On Oct. 17 he received the “Bridging Divides” Award from The University of Texas Project on Conflict Resolution.
Hernandez received the award because of his “charity work over the years,” said Gavin Garcia, assistant director of the UTPCR.
Austin City Councilman Mike Martinez also presented Hernandez with a City of Austin proclamation declaring October 17 as “Little Joe Day.”
After the presentation of a birthday cake by members of the Austin Tejano Music Coalition, former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos and Tejano musician Ruben Ramos led the audience in a rendition of “Las Mananitas” in honor of Hernandez’s 68th birthday.
Hernandez is one of the preeminent pioneers of Tejano music, a mix of traditional norteňo music with country, blues and rock.
Two generations of Americans have viewed Hernandez and his band La Familia on television and radio. He has won numerous awards for his innovative music.
Hernandez and La Familia won the 2007 Grammy for Tejano album with "Before the
Teardrop Falls" and in 2006 for the album "Chicanisimo" and for best Mexican-American album in 1992 for "Diez y Seis de Septiembre."
Hernandez has worked to help link Chicano individuals and Chicano businesses that could assist each other and was extremely vocal in support of the American Federation of Musician’s “STAR” campaign, an acronym for Support Advancement in Tejano Recording.
Last year the award was inaugurated with a presentation to Willie Nelson.
“(The award) was created to give to artists who engage in activities that promote social change,” Garcia said. “And for the perspective they bring in daily life to conflict resolution.”
For information on UTPCR, visit online at www.utpcr.org or call 512-471-1950.
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