Congressman Castro Kicks off Inaugural Call for Texas Music Nominations to the National Recording Registry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced his first ever call for songs and albums by Texas artists to the National Recording Registry, highlighting Texas’ rich music heritage and legacy.
“Texas is a hub for creative talent and the birthplace of many iconic musicians in various genres. From George Strait’s soul-stirring country to Beto Villa’s orquesta Tejana, Texas artists represent a blend of various cultures, styles, and languages. This year, I want to honor their legacy by nominating Texas artists who have shaped the music industry in Texas and beyond,” said Congressman Castro.
Both songs and albums can be submitted by visiting castro.house.gov/texasmusic. To qualify for nomination, selections must be at least ten years old. Submissions must be submitted by Sunday, September 21st at 11:59 PM CT to be eligible for Congressman Castro’s official nomination.
Background:
The National Recording Registry was established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 with a mission to preserve sounds and recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. Every year, the National Recording Preservation Board selects 25 additional recordings to preserve in the National Recording Registry.
As of 2025, the National Recording Registry includes 675 recordings. Less than 5% of current recordings can be attributed to Texas artists. Current Texas artists in the National Recording Registry include: Mance Lipscomb’s “Texas Sharecropper and Songster” (1960), Narciso Martinez and Santiago Almeida’s “La Chicharronera” (1936), and Bob Will’s “New San Antonio Rose” (1940).
For the last three years, Congressman Castro has submitted annual Registry nomination lists to increase the visibility of Latino recording artists who should be considered for inclusion. This year, Congressman Castro is launching a nomination process for Texas artists who also deserve national recognition.
Since Congressman Castro began submitting nomination lists in 2022, the National Recording Preservation Board has inducted 7 of his selections – 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), and Lin Manuel Miranda’s album “Hamilton” (2015).