Emilio
Encyclopedia
Emilio Navaira III is an American musician of Mexican
descent, who performs both Country
and Tejano music
. Known to most by the mononym Emilio, he has charted more than ten singles on the Billboard
Hot Latin Tracks charts, in addition to six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Emilio is also one of the few Tejano artists to have significant success in both the United States and Mexico, and has been called the "Garth Brooks
of Tejano." His biggest country hit was the #27 "It's Not the End of the World" in late 1995, and his highest-charting single on any chart is "Por Siempre Unidos," which peaked at #7 on Latin Pop Airplay
in 1996. Along with Selena
, Emilio is one of the most prominent artists to help popularize Tejano music.
in 1980, received a music scholarship to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, and majored in music with plans to become a teacher before ultimately deciding to pursue a career as an artist.
singer Selena
for Album of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards
. In 1989, Navaira formed his own band, Emilio y Groupo Rio. That same year Emilio signed with Columbia Records
(then known as CBS Records
). This relationship resulted in Emilio recording more than fifteen studio albums to date, including several with his Rio Band.
By the mid 1990s, Emilio began crediting himself solely as Emilio, eventually switching his focus to country music. Between 1989 and 1996, Emilio had released seven Spanish albums with cumulative sales of about 2 million. This success lead to mainstream commercial exposure, with companies such as Coca-Cola
and Wrangler Jeans
using his songs in their advertisements in the 1990s. Emilio had also gained a sponsorship with Miller Lite
beer, who had persuaded him to use their slogan at the time, "Life is good," as the title of his first country album
.
Emilio signed with Capitol Records
and released his first country music single called "It's Not the End of the World" which reached the Top 30 on the country charts in 1995. His album was a surprise success as well reaching #13 on the country charts and also a high placing on the Top 200. Several more singles including a Spanish version of "It's Not the End of the World" followed but none of these singles came close to the Top 40 except "Even If I Tried" which reached #41 in 1996. In 1997, he released a second country album, "It's On The House" but it was not as successful as his first country album. Two more minor country singles followed and gradually Emilio faded from country music and increasingly came back to Tejano music.
Navaira has five children. His two children from his first marriage to Cynthia Navaira also perform for Grupo Rio. Emilio Navaira IV plays drums, and Diego Navaira plays guitar. He also has three from his second marriage to Maru Navaira.
In June 2011 Navaira's second wife, Maru, filed for divorce.
crashed early in the morning on March 23, 2008, in Bellaire
(a small municipality partially surrounded by Houston, Texas
). Navaira had performed the previous night at Hallabaloos, a Houston nightclub
and he was at the wheel of the tour bus as it traveled north along west 610 Loop
near the Southwest Freeway when it crashed into a set of freeway barrels shortly before 4 a.m. Emilio was taken by Life Flight
to Memorial Hermann Hospital
where a blood clot in his head was removed; Emilio's initial treatment included being kept in a medically-induced coma
and induced hypothermia to minimize brain swelling. Doctors cautioned that he might not survive.
A March 27, 2008 press release from Memorial Hermann Hospital reported that on the evening of March 26 Emilio "opened his eyes and moved his arms and legs." On April 4, 2008, the hospital announced that Emilio underwent a surgical procedure on March 31 to repair a pseudoaneurysm
in his right lung and that he remained in critical condition. On April 16, 2008, he was upgraded to fair condition. On April 23, the hospital announced that Emilio was transferred to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) at Memorial Hermann as part of his rehabilitative care.
On May 1, 2008, police released initial reports that indicated that Emilio was intoxicated at the time of the crash. On May 8, the full report was released which indicated that Emilio had a blood alcohol content
of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit in Texas. Authorities also indicated that Emilio was not licensed to drive a bus.
On September 24, 2008, Emilio was involved in another car accident in San Antonio as a passenger while his wife was driving. According to a witness, the Navairas were stopped in a turn lane when a truck crossed at least two lanes of traffic and struck their vehicle. Both Emilio and his wife Maria were released from the hospital the following day. Emilio's agent, Joe Casias, stated that Emilio and his wife were headed home from a rehabilitation therapy appointment stemming from the March tour bus accident.
