The dance was part of an album release party for Hernandez celebrating the release of “This Time (Again)” and was held at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center on Sunday afternoon. The release party introduced the Tejano artist back into recording life after a seven-year break.
Hernandez, wearing a black beret on top of his head with a ponytail of long black hair flowing out the back, swayed to the music on the stage with a microphone in hand as his excitement and electricity spread to the gathered audience.
Those at the party sauntered onto the floor in cowboy boots and stilettos showing their dance moves on the dance floor, which turned from convention center to dance club with smoke effects and disco lights.
“I haven’t danced in ages,” Hernandez said. “The older ladies knew how to waltz and that made it easier.”
Hernandez spent 24 years as a member of his brother’s band, Little Joe and The Latinaires, which later became Little Joe y La Familia, after which he spent 13 years as a solo artist before he admittedly burned out. This album release party was one where he said he could return to his roots.
“It was time to move back to Texas,” Hernandez said.
Fans were excited he was back in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Guerra, who have both been fans of Hernandez since the 1970s, stood in line patiently waiting for Hernandez to sign their CD.
“I’m very happy he’s back,” Mrs. Guerra said. “We’ve really missed him.”
Two girls with their faces painted, one with a longhorn on her left cheek and the other with a cross and bird on her right cheek, hold a spot in line for one of their mothers.
“My mom has the CD and sometimes I listen to him,” 11-year-old Nikki Rivera with the longhorn on her cheek said. “I like all of his songs.”
Hernandez said he is constantly correcting people who introduce him on stage who often name a larger city, such as San Antonio and Austin as his hometown. He said Temple is his hometown and this is how he likes to be introduced.
“[Temple] has the people that I’ve known all my life,” Hernandez said.
Friends he has known all his life put together “Friends of Johnny,” a fan club that organized the album release party and many of the fans who consider themselves Hernandez’s friends.
“I’ve known him all my life,” Margo Fernandez, a “Friends of Johnny” organizer said. “He was born and raised in Temple.”
Fernandez said Hernandez had a hard time coming into the convention center from his limousine because he was overwhelmed by the amount of people who had come to the party.
“I don’t think he will forget this party,” Fernandez said. “It’s his hometown.”
Hernandez said he was amazed by the presentation and he had a hard time talking because he was touched by those, which attended.
“Temple is my home,” Johnny Hernandez said. “I’ve come back to the energy that is here.”
