Smaller But Potent, Independent Latin Labels Maintain Chart Presence

While the indies have only a fraction of the majors' enormous marketing and promotional power, over the past 12 months they have managed to beat the odds with breakout triumphs by the likes of Palomo, Rogelio Martinez and El Chichicuilote. These acts prove that indie labels like Disa, Cisne and Lideres still have the ability to push artists onto the charts. In the Tejano market, the scaling back of major-label rosters has provided an opportunity for indies like Freddie, Tejas and Hacienda to find new gold.

Rudy Trevino, producer of the syndicated radio program Tejano Gold, points to the respectable sales and airplay notched by Freddie act Jimmy Gonzalez y el Grupo Mazz, which was signed to EMI for 11 years. "Now they're doing very well with the granddaddy of indies, Freddie Records," Trevino says. "While some industry insiders consider this a down slide, it's really a good sign that the independents are a nice little profitable enclave." Gonzalez's 2000 CD, Quien Iba a Pensar, was nominated for best Tejano album at this year's Grammys and is nominated for a Latin Grammy, and won album honors at the 2001 Tejano Music Awards.

Former La Mafia guitarist Leonardo Gonzales' new group, Los Magnificos, was also signed by Freddie and received a Grammy nod for Siempre Cuenta Conmigo, which spun off the hit cumbia "Que Vas a Hacer." Meanwhile, Freddie's Ramon Ayala is also a perennial chart contender.

Among indies posting impressive chart positions in Billboard are Disa's Grupo Bryndis, with Historia...