Alice has long been recognized as “The Birthplace of Tejano” dating back to the mid 1940’s when Armando Marroquin, Sr. of Alice and partner Paco Bentacourt of San Benito, Texas launched what was to be the first home based recording company to record Tejano artists exclusively. Ideal Records, which was based in Alice, the heart of South Texas and under the direction of Marroquin became the perfect vehicle for Tejano groups and artists to get their music to the public. Marroquin, who also owned and operated a jukebox company, insured that Ideal recordings would be distributed throughout South Texas. The songs recorded, which were contributed by Tejano and Mexican composers became very popular through jukeboxes placed in restaurants, cantinas or any other establishment that would have them, and the then very scarce Spanish language radio programs.
  

May 3, 2001,Texas Governor Rick Perry signs House Bill 1019 desinating the City of Alice as the Official Birthplace of Tejano and The Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame as the Official Hall of Fame for Tejano Music.  House Bill 1019 was co-authored by State Representatives Ignacio Salinas and Richard Ramon and State Senator Carlos Truan.


First Queen Of Tejano 
Lydia Mendoza