He pleaded guilty to DWI charges stemming from the crash on March 13, 2009; he was sentenced to three days in jail and 27 days of house arrest.
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
descent, who performs both Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and Tejano music
Tejano music
Tejano music or Tex-Mex music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas...
. Known to most by the mononym Emilio, he has charted more than ten singles on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Latin Tracks charts, in addition to six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Emilio is also one of the few Tejano artists to have significant success in both the United States and Mexico, and has been called the "Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
of Tejano." His biggest country hit was the #27 "It's Not the End of the World" in late 1995, and his highest-charting single on any chart is "Por Siempre Unidos," which peaked at #7 on Latin Pop Airplay
Latin Pop Airplay
Latin Pop Airplay is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information from pop music usually in Spanish. It was established by the magazine on October 8, 1994 with Mañana by Cristian Castro being the first song to reach number-one...
in 1996. Along with Selena
Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
, Emilio is one of the most prominent artists to help popularize Tejano music.
Early life
Emilio Navaira III was born on August 23, 1962 in San Antonio, Texas to Emilio Navaira Jr., and Mary Navaira. Growing up on the south side of San Antonio, Navaira found early influence in not only tejano legends such as Little Joe y la Familia, Ramón Ayala, and Pedro Infante, but also Lone Star country music heroes such as Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, and George Strait. As a student, Navaria graduated from McCollum High SchoolMcCollum High School
Dillard McCollum High School is a local high school of the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas .-History:McCollum High School was named in honor of Mr...
in 1980, received a music scholarship to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, and majored in music with plans to become a teacher before ultimately deciding to pursue a career as an artist.
Musical career
In 1985 at age 23, Emilio began his performing career by singing lead vocals for David Lee Garza y Los Musicales. In 1987, Cuantas Veces by David Lee Garza Y Los Musicales beat out Alpha by Mexican AmericanMexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
singer Selena
Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
for Album of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards
Tejano Music Awards
The Tejano Music Awards had been launched in 1980 by former art teacher and music veteran Rudy Trevino and the leader of the Latin Breed Band, Gilbert Escobedo. Only 1,500 fans turned out for the first Tejano Music Awards. Over the years, San Antonio evolved into the Nashville of Tejano music...
. In 1989, Navaira formed his own band, Emilio y Groupo Rio. That same year Emilio signed with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
(then known as CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
). This relationship resulted in Emilio recording more than fifteen studio albums to date, including several with his Rio Band.
By the mid 1990s, Emilio began crediting himself solely as Emilio, eventually switching his focus to country music. Between 1989 and 1996, Emilio had released seven Spanish albums with cumulative sales of about 2 million. This success lead to mainstream commercial exposure, with companies such as Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
and Wrangler Jeans
Wrangler Jeans
Wrangler is a manufacturer of jeans and other clothing items. The brand is owned by the VF Corporation, who also own Lee, JanSport and The North Face, among others. Its headquarters is in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, with production plants in a variety of locations throughout the world...
using his songs in their advertisements in the 1990s. Emilio had also gained a sponsorship with Miller Lite
Miller Lite
Miller Lite is a 4.2% abv pale lager brand sold by MillerCoors of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Sibling beers include Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life.-History:...
beer, who had persuaded him to use their slogan at the time, "Life is good," as the title of his first country album
Life Is Good (Emilio album)
Life Is Good is the first country music album by American Tejano music artist Emilio. It was released by Capitol Nashville on September 26, 1995. Its first single, "It's Not the End of the World," reached the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
.
Emilio signed with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and released his first country music single called "It's Not the End of the World" which reached the Top 30 on the country charts in 1995. His album was a surprise success as well reaching #13 on the country charts and also a high placing on the Top 200. Several more singles including a Spanish version of "It's Not the End of the World" followed but none of these singles came close to the Top 40 except "Even If I Tried" which reached #41 in 1996. In 1997, he released a second country album, "It's On The House" but it was not as successful as his first country album. Two more minor country singles followed and gradually Emilio faded from country music and increasingly came back to Tejano music.
