed me a way to give back to all those musicians who have given their time and talent to play Tejano music all those years. Last year I was voted the President of the The Austin Tejano Music Coalition and am trying to find ways to allow that 1 generation that was skipped to hear the music of their heritage.

During those sad years without a radio station I found myself along with the manager of my tuxedo store Manuel Vasquez searching the internet so that we could hear Tejano music. What we found was not very good to say the least. They kept playing the same songs just like the regular radio stations were doing. We got fed up and decided that we could do the same thing. After about 4 months of planning we launched www.puretejanoradio.com on January 11th 2008. We made changes as we moved along and now proudly stream Tejano music 24/7. I still love all forms of music and occasionally go off and play something else but hey we're just having fun with this and hope everyone enjoys what we play.

I have a daughter who sings with The Frank Gomez Band and Los Texas Wranglers and my other 2 daughters also like and appreciate Tejano music. Tejano music was played at all of my daughters Quinceaneras and all their friends loved it (black, white and brown). I'm proud to bring you with the help of my partner Manuel Vasquez (DJ RYSK) Tejano music without prejudice or favoritism toward any artist or band.........Just the music baby!

Pure Tejano Radio