About
Mexican-American guitarist and singer who played Tejano, traditional Mexican-American music, on the twelve-string guitar in the late 20th century. She performed with family members and individually throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Before Fame
She grew up in a musical family and was singing from a young age. Her first recording session took place when she was 12, after answering an ad in a newspaper for Okeh Records.
Trivia
She was nicknamed "The Mother of Tejano Music", which is music with Mexican, Spanish, German, and Czech musical roots. At one point in her life, she taught at California State University, Fresno.
Family Life
She would perform with her sisters Juanita and Marie, the trio was called Las Hermanas Mendoza (the Mendoza sisters). She married Juan Alvarado in 1935 and the couple had three daughters. After his death, she married Fred Martínez.
Associated With
She was in the Inaugural Folk Dance and Concert at the inauguration of Jimmy Carter.
