The 52-year-old Mexican American guitarist, songwriter and author has joined PETA‘s new campaign to remind people that animals can die of heatstroke inside parked cars in as little as 15 minutes.
“That connection I feel with dogs is something special to me. I consider them as part of the family,” says the former Selena y Los Dinos guitarist and Selena Quintanilla’s husband in the clip. “When I hear about a dog [who] gets left in a car, it’s really upsetting. It’s sad. It happens so fast.”
In the one-minute video, he also encouraged pet owners to take the right measurements or leave them at home.
Joe Ojeda proves it’s never too late to kick start your career…
The Latino singer, who kicked off his music career in the ‘80s as part of Texas-based duo The Bad Boyz alongside Pete Astudillo, kicks off his solo music career with his debut single “Dueña de tu Cama” in collaboration with Victoria La Mala, Yorch, and former Los Dinos guitarist and Grammy-winning artist, Chris Perez.
After being discovered by Abraham Quintanilla Jr., both Ojeda and Astudillo officially formed part of Selena y Los Dinos in 1988. The self-taught musician was Selena’s keyboard player until her untimely death in 1995.
“It’s been a while but I’m happy to be doing my solo project,” he tells Billboard of his edgy hip-hop-infused cumbia track.
“I always carry music in my heart and what inspires me is my family, my two daughters, my wife, and my good friends,” he notes. “I’ve always been a fan of cumbia. It’s a contagious rhythm that you can fuse with different elements so that a new sound is born.”
In “Dueña de tu Cama,” Ojeda married traditional cumbia melodies with a touch of urban-pop and rock. The track comes on the heels of all four artists teaming up for the powerful corrido, “Nuestra Tierra,” part of Victoria La Mala’s EP Soy Mala.
“The chemistry is amazing,” he admits. “Everybody brings something different to the table and that works out in a good way. When you get different ideas, you know something good is bound to happen. ‘Dueña de tu Cama’ came out better than I envisioned.”
But Ojeda didn’t exactly disappear after Selena’s passing.
He actually co-wrote and co-produced songs for many artists including Veronica Castro, Chris Perez, and Jennifer y Los Jetz, to name a few. Most notably, he co-penned Astudillo’s heartfelt “Como Te Extraño,” which peaked at No. 2 on both Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts dated January 13, 1996. On the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, it was No. 1 for 10 weeks starting Nov. 18, 1995.
“It was such an honor to be onstage with Selena. I’m very grateful and fortunate,” he says. “It’s a huge inspiration that I take with me. Being one of Los Dinos taught me a lot and how to go about my own music career. I know she would be so proud of me and my No. 1 fan. I can imagine her big charismatic smile, asking me to join ‘Dueña de tu Cama.’ I feel that she’s always supporting me.”
“I was born on the border, so I connect with mariachi, rock, and romantic ballads,” he explains. “I can get a piece of each genre and create a fresh sound. It’s time to bring cumbia back!”
Up next, Ojeda will drop the official music video for “Dueña de tu Cama” and plans on releasing more collaborations. “Thanks to all of Selena’s fans who support my career and motivate me to continue making music,” he concludes.
Selena Quintanilla’s legacy lives on through her music, which continues to be performed by some unlikely artists…
Country singer Kacey Musgraves, who picked up four Grammys this year, including Album of the Year, surprised her fans with a cover of Selena’s “Como La Flor” at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Monday night.
Donning bell bottoms, her signature big hair and some serious Spanish-speaking skills, Musgraves’ performance hit close to home; Selena’s iconic concert, during which she wore a sparkly purple jumpsuit and red lipstick, took place at the Astrodome 24 years ago.
The February 26, 1995 show marked Selena’s third, and final, RodeoHouston appearance.
Selena gave her final live performance on February 26th, 1995, at the Houston Astrodome with nearly 67,000 in attendance. A live recording of the show (Live! The Last Concert) concludes with “Como la Flor,” which had been a massive hit for Selena (credited to Selena y Los Dinos) in 1992. One month after the Houston performance, she was murdered by her former fan club president Yolanda Saldívar. Her impact is still being felt nearly a quarter century later — in Musgraves’ performance, the awed Houston crowd sings along with a mix of reverent emotion and enthusiastic glee.
Selena’s sister approved of Musgraves’ tribute.
“Awww this makes me wanna shed a tear! Takes me back,” she wrote on Instagram. “A Big Big Thank you @spaceykacey for the love at the Houston Rodeo tonite with that SELENA Y LOS DINOSJam!”
