We appreciate you taking the time to star on this weeks “Interview of the week” section on TejanoFM.com. Where fans get to read about the thoughts and experiences of new tejano artist and the legends of the industry. A place where fans can learn a bit of biography on their favorite artist and get some entertaining insides on their careers. Here’s a series of fun and informative questions we have just for you!

  ► Where is your hometown? Where’s a good place to eat for someone visiting?

   ► My hometown is the good ole Capitol City (Home of the great Earvin “Magic” Johnson) LANSING, MICHIGAN. As far as the food goes that's a toughy but I will go ahead and give you my top 4 Mexican comida spots of the city: Aldaco’s, El Sombrero, Pablo’s and of course Famous Taco/Famous Nachos. All great spots to grab a bite to eat, all owned and operated by great people.

  ► How long have you been in the tejano music industry?

   ► Um lol, I would say about a good 2-3 months, but the first single “Cosas Del Amor” has been out a little under a month, my team and I have made great strides in a short period of time and also have had a huge response and crazy support from fans! Very humbling man. I actually spent years prior breaking into the R&B/Hip Hop Market and have had many close breakthroughs, but if you check out my Bio you will see that I’ve dedicated the past few years being a responsible father to my son, and laying down a solid foundation for him to become a humble, strong young man. Currently I am in a situation where I can relocate from MI, as I have always wanted, and can take him along with me wherever I decide to go. So I'm choosing San Antonio, Texas as my new home. I always knew at some point I would throw myself back into my music career. But, only at the right time, not only to achieve my own goals and dreams, but for my son and entire familia. With all the other Tejano talent in my family, I was always encouraged to try Tejano Music. I just never was shown the avenue until I linked up with former high school classmates and partners in this project Michael Lopez and Julia Pizano.

  ► Being a new artist whats the hardest thing to accomplish?

   ► Now I cannot speak for every other artist. I would have to say, for me, one of the toughest things may be or will be getting people to look through all my influences and see through the outer portrait of what i look like, talk like, or sound like and see that I am just like them in my inner core which is puro Mexicano y puro Tejano. Growing up with a very diverse background I was not only exposed and influenced by many Tejano Musicians, but also Salsa, Merengue, Rock, Funk, Soul, Country and of course R&B/Hip Hop. Though it may sound as if i speak of this as a weakness of mine, I actually view it as my greatest asset and strength that allows me to be able to adapt and be a major chameleon in any situation... Not only in music, or business world, but LIFE in general.

  ► Who are your greatest musical inspirations?

   ► WOW... That's a super long list for a guy like me lol, music as a kid had been my life, inside my blood, my breath... and if I wasn't outside swinging a bat practicing baseball with my pops, I was listening to music in my room, or putting on concerts in front of the mirror with combs lol... But here’s a list to name a few: Jay Perez, Selena Quintanilla, Fito Olivares, Bobby Pulido, Los Panchos, Alejandro Fernandez, Marc Anthony, Victor Manuel, Hector Lavoe, Marvin Gaye, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Tupac Shakur, Kanye West, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Santana, Elvis Presley... and of course Ritchie Valens.. lol.. as you can see a very diverse and wide range of genre’s.. thats just me tho.. cant help it..

  ► In the near future you will be releasing a new CD. What can your fans expect?

   ► My fans, who are so special, can definitely expect an excellent, sound, solid Tejano Project with swagg on songs that i will pour my heart, soul, passion, life experiences, pain and love in. It will contain Cumbia’s, Ranchera’s, fast slow all the above. This has been a dream of mine since a little kid in elementary and i want to share it with ALL my fans. With the support and collaboration from my producers and musicians, mixers and masters behind the scenes and along side of me, I definitely feel Gods presence and believe something truly SPECIAL is in the making... Something my fans have been waiting a longtime for.

  ► If you could do a duet, who would you do it with?

   ► Starting out I would have to say definitely Jay Perez, A.B. Quintinilla.. Definitely A.J. Castillo, Mark Ledesma, Jesse Turner, J.R. Gomez, David Marez, and definitely Stefanie Montiel.... Also to add I guess the dream duet which I bet I share with many other artists out there would have to be with the late beautiful queen Selena Quintanilla... R.I.P. Selena.. You are still missed and loved by so many :)

  ► Do you still get star struck and if so who makes you feel star struck?

