KXTN Spotlight!

Tell us about your experience performing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor and President Obama for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Man that was an awesome experience! I knew going up there that there would be a hell of a lot of security and there was. Where we were sitting, I was about 10 feet from Sotomayor, about 15 feet from Marc Anthony and J-Lo and about 50 feet from the President and Mrs. Obama. They actually gave Marc Anthony the lifetime award that night. I got to sing “Que Metida de Pata” and the National Anthem for them. Man let me tell you, they were people dancing: Latino, White, African-American. You know, I’ve sang the national anthem before- hundreds of times. But this had to be THE ONE. Going up there it was a little scary but it went good. I got to shake the First Lady’s hand- took pictures with Speaker Nanci Pelosi. It was just awesome.

Your CD “All the Way Live” was nominated in the Tejano category for the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards. Will you be in Vegas for the ceremony?

I will definitely be there in person. I’ve been nominated 5 times for a Latin Grammy and the regular Grammy…I have yet to win once. So I don’t want to be at home getting a text message if I win. To hold the Grammy and make an acceptance speech- that’s an experience I don’t want to miss.

Not many people know you were a drummer as well as a vocalist. Tell us how that happened.

No- I was already singing all through elementary, middle school and high school when I came across percussion. I played it all: snare, timbales, xylophone, marching drums...you name it. It’s one of my passions. Getting out of high school, we started a local band and I was intrigued by drums and learned it.

What is the food of choice for Jay Perez?

