THE LATONKY STORY

My love for country music started in the early 80’s. At the
time my husband and I were going through a divorce and my best
girlfriend decided to give me a Roseanne Cash album to listen
to because she thought I could relate to the music. My
favorite song on that album was “7 year ache”. In fact the
whole album was pretty much in my heart at the time, but “7
year ache” stood out.  From then on  I gradually  started to
listen to more country music.  I can remember going on cross-
country trips with my boyfriend and he was a big country music
fan, it was unusual for me to find another Mexican that was as
big a fan as me. It was ironic that we found each other and,
we both loved country western. My daughter who was there with
me going through my rough time was only 5. Having learned all
the words to "7 year ache" she now is a Roseanne Cash fan, and
is branching out and taking a stronger liking for country
music.

Country Music is very dear to my heart, because there are so
many songs that I could relate to. On those road trips,
country music would be blaring out the windows, and I would
find myself crying listening to those heartbreaking songs and
just when they felt their broken hearts would never heal, they
would find strength and become whole again . Other songs would
make me laugh, like the ones about  bar fights, and yet others
would bring a warm feeling to my heart listening to songs
about God, Family, Country, and hard working men and women. I
can almost see myself in all of them.

Once I truly found the love of country music, I started buying
CD’s, and watching Country music videos, buying tickets for
concerts, and before I knew it, I was a Latonky (Latin Honky
Tonk), I’m a person with Latin spice and a country kick. I
know there are many Latinos that feel the same way I do.  So I
just want to get it out there, so others know they’re not
alone. It’s time for us to be proud and be Latonkys.