Tony Elizondo Named New Frontman of Calibre 50

Tony Elizondo is officially frontin’

The Mexican singer has been officially unveiled as the new frontman of norteño band Calibre 50.

Tony Elizondo, Calibre 50The announcement comes after a month of auditions searching for a new lead singer to replace Edén Muñoz.

“We begin a new era in our career as we welcome Tony Elizondo,” the group captioned the announcement on social media, which included a photo of the Nuevo León-born artist with his new band mates.

Elizondo joins the chart-topping Mexican band following former frontman Muñoz‘s departure back in January when he announced he was leaving the group he founded in 2010 and launching his solo career.

Following Muñoz’s announcement, Calibre 50 opened auditions to aspiring singers in search of the next member to join remaining members Armando Ramos, Alejandro Gaxiola and Erick García.

Before being named winner of the competition, Elizondo shared his audition on social media saying he was simply grateful for the experience. “

This was my audition for Calibre 50,” he wrote. “I’m so happy to have just been able to be part of this competition, I already feel like a winner.”

Now, the musician who started his career playing at local events is the frontman of a veteran group that’s a staple in Mexican music, and has placed 21 No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart and seven No. 1 albums on the Regional Mexican Albums tally.

The audition and the beginning of a new era also coincide with the band’s 12th anniversary.

“We are celebrating 12 years of great success. A story is always written with different chapters so today we begin to write our next chapter,” Jesus Tirado, president of Andaluz Music (Calibre 50’s label), previously told Billboard. “We are grateful to God for so many blessings, and to the public for all their support and unconditional love. We are sure that the story continues because the union and respect in our company are what has led us to be what we are today.”

Edén Muñoz Leaving Calibre 50 to Launch Solo Career

Edén Muñoz is re-Calibre-ating his career…

The Mexican singer and accordionist is leaving Calibre 50 after 12 years to launch his solo career.

Edén Muñoz

Lizos Music announced the move in a statement this week the frontman of the norteño band has also signed a record and management deal with the indie label and management company spearheaded by Sergio Lizárraga.

Lizos Music is also home to artists like Banda MS and Natalia Jiménez.

Muñoz founded Calibre 50 in 2010, and the group quickly become known for its norteño sound via anthems like “El Inmigrante” and “A La Antiguita,” placing seven No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart. Their most recent album, Vamos Bien, peaked at No. 8 on the tally dated September 11.

Earlier in January, the group scored its 21st No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated January 22) with their Marco Antonio Solís cover “Si Te Puediera Mentir.”

With 21 leaders on the group’s account, the band from Sinaloa extends its record for the most No. 1 since Regional Mexican Airplay launched in 1994.

As a songwriter, Muñoz has penned most of Calibre 50’s repertoire, and has also written chart-topping hits for Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Yuridia, Banda MS and Carlos Rivera, among many others.

Last year, Muñoz was named songwriter of the year at the annual 2021 SESAC Latin Music Awards. He won songwriter of the year in the regional Mexican category for the second time for songs penned both for Calibre 50 (“Barquillero,” “Solo Tú”) and for other groups, including Banda MS (“Cerrando Ciclos”) and Banda Carnaval (“Esta Vez Soy Yo”). Muñoz’s publisher, Dulce María Music, won publisher of the year, Regional Mexican.

According to the press release, 2022 will be a “year that will mark the beginning of a very productive era for both Muñoz and Lizos.”

“I feel alive again. I feel like I’ve escaped monotony. I’m motivated now that I have creative freedom,” says Muñoz of his decision to go solo.

His upcoming new solo single “Chale” is due out on February 18.

Edén Muñoz & Manuel Turizo Named Songwriters of the Year at SESAC Latin Music Awards

Edén Muñoz and Manuel Turizo are sharing a special honor…

The 30-year-old Mexican singer, the charismatic lead singer of regional Mexican group Calibre 50, and the 21-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter have both been recognized as Songwriter of the Year at the annual SESAC Latin Music Awards 2021.

Eden Munoz & Manuel Turizo

It’s the first time in awards history that the top award was presented in two categories — Regional Mexican and Pop/Latin Rhythm — and it underscores how both urban and regional Mexican music have taken a front seat in Latin music in the past year.

