Castro Push to Add Texas and Latino Artists to National Recording Registry Lands 3 Additions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and longtime advocate for Latino representation in the media, celebrates this morning’s announcement that the Library of Congress has selected three of his nominations for the prestigious National Recording Registry.
This year, the Library of Congress inducted “Mambo No. 5” by Pérez Prado (1950), “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1983) (Album), and “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970) from Congressman Castro’s nominations to the growing small percentage of Latino and Texas musicians currently represented in the registry.
“This year, with the help of hundreds of people who submitted suggestions, my office nominated 29 Latino and 25 Texas songs and albums for inclusion into the National Recording Registry. Today’s announcement is a powerful reminder of the lasting influence of music giants like Pérez Prado, José Feliciano, and Texan Stevie Ray Vaughn. Pérez Prado’s Afro-Cuban beats, José Feliciano’s soulful tenor, and Stevie Ray’s Vaughn’s emotive style on the guitar are embedded in the hearts of many. I am proud to have nominated these talented artists and will continue to push for Latino and Texas talent to be celebrated and to grow their rightful place in the registry,” said Congressman Castro.
Background:
This year, the office of Congressman Joaquin Castro received over 400 suggestions from the community. Congressman Castro personally curated a list of 29 songs and albums by Latino artists and a list 25 songs and albums by Texas artists.
Since it was established by Congress in 2000, the National Recording Registry has worked to preserve recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. For the last nineteen years, the Library of Congress has selected 25 recordings for inclusion each year, with works by Latino and Texas musicians vastly underrepresented.
Over the last four years, as part of his long-running efforts to improve the recognition of Latino contributions to American history and culture, Congressman Castro has solicited public suggestions for congressional nominations to the National Recording Registry.
With this year’s addition, Congressman Castro has successfully nominated 10 musical titles to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress—Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” (1990), Héctor Lavoe’s “El Cantante” (1978), Irene Cara’s “Flashdance…What A Feeling” (1983), Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (2004), Vicente Fernandez’s “El Rey” (1973), Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (1974), Lin Manuel Miranda’s album “Hamilton” (2015), “Mambo No. 5” by Pérez Prado (1950), “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1983) (Album), and “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970).
Later this year, Congressman Castro will launch a new call for suggestions to shape his nominations for additions to the National Recording Registry that are expected in 2027.