From the dance halls to the main stage, from small town Texas to the big cities, musica tejana is rapidly becoming known as a rich and vibrant form of American music. The 20th century has seen Texas Mexican music balance between the traditional and the modern, remaining rooted in Mexico while taking nourishment from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. In this book the author provides a history of the evolution of musica tejana - its ups and downs and its importance to Mexican Texas culture in the context of Anglo-Mexican relations. He also discusses the more recent development of the Tejano recording industry and the role women have begun to play in an industry long dominated by men.