Muñoz won songwriter of the year in the regional Mexican category for the second time for songs penned both for Calibre 50 (“Barquillero,” “Solo Tú”) and for other groups, including Banda MS (“Cerrando Ciclos”) and Banda Carnaval (“Esta Vez Soy Yo”). All were recognized with SESAC Latina Performance Awards.

Muñoz’s publisher, Dulce María Music, won publisher of the year, Regional Mexican.

Turizo, who often writes with brother Julián and is known for his deep, velvety voice, won songwriter of the year, Pop/Latin Rhythm for the first time with his songs “TBT,” “Quiéreme Mientras Se Pueda,” “Te Quemaste,” “Pegao,” “La Nota” and “No Encuentro Palabras,” which were all recognized with SESAC Latina Performance Awards.

His publisher, Sony Sounds (Sony Music Publishing) won publisher of the year for the sixth consecutive year.

The song of the year award in regional Mexican went to Christian Nodal for “Se Me Olvidó.” The track peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart and spent 23 weeks on the chart.

In the Pop / Latin Rhythm category, song of the year went to Ñengo Flow for “Safaera,” the hit he wrote and performed with Jowell & Randy and Bad Bunny for Bunny’s hit album YHLQMDLG.

The track peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Although these year’s winners will be announced on SESAC’s social media channels and website due to the pandemic, the organization has honored the best in Latin music every year for nearly three decades.

“There is no doubt that music makes our world a better place to enjoy life, helping us overcome any difficult situation like the one we are facing now,” said Celeste Zendejas, vice president of SESAC Latina. “Thanks to all our songwriters for capturing all their experiences and feelings in each song.”

“It has been an exciting year in Latin music, and we are proud to celebrate and honor SESAC Latina’s songwriters’ and publishers’ most performed songs,” said Sam Kling, senior vice president of creative operations, SESAC Rights Management in an official statement. “Their songs have blended genres, transcended eras, and made their way to non-Spanish speaking audiences in unprecedented ways.”

Neto Bernal Releases New Version of Luis Miguel-Hit “Hasta Que Me Olvides”

Neto Bernal isn’t forgetting an iconic hit… He’s reimagining it!

The 23-year-old Mexican Regional Mexican music newcomer has released “Hasta Que Me Olvides,” his sierreño version of Luis Miguel’s 1993 hit written by Juan Luis Guerra.

Neto Bernal

The heartfelt track, on which Bernal beautifully flaunts his powerhouse vocals, is the lead single from Bernal’s new EP of the same name.

The set is home to six tracks, including the mariachi version of “Si Quieres” in collaboration with Carolina Ross.

Eden Muñoz and Salvador Aponte also worked on the project as composers.

An emotional music video shows Neto and his onscreen girlfriend get in a car accident and stay by each other’s sides during the recovery. 

Alejandro Fernandez Announces 19-Date U.S. Leg of “Hecho en México” Tour

Alejandro Fernandez is rarin’ to get back on the road…

After a more than 12-month hiatus that saw him interrupt his tour mid-start, the 49-year-old Mexican superstar has announced a 19-date U.S. tour.

Alejandro Fernandez

It’ll see him performing with 25 people onstage, including his full band, his Mexican mariachi, special guests Christian Nodal and his son, Alex Fernández, as well as a handful of guests in different cities.

The “Hecho en México” tour, so named after Fernández’s Grammy-nominated album (out on Universal Music Latin), kicks off on September 10 in Reno, and ends October 24 in Phoenix.

The tour is presented by Live Nation, and tickets go on sale on April 16 at 10:00 am on Ticketmaster.

The tour will play to full capacity venues, says Luana Pagani, a partner in Seitrack, Fernandez’s management team. For these venues, it translates to 5,800 people at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden to nearly 15,000 at The Forum in Los Angeles.

“Nothing is ‘normal’ yet in terms of venues, but we understand all venues will follow their protocols, and we will as well,” says Pagani.

All visa and work requirements for Fernández and his musicians have already been cleared, and Fernandez will also perform at the Latin American Music Awards April 15.

