Photo credit Mark Del Castillo
The story of Little Joe Hernandez is a riveting narrative of determination, passion for music, and overcoming personal challenges. Of Mexican descent, Little Joe was born in modest circumstances, in a three-walled, dirt-floored garage, on a cold, stormy night, becoming the seventh of 13 children. His father, Salvador, was known as “La Cotorra” (the parakeet) and was an accomplished troubadour, while his mother, Amelia DeLeon, was a trained pianist. The musical influence was deeply ingrained in their family, and they often got together for parties that lasted until three in the morning, where everyone played instruments and sang.
Hernandez’s musical journey began at the age of 13, when his cousin, David Coronado, invited him to play guitar in his group, the “Latinaires”. Over time, the Latinaires gained renown as “Little Joe and the Latinaires”, marking the beginning of a remarkable musical career. Today, he is often accompanied by his band “La Familia”, and his music has spread across genres such as Tejano, Tex-Mex, Norteno, and Chicano.
One of the milestones in his musical career was the album “16 de Septiembre”, which won the Grammy for Best Mexican American Performance in 1992. In 2008, he again shone when he received the Grammy for Best Tejano Album of the Year for “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”. In addition, several of his other albums, such as “Timeless”, “Que Paso” (1993), “Little Joe y La Familia 2000”, and “Celebration of Life Vol.1 & Vol.2”, have also been nominated for Grammys, demonstrating his consistency and talent over the years.
Little Joe Hernandez is an artist who transcends music labels, incorporating a wide range of influences into his music. His inspiration comes not only from Tejano but also from jazz, a genre he deeply admires. He revealed that if he had a choice, he would have preferred to be a jazz musician. His music is a unique fusion of Tejano, jazz, country music, pop, and classical elements such as violins and other strings, which stand out on tracks like “Las Nubes”.
In addition to his music career, Hernandez is also recognized for his philanthropic work. He recently founded the organization “Little Joe Diabetes and Prevention” and organized walks in San Antonio, demonstrating his commitment to diabetes awareness and health promotion.
His impact goes beyond music and philanthropy. The Temple Independent School District awarded Little Joe the district's first honorary high school diploma in October 2022. A well-deserved honor considering he had to leave school after 7th grade to work as a migrant and his subsequent education was gained through life experience.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the folk and traditional arts, Hernandez was awarded the 2023 National Heritage Scholarship by the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States government's highest honor in this field.
