Little Joe Raises Funds for Diabetes

 

 

Little Joe sang his heart out for his favorite cause at the Edgewood Theater for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, November 4th.

 

The problem is that there were not enough people to support the cause. Perhaps, it is because the event was held on a weekday, on a school night, a few days after most people paid all their monthly bills or was the culprit the economy? Nonetheless, this did not deter Little Joe from putting on one of his best-ever performances.

 

By 4 p.m. Little Joe had already finished his sound check as dignities such as Floresville Mayor Daniel M. Tejada and Johnny A. Rodríguez, executive director of the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials. Robert Bustos and other school officials, José Gallegos, Sally Aguilar of Alamo Tees and Advertising, Richard Herrera of Rich Music and Little Joe’s celebrity guests started to arrive.

 

One by one by one, Rudy Palacios, David Lee Garza, Larry Lange, René René, Sunny Ozuna and Andy Gamón started to arrive backstage at this beautiful state-of-the-art facility and filing into the Green Room where Tony Matamoros, one of the original Latinaires and Mike Torres III, from San Jose, California were on hand to welcome them.

 

Famed NBC weatherman Maclovio Pérez served as emcee and the show started promptly at 7 p.m. with Mariachi Los Cinco de Richard Herrera Jr. kicking off the entertainment. Then Little Joe and the entire La Familia Band attired in red tees that read “I am a Soldier – Little Joe – Diabetes and Obesity Prevention Campaign” took the stage and from that point it was non-stop music.

 

The evening ended with a grand finale with everyone singing “Las Nubes.” However, it was not over since the small audience yelled for an encore and Little Joe obliged even inviting three couples to come onstage and show off their footwork.

 

Afterwards, there was a VIP post party. Then Little Joe went out front to sign autographs and pose for pictures followed by a couple of one-on-one visits in his customized bus. Much time and money were invested to promote this event on radio, television and the print medium and Little Joe spent an exhausting week doing both live and telephone interviews to no avail. This is an important cause and what Little Joe did deserves a medal, but like love, fundraisers are a two-way street. Both parties have to do their part, in this case, la raza didn’t return the love.

 

By Ramón Hernández