For Fernandez, the import of his tour announcement is not lost, especially as one of Latin music’s biggest stars, as the scion of one of Mexico’s most prominent musical families (his father is Vicente Fernández), and as the spokesperson of Families Belong Together. The campaign of the National Domestic Workers Alliance works to end family separation, and will receive a portion of the tours’ proceeds.

“We lost a lot of people in this pandemic — fiends, family,” Fernández tells Billboard. “So the most important thing is we’re coming back properly, doing things right and with a very important message after all that’s happened, which is thanking God that we’re alive.”

Fernández, a prolific touring act, is known — like his father — for his bravura performances that are long on time and high on quality.

For “Hecho en México,” he is upping the ante by touring for the first time ever with his son, Alex Fernández, who is 25 and signed to Sony. The prospect recalls Fernández’s own stage debut alongside his father, when he was only six years old.

However, says Fernández, “I only started to tour when I was 18, so we’re not that far apart. Alex is a good kid. He’s dedicated and professional. He’s seen how my father works, and he’s seen how I work, and he’s responsible. He’s hungry to do things right.”

Fernández will also invite rising ranchero/norteño star Christian Nodal as a special guest on at least three tour stops. The two became close after recording the hit “Duele” together. It was the kind of cross-generational collaboration Fernández had not done before in Mexican music.

Fernández, that rare artist who’s able to navigate easily between traditional pop and traditional regional Mexican music, had most often collaborated with pop acts, and in his concerts he tends to mix styles and outfits to represent his two styles of music.

Partnering with Nodal, and also with Edén Muñoz of Calibre 50, who will be a guest in at least one show, highlights a new generation of Mexican music starts that are propelling the music forward.

“There’s a resurging interest for Mexican music,” agrees Fernández. “In fact, I’ll be singing some of my pop material, but in more Mexican arrangements.”

Fernández will also perform the entire tour dressed in the traditional formal charro garb that includes the broad-rimmed hat, tight decorated pants and a short fitted jacket.

That’s good news for Mexican fans, who are expected to fly in from Mexico to see Fernández’s shows, particularly on the West Coast. The month of September, which has traditionally drawn Mexican tourists to Las Vegas for the many Latin music performances that take place there as part of Mexican Independence, is expected to see a surge in travel, as concerts have not restarted in Mexico.

“Last year I had played Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City and a couple of dates in Guadalajara and then we had to put everything on hold,” says Fernández. “This will be an epic return.”

Here are the dates and venues for the “Hecho En Mexico” tour:

*with Alex Fernandez
+with Christian Nodal

Fri, Sept. 10 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Theatre^
Sat, Sept. 11 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center*
Sun, Sept. 12 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center*
Wed, Sept. 15 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena*
Fri, Sept. 17 – Albuquerque, NM – Rio Rancho Events Center*
Sat, Sept. 18 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center*
Fri, Sept. 24 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land*
Sun, Sept. 26 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena*
Thurs, Sept. 30 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Fri, Oct. 1 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Sun, Oct. 3 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
Tues, Oct. 5 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
Fri, Oct. 8 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
Sat, Oct. 9 – Hidalgo, TX – Payne Arena*
Sun, Oct. 10 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center*
Fri, Oct. 15 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose+
Sat, Oct. 16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena+
Fri, Oct. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum+
Sun, Oct. 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre*

Carlos Rivera Releases “100 Años” Remix Featuring Maluma & Calibre 50

Carlos Rivera is (re)mixing things up…

After surprising fans with his Maluma-assisted “100 Años” last fall, the 34-year-old Mexican singer has recruited Regional Mexican group Calibre 50 for an epic remix.

Carlos Rivera

The remix dropped last weekend, just about three months after the original’s premiere on November 19, 2020.

Ay doloooor!! Bring out the tequilas!!!!” Rivera expressed on social media.

The original song showcases Rivera and Maluma pouring their hearts out to the mariachi melodies.

On the remix, Calibre 50, led by frontman and accordionist Edén Muñoz, gives the track a norteño-banda twist.

The lyrics to the song — co-written by Rivera, Maluma, Muñoz, Édgar Barrera, and Vicente Barco — express a relationship worth salvaging: “Though it’s said that nothing bad lasts 100 years, I wouldn’t want to be the first idiot to be the exception / A love like ours doesn’t come along every day, a love like ours is worth saving.”