Personal life
Navaira has two siblings; Raul "Raulito" Navaira whom performs back-up vocals for Grupo Rio, and Yvette Navaira.Navaira has five children. His two children from his first marriage to Cynthia Navaira also perform for Grupo Rio. Emilio Navaira IV plays drums, and Diego Navaira plays guitar. He also has three from his second marriage to Maru Navaira.
In June 2011 Navaira's second wife, Maru, filed for divorce.
Driving accidents
Navaira was hospitalized in critical condition after his tour busSleeper bus
A sleeper bus is a type of specially adapted coach, often used to transport bands and their technicians and road crew between cities and shows....
crashed early in the morning on March 23, 2008, in Bellaire
Bellaire, Texas
Bellaire is a city in southwest Harris County, Texas, United States, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 15,642 and is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston and West University Place....
(a small municipality partially surrounded by Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
). Navaira had performed the previous night at Hallabaloos, a Houston nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
and he was at the wheel of the tour bus as it traveled north along west 610 Loop
Interstate 610 (Texas)
Interstate 610 is a freeway that forms a forty-two-mile loop around the downtown sector of city of Houston, Texas. Interstate 610, colloquially known as "The Loop", "Loop 610", "The 610 Loop", or just "610", traditionally marks the border between the inner city of Houston and its surrounding areas...
near the Southwest Freeway when it crashed into a set of freeway barrels shortly before 4 a.m. Emilio was taken by Life Flight
Life Flight
Memorial Hermann Life Flight is an air medical transport service based in Houston, Texas. Life Flight flies into 12th floor of the John S. Dunn Heli-Stop atop Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. It was founded in 1976.-History:...
to Memorial Hermann Hospital
Memorial Hermann Hospital
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is the largest not-for-profit hospital system in Houston, Texas, and consists of 11 hospitals, 7 Cancer Centers, 3 Heart & Vascular Institutes, and 27 sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, in addition to other outpatient and rehabilitation centers. It was...
where a blood clot in his head was removed; Emilio's initial treatment included being kept in a medically-induced coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
and induced hypothermia to minimize brain swelling. Doctors cautioned that he might not survive.
A March 27, 2008 press release from Memorial Hermann Hospital reported that on the evening of March 26 Emilio "opened his eyes and moved his arms and legs." On April 4, 2008, the hospital announced that Emilio underwent a surgical procedure on March 31 to repair a pseudoaneurysm
Pseudoaneurysm
A pseudoaneurysm, also known as a false aneurysm, is a hematoma that forms as the result of a leaking hole in an artery. Note that the hematoma forms outside the arterial wall, so it is contained by the surrounding tissues. Also it must continue to communicate with the artery to be considered a...
in his right lung and that he remained in critical condition. On April 16, 2008, he was upgraded to fair condition. On April 23, the hospital announced that Emilio was transferred to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) at Memorial Hermann as part of his rehabilitative care.
On May 1, 2008, police released initial reports that indicated that Emilio was intoxicated at the time of the crash. On May 8, the full report was released which indicated that Emilio had a blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content , also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes....
of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit in Texas. Authorities also indicated that Emilio was not licensed to drive a bus.
On September 24, 2008, Emilio was involved in another car accident in San Antonio as a passenger while his wife was driving. According to a witness, the Navairas were stopped in a turn lane when a truck crossed at least two lanes of traffic and struck their vehicle. Both Emilio and his wife Maria were released from the hospital the following day. Emilio's agent, Joe Casias, stated that Emilio and his wife were headed home from a rehabilitation therapy appointment stemming from the March tour bus accident.
Legal troubles
Navaira has been arrested twice on DUI charges, paying a fine and serving probation for the first one in 2000 while the second arrest from 2005 remains unresolved.He pleaded guilty to DWI charges stemming from the crash on March 13, 2009; he was sentenced to three days in jail and 27 days of house arrest.
