Carmen Espinoza-Rodriquez
Encyclopedia
Carmen Espinoza-Rodriquez (born July 16, 1970 in Muleshoe, Texas
) is an American singer-songwriter
. She is one of ten children of Camilo Espinoza, Jr., and Maria Guadalupe Orozco Espinoza. Carmen attended Texas Tech
in Lubbock
and West Texas A&M University
in Canyon
. She received her degree in the study of Montessori Education in 1997.
, Marlon Brando
, and The Lennon Sisters
). Her love for music and stage grew. In high school, she received the Louis Armstrong
Jazz Award for vocals. Soon after, she was asked to be the lead vocalist for Hacienda Records artist, Algo Simple. After a twelve year span with Algo Simple, she decided to go solo. It was at this turning point when she was recommended by CMA
Award winning singer-songwriter
Susan Gibson
(writer "Wide Open Spaces
") to appear on a PBS video documentary. Inspired, she recorded an original composition and shot a video entitled America that has since been featured in two PBS documentaries; Celebrate America! and Southwest Expressions. Past members of her band include Robin Brannon from the Christian vocal group Acappella (group)
. Carmen was invited to record and perform as a special guest with the WTAMU Jazz
Ensemble. During this time, she was approached to go on tour with Texas X-press, an outreach touring troupe for the outdoor musical drama Texas Legacies. It was during the tour that she was asked by the executive producer of Texas Legacies to take on the lead role (and was the first minority to be offered a lead role) as Maria Hinojosa' in Texas Legacies. Carmen accepted the role for the 2003 season. Since then, she has shared the stage with country artists including Lee Roy Van Dyke, Steve Wariner
, Restless Heart
, Holly Dunn
, and Michael Martin Murphey
.
Muleshoe, Texas
Muleshoe is a small city in Bailey County, Texas, United States. The town of Muleshoe was founded in 1913 when the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway built an line from Farwell, Texas to Lubbock through northern Bailey County. In 1926, Muleshoe was incorporated. The population was 5,158 at the 2010...
) is an American singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. She is one of ten children of Camilo Espinoza, Jr., and Maria Guadalupe Orozco Espinoza. Carmen attended Texas Tech
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
and West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
in Canyon
Canyon, Texas
Canyon is a city in Randall County, Texas, United States. The population was 12,875 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randall County. It is the home of West Texas A&M University and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is some twelve miles east of Canyon...
. She received her degree in the study of Montessori Education in 1997.
Biography
Her first performance was at the age of six with her father, (who performed with Bob WillsBob Wills
James Robert Wills , better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western Swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader, considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western Swing and universally known as the pioneering King of Western Swing.Bob Wills' name will forever be associated with...
, Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
, and The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters are a singing group consisting of four siblings: Dianne , Peggy , Kathy , and Janet . They were all born in Los Angeles, California of German/Irish and Mexican ancestry. The original quartet were the eldest four in a family of twelve siblings...
). Her love for music and stage grew. In high school, she received the Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
Jazz Award for vocals. Soon after, she was asked to be the lead vocalist for Hacienda Records artist, Algo Simple. After a twelve year span with Algo Simple, she decided to go solo. It was at this turning point when she was recommended by CMA
CMA
- Accounting :* Cash management account* Certified Management Accountant, an accountant who has met certain qualifications* Certified market analyst, a financial analyst who has met certain qualifications set by the American Academy of Financial Management...
Award winning singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Susan Gibson
Susan Gibson
Susan Gibson is a Wimberley, TX based singer-sonwriter who has released four solo albums and tours the nation. Gibson was the lead singer for the alternative country band, The Groobees, and is the writer of the Dixie Chicks hit Wide Open Spaces....
(writer "Wide Open Spaces
Wide Open Spaces
Wide Open Spaces is the major label debut of American country music band the Dixie Chicks, and the fourth studio album overall, released in 1998 . It was their first record with new lead vocalist Natalie Maines, and became their breakthrough commercial success...
") to appear on a PBS video documentary. Inspired, she recorded an original composition and shot a video entitled America that has since been featured in two PBS documentaries; Celebrate America! and Southwest Expressions. Past members of her band include Robin Brannon from the Christian vocal group Acappella (group)
Acappella (group)
Acappella is an all-male Contemporary Christian vocal group founded in 1982 by Keith Lancaster, who has variously played the role of singer, songwriter and producer throughout the group's history...
. Carmen was invited to record and perform as a special guest with the WTAMU Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
Ensemble. During this time, she was approached to go on tour with Texas X-press, an outreach touring troupe for the outdoor musical drama Texas Legacies. It was during the tour that she was asked by the executive producer of Texas Legacies to take on the lead role (and was the first minority to be offered a lead role) as Maria Hinojosa' in Texas Legacies. Carmen accepted the role for the 2003 season. Since then, she has shared the stage with country artists including Lee Roy Van Dyke, Steve Wariner
Steve Wariner
Steven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
, Restless Heart
Restless Heart
Restless Heart is an American country music band established in 1984. The band's original members were John Dittrich , Paul Gregg , Dave Innis , Greg Jennings , and Verlon Thompson...
, Holly Dunn
Holly Dunn
Holly Dunn is a country music artist who first found fame with her 1986 Top-10 hit "Daddy's Hands" from her self-titled début album. Dunn has charted more than a dozen country singles, two of which reaching the #1 spot.Dunn is the daughter of a minister father...
, and Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey is an American singer-songwriter best known for writing and performing Western music, Country music, and Popular music. A multiple Grammy nominee, Murphey has six gold albums, including Cowboy Songs, the first album of cowboy music to achieve gold status since Gunfighter...
.
Honors and awards
- The Amarillo Globe News Golden Nail Award 2003 - Nominee
- Texas Commission of the Arts Texas State Musician Award 2008 - Nominee
Albums
- Algo Simple - Algo Simple - 1997
- Cumbia Del Sol - Algo Simple - Hacienda Records 2001
Special Guest Appearance
- WTAMU Jazz - WTAMU Jazz Band I - WTAMU Records
- Destiny - Gregg Diamond - Papalote Records 2005
Television Appearances / Video Documentaries
- Celebrate America! PBS 2002
- Southwest Expressions PBS 2007