The original music video, which features Rivera and the Colombian star, currently has over 48 million views. The remix was released with a lyric video representing the colors of the Mexican flag: green, white, and red.

Calibre 50 Earns 18th No. 1 Song on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Te Volvería a Elegir”

Calibre 50 has another hit single on its hands…

The Regional Mexican band has landed its 18th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, as “Te Volvería a Elegir” climbs 3-1 on the December 19 survey.

Calibre 50

The track posts a 21% gain in audience impressions, to 8.2 million, earned in the week ending December 13, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

Te Volvería,” written by lead singer and accordionist, Eden Muñoz, follows “Decepciones,” the band’s first pairing with Alejandro Fernández, which led the chart for one week (October 4-dated chart).

“Te Volvería” is the second single from the Sinaloan’s forthcoming effort slated for 2021. “Barquillero,” the album’s lead single, topped Regional Mexican Airplay for four consecutive weeks starting July 5.

With “Te Volvería’s” reign, Calibre 50 extends its record for the most No. 1s on the list, with 18. Conjunto Primavera and Intocable stand behind, both with 16.

Over on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, the tune ascends 11-5, granting the band its 21st top 10. The group breaks away from a tie with Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga and sets a record for the most top 10s among Regional Mexican bands since the chart launched in 1994.

On a broader spectrum, “Te Volvería” continues its ascent on Hot Latin Songs, which combines airplay, sales and streaming data, hiking 38-31 after peaking at No. 30 (December 5-dated list).

Banda MS Releases New Album “El Trabajo Es La Suerte”

Banda MS is feeling lucky

The Mexican band, whose full name is Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga, has released their new 18-track album El Trabajo Es La Suerte.

Banda-MS

It’s the band’s first album since Con Todas Las Fuerzas, which was released two years ago.

Staying true to their ranchera-tinged ballads and their showstopper bandasound, Banda MS recruited songwriters like Eden Muñoz, Espinoza Paz, Omar Tarazon, Joss Favela and Jhonny Zazueta to pen songs for the well-rounded album.

During aninterview with Billboard in May, Banda MS’ lead singers Alan Ramírez and Oswaldo Silvas shared details about the album.

“We had 10 songs for the album and we thought, ok, these are enough,” Ramírez said. “But then we started getting other songs and had like 20 in total and so we had to start selecting which ones we really wanted on there, the best ones and the ones we like the most.”

Coronel Among Speakers at the Billboard Latin Music Conference’s “Mexican Millennials” Panel

Luis Coronel is reporting for Millennial duty…

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer will appear at the 2015 Billboard Latin Music Conference as part of the new “Mexican Millennials” panel discussion on April 29 at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

Luis Coronel

Coronel, named Newcomer of the Year at the 2014 Premios Los Angeles, will be joined by Kevin Ortiz, Jorge Valenzuela, Remmy Valenzuela and Eden Muñoz of Calibre 50 at what is being heralded as one of the first panels of its kind.

The discussion will focus on the genre’s influence and success while shining a spotlight on some of regional-Mexican’s young stars who are impacting the way this genre is seen and heard in the new millennium.

Digital engagement will be a major component of the panel, as will discussions on musical styles and content, including narcocorridos, and the development of new fanbases in both the U.S. and Mexico.

The “Mexican Millennials” join a roster of speakers at the conference which includes Romeo Santos and a number of top new urban acts, including J Balvin, Nicky Jam and Farruko.

To register for the Billboard Latin Music conference, visit BillboardLatinConference.com.

Calibre 50 Earns No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart

It’s a Lucky No. 13 for Calibre 50 

The regional Mexican quartet comprised of Eden Muñoz (vocals, accordion), Armando Ramos (guitar, vocals), Martín López (tuba) and Augusto (drums) has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with “Javier El de Los Llanos.”

Calibre 50

Calibre 50’s song reaches the summit in its 13th week on the chart.

“Javier El de Los Llanos” reached 9.3 million audience impressions at the format (a 2 percent rise), according to Nielsen BDS.

The track dips slightly on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (12-14), while “Que Tiene de Malo,” featuring El Komander, jumps 29-21 receiving Airplay Gainer honors.

“Malo” climbs 34-21 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart with a 75 percent gain.