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Latin | Regional Mexican | US Country | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
||
| 1989 | Emilio Navaira y Rio Band | 8 | |||
| 1990 | Sensaciones | ||||
| 1991 | Shoot It | 14 | |||
| 1992 | Unsung Highways | 32 | 11 | ||
| Shuffle Time | |||||
| 1993 | Emilio Live | 18 | 7 | ||
| Southern ExposureA | 4 | 2 | |||
| 1994 | Sound Life | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1995 | Life Is Good Life Is Good (Emilio album) Life Is Good is the first country music album by American Tejano music artist Emilio. It was released by Capitol Nashville on September 26, 1995. Its first single, "It's Not the End of the World," reached the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart... |
13 | 82 | ||
| 1996 | Quédate | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1997 | It's on the House | 50 | |||
| A Mi Gente | 46 | 15 | |||
| 2000 | El Rey del Rodeo | ||||
| 2001 | Lo Dice Tu Mirada | ||||
| 2002 | Acuérdate | ||||
| 2003 | Entre Amigos | ||||
| 2007 | De Nuevo |
- ASouthern Exposure also peaked at #39 on US HeatseekersTop HeatseekersTop Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
.
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot Latin | Latin Regional Mexican Latin Regional Mexican Airplay Regional Mexican Songs is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It was established by the magazine on October 8, 1994 with La Niña Fresa by Banda Z being the first song to reach number-one. It features Latin music information from different genres like Mariachi, Norteño, Banda and... |
US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1994 | "Ya Ahora Es Tarde" (w/ Roberto Pulido)A | 17 | Te Vi Partir (Roberto Pulido album) | |||
| 1995 | "¿Dónde Andará?" | 25 | Soundlife | |||
| "Ya" | 18 | 13 | ||||
| "It's Not the End of the World" | 27 | Life Is Good | ||||
| "No Es el Fin del Mundo"B | 18 | 12 | ||||
| 1996 | "Even If I Tried" | 41 | ||||
| "I Think We're On to Something" | 56 | 80 | ||||
| "Have I Told You Lately Have I Told You Lately "Have I Told You Lately" is a hit song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad often played at weddings although it was originally written also as a prayer.... " |
62 | 80 | ||||
| "Por Siempre Unidos" (w/ Ednita Nazario Ednita Nazario Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who has achieved stardom both at home and abroad. She has been in the music business from a young age, and has released over twenty albums throughout her career.... and Graciela Beltrán)C |
17 | single only | ||||
| "Quédate" | 32 | 17 | Quédate | |||
| 1997 | "Hoy Me Siento Feliz" | 39 | ||||
| "I'd Love You to Love Me" | 56 | 77 | It's on the House | |||
| "She Gives" | 73 | |||||
| 2000 | "Esperando Su Llamada" | 40 | El Rey del Rodeo | |||
| 2002 | "Lo Dice Tu Mirada"A | 35 | Lo Dice Tu Mirada |
- ACredited to Emilio Navaira.
- B"No Es El Fin del Mundo" is a Spanish-language version of "It's Not the End of the World".
- C"Por Siempre Unidos" also peaked at #7 on Latin Pop AirplayLatin Pop AirplayLatin Pop Airplay is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information from pop music usually in Spanish. It was established by the magazine on October 8, 1994 with Mañana by Cristian Castro being the first song to reach number-one...
.
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "It's Not the End of the World" | Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann is a Canadian music video and film director. He has directed over 200 music videos. Goldmann also directed the movies Broken Bridges and Trailer Park of Terror, and has additionally directed several television programs.-1990-1999:... |
| 1996 | "Even If I Tried" | Michael Merriman |
| "I Think We're On to Something" | ||
| "Have I Told You Lately" | ||
| 1997 | "I'd Love You to Love Me" | |
| "She Gives" |
External links
- Memorial Hermann Hospital newsroom - updates on Emilio's condition
- Tejano star Emilio Navaira injured in Houston bus crash - Dash cam video, audios, and pictures of the crash scene