By: Fredwill Hernandez
After three years of dedicated effort, Tejano singer/songwriter Monica Saldivar from Grand Prairie, Texas, produced what I consider a “classic” self-titled debut album.
There’s a common saying in music that “the cream rises to the top,” and no one embodies this more in Texas, especially in Tejano music right now or for quite a while, than Saldivar. She is currently promoting “Me Cuenta Tanto Olvidarte,” a song written by Claudia Brant, who collaborated with Enrique Iglesias. The track was originally featured on Iglesias’ 2014 album, Sex and Love.
Saldivar shared that they contacted Claudia Brant to explain their vision for the song, and she fully supported the idea, giving her blessing. Saldivar began developing her vocal talents in ninth grade while attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Dallas, Texas. She noted that this is the only cover song on the album; all the other tracks—some written specifically for her—come from talented songwriters like Juan Treviño, Beto Ramón, Eduardo “Yayo” Anguiano, Ernesto Rodriguez II, and Jesse Villarreal, and had never been released before. When it was time to record the album, things got tight, so they focused on recording just ten songs, aiming to release it quickly ahead of certain awards and nomination deadlines.
Several important factors played a crucial role in Saldivar’s growth as a vocalist and performer. These included her persistence, strong work ethic, regular practice, and most importantly — the full support and blessings from her loved ones and family.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have my family as my backbone: my dad manages me, my brother handles marketing, and my mom provides constant support. So, for those who don’t have that kind of support, my advice is to stay close to mentors who truly guide you, especially when it comes to performing. I’ve looked up to vocalists and performers like Shelly Lares and Stafanie Montiel, and I’ve had the honor of meeting Elida Reyna from Avante—people I admired growing up who’ve shared invaluable advice. Trust your instincts and hold on to what matters most to you. As a Hispanic woman in a male-dominated industry, the challenges can be tough. I also want to encourage the younger generation, both boys and girls, to educate themselves—learn about contracts, the music business, and what’s expected of you. Understand royalties and music publishing, because you need to be smart to avoid being taken advantage of,” explained Saldivar, who won the Austin-based nationwide singing contest Tejano Idol in 2015.
As Saldivar’s confidence, vocal talent, and stage presence began to shine, hundreds of people took notice — including some of Tejano music’s most renowned [Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning] songwriters and producers.
“I was performing in Buda, TX, at their annual Fajita Fiesta and Cook Off when someone from Tejano Gold radio shared a video of me singing Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You.” As I reached the song’s climactic part, a train passed by, making a lot of noise, but I still sang loud enough to be heard. Coincidentally, Mario Ortiz, a multi-Grammy-winning producer and musical director for Jay Perez’s band, saw the video and was impressed. He later found me on Facebook and sent a message through Jay Perez and the Band’s fan page, telling me how amazed he was—not only at how loud I sang to be heard over the train but also at how I stayed on key despite the noise. He expressed interest in working with me, believing he could really help my career. After discussing it with my family, we set up a conference call with Mario, where we talked about musical style, goals, and what we hoped to achieve. By the end of the call, we knew he was the perfect fit. We connected immediately, and I jokingly asked if he could produce a Juan Treviño song—an artist I admire—and he said, “Sure, I can do that.” And he did. I couldn’t have imagined a better debut single than “Este Dolor” (released July 20, 2016). It perfectly introduced me as an artist. It’s amazing to think that the song still gets regular airplay on many Tejano stations. Knowing my first single was produced by multi-Grammy-winning professionals is simply incredible,” Saldivar shared—someone I confidently see as Tejano music’s “next big” star.
