Thanksgiving has come and gone and it’s time to lose the extra pounds. And what better way to do it than by walking the halls of the newly opened Conjunto Museum in San Benito. The museum is one of the best things to happen to conjunto music, and it was made possible largely by the arduous work of Rey Avila, an undying conjunto junkie. I remember talking to Rey a few years ago about his desire to have a conjunto museum in the area, but at the time to me it seemed like an unreachable goal. Well, thanks for proving me wrong, Rey. This man’s devotion to conjunto music and his desire to preserve the  genre’s rich tradition is worthy of admiration. If you get a chance to swing by San Benito, stop at the museum, 210 E. Haywood, and admire our rich conjunto tradition … and the work of a man with a vision.

Give thanks for Graham’s, becuase it’s one of the few places that books Tejano bands. Need proof of it? Tonight, Jimmy Gonzalez and Grupo Mazz will headline the Thanksgiving night dance, and Jay Perez will play on Friday. There you have it, a Tejano Thanksgiving.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, if that is the case, than Intocable is the most flattered band in the history of Conjunto, Norteño and Tejano combined. Take a listen to many of the bands out there today and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Anyway, the real deal will be in concert Wednesday at the Convention Center in McAllen. Tickets are $41 per person in general admission and $107 for those wishing to the VIP treatment.

Norteño music great Ramon Ayala is working with Dodge Arena and other entities to collect donations for flood victims in the Mexican state of Tabasco. The floods displaced almost 1 million people and left 80 percent of the state under water. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Nov. 19. For information on the items needed, call 956-648-0810. Let’s give a little to those who have nothing.

Who said Tejano is dead? This was recorded just a couple of months ago in Kansas. Enjoy!

I just got an invitation to a gala to raise funds for the San Benito History Museum, Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum and Freddy Fender Museum. Those wishing to contribute to this worthwhile cause will need to fork over $40 per person or $75 per couple. The event will feature music, drinks and appetizers. The events will happen from 7 to 11 p.m. Nov. 17 at the San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Haywood. To get more information, call Tootie Madden at 793-6997, Rey Avila at 245-1666 or Ron Rogers at 367-1591. I’ll keep you posted on developments.

I’ve ranting a little about the lack of Tejano music on the radio, so I thought it would be fitting to tell you about some Web sites where you can get a healthy dose of tunes. Tejanovibes.com many links to mixes and Web casts, and one of those notable links is tejanofm.com, a site with a good repertoire. Another good site is haciendaradio.com, which features a lot of the old-school favorites like Jesse Serrata, Josefa, Los Chachos, Ruben Vela and mucho mas. The site allows you to request songs from their play list, and the requests are played immediately - no need to wait half an hour to hear your tune.

Who is in charge of programming at the Valley’s so-called Tejano station? Yesterday, after a nice interview with some of the Home Town Boys, they played a great polka only to go and blow it by following it with a banda song. What the heck? If I want banda I’ll tune to one of the many stations that plays the genre, so quit trying to pass tamborilero music as Tejano! But, hey, I guess it takes some intelligence to know the difference …

I just got word that Marlissa Vela, daughter of the great Ruben Vela, is looking to restart her musical career. She released a few records under the Hacienda label before taking a hiatus. It’ll be a treat to see her back on the stage. 

There once was a time… when Afros were Chicano chic.