   ► Lol.. I guess you can say so, but more so by all these beautiful Latina stars we have out there in the industry and Hollywood.. Actresses like Paola Nunez, Penelope Cruz, Eva Mendez, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergera, Jennifer Lopez, Rosylyn Sanchez etc.. But I would have to jokingly say you would not recognize my star “struck’ness” (if that's a word lol) but you would more so see my Gentlemen game come out of me.. ;) lol ...But yes to answer your question I do have much respect for the Stars out there Male and Female already paving the way for new Latinos such as myself and many others. Thank u.

  ► What would you do if you had won a million dollars?

   ► If i won a million dollars at the present moment I would have to say that I would call up all those Actresses in Hollywood that I just mentioned and throw a yacht party or something lol... But no, no, no on a serious note I probably would first would put an amount away in the bank for my son Lil Rick’s college fund, my nieces and nephews as well , I would also purchase special items for my parents and close family members Aunts and uncles that have helped me along the way. I would definitely take an amount to invest a portion into my career and my team around me... (shout out to Mike n Julia lol) Also wouldn't want to forget to find school charities for children, maybe even Christmas Charities to donate to as well, maybe for kids or families who've never been able to experience a happy full filled Christmas Holiday filled with Joy, laughter, toys and necessities... things like that. Things that can alter and add positive effects to people’s lives.

  ► Whats the best and worst thing about being a musician?

   ► I guess the worst thing about being an artist/musician is all the un-seen self determination, struggles and years of selfless commitment... All of the heart and passion that it takes to dedicate in following through with your dream before seeing any results come through for years. Having to see the invisible stairs when no one else around you see’s the vision you see, or knows your possibilities. Its not easy pursuing your dream when many folks, even loved ones, are telling you to give up and quit. Im here to tell all you young ones with dreams NEVER QUIT... NEVER GIVE IN... GO OUT, GO GET IT and pursue your dreams! Go after the unobtainable. Life is just a moment and at the end of it you have to be happy with it when the credits are playing at the end of your movie. So yes, I personally know what it is like to sacrifice and believe in your vision when no one else can sees it. That is definitely one of the toughest things to bare on your journey. But in connection to all that the best part of it all I would have to say is finally starting to see results and success, its almost like God is hitting the ‘Like’ button in certain aspects of your life, and smiling down on you. It’s definitely a great feeling! Whats even greater is sharing those moments with those fans that have stuck by you, Those people that believed in you from day one, went to all your shows, bought all your CD’s, followed you on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter etc... no better feeling than being able to share your success with folks that have that true genuine love for you. Doing music for a living is my DREAM, making people dance, sing, smile, cry and come together is what I love to do. It’s giving a child, or a young girl hurt from relationship for example hope, and that maybe with my songs or my voice i can spark feelings to move forward... Effecting people in a positive way is SO priceless to me... and whats better than having the stage to help influence a younger generation. Again.. #Priceless … Its what I Love.

  ► Where can fans find the latest news on Ricky Valenz?

   ► You can keep up with me on my Facebook, Twitter, and Reverb Nation. The links are below:
http://www.facebook.com/rickyvalenz16
http://twitter.com/rickyvalenz
http://www.reverbnation.com/rickyvalenzmusic

  ► Do you have any last words for your fans?

   ► I just want to say to my fans THANK YOU.. THANK YOU... THANK YOU...The journey has just begun and your support, you emails, your requests to the radio stations, all your views on my Youtube videos, your Facebook likes and comments, re-posts and all the above is SO PRICELESS to me, it does not go unseen. You are the reason why I do what I do baby... I do promise to always.. ALWAYS.. give you all of me, for this is just not about me, but a bigger a picture...I LOVE YOU ALL! Hope to see you soon LIVE. Look out for my second single coming soon written by Buddy Vargas titled “ No Te Puedo Olvidar”.. The full album in which I will be completing down in San Antonio, Texas titled “El Tiempo Ha Llegado” is in full dedication to you. Shout out to My Primos Joey, Jessie, and Ruben Herrera. It was a pleasure working with you on my first single. Also, a special Thank you to Eddy, and TejanoFM for this spotlight! Much love to you!

From all the staff at TejanoFM.com we sincerely thank you for giving us the time to conduct this interview. It was a pleasure having you headline the “Interview of the week” section and we wish you guys much success.

TejanoFM.com!!!