Manzanero Launches New Program “La Música Con Manzanero”

Armando Manzanero is heading back to television…

The 78-year-old Mexican musician and composer is launching the new show La Música Con Manzanero.

Armando Manzanero

Manzanero, whose career spans more than five decades, has penned more than 400 songs. At a recent event to promote the new program, the legendary singer/songwriter said he was thrilled to be launching a show that highlights other songwriters through performance and interviews.

Canal 22 International, the arts and entertainment channel based in Mexico, is producing the new show, which is seen both in Mexico and the U.S. The network features everything from documentaries to Mexican movies and news programs and is seen in the U.S. through DirectTV.

Throughout the show’s 13 episodes, Manzanero will guide viewers through the musical history of romantic music from Mexico with guests such as Aleks Syntek, Ely Guerra, Celso Piña and Alex Lora, among other artists.

During a recent presentation at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, Manzanero and Canal 22 executives introduced the new program before the guest of honor took to the piano and performed a few of his classics. His songs have been performed by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to Andrea Bocelli.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Manzanero said. “It’s also about [Mexican] roots and it’s something that’s meaningful to me. When I see the kind of programming that Canal 22 provides, it gives me pride because it’s important to keep bringing these shows to people.”

The program, Manzanero said, first took place about a decade ago, but it was short-lived. He didn’t have to think twice, he added, to jump on a chance to be part of the new show, which explores different styles of music.

“Mexican music is what best presents us in Mexico,” Manzanero said. “It’s really beautiful music and it’s important that the rest of the world continue to see what we do through art.”

La Música Con Manzanero airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

Morrison to Headline Austin’s Pachanga Latino Music Festival

Carla Morrison is about to pachanga in Texas…

The 26-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter, who won a Latin Grammy last November for best alternative song, will perform at this year’s Pachanga Latino Music Festival next month.

Carla Morrison

It’ll be Morrison’s first appearance at the festival, which will be held on May 10 and 11 at Fiesta Gardens in Austin, Texas.

In addition to Morrison, other big name performers for the sixth installment of the festival include Intocable, Los Lobos and 3Ball MTY.

Intocable and 3Ball MTY will headline on Friday night, while Morrison, Celso Piña and Enjambre are among the main acts on Saturday night.

The bill also features Grupo Fantasma, Vallejo, Este Vato, Gina Chavez, Como Las Movies, Bang Data, Susan Torres y Conjunto Clemencia, Selena y Los Burritos, Miranda Gil and Anthropos Musicians Collective.

“We are so excited about the line-up this year,” says Rich Garza, founder of festival, in a statement. “The addition of Carla Morrison and Enjambre to this year really brings us up another notch. We love that we can showcase all this music from Mexico, Austin and beyond.”

Tickets are on sale in one-day, two-day and VIP packages. Specially-priced general admission tickets start at $39 and are available with the full line-up at the Pachanga website.

A portion of all proceeds will benefit the FuturoFund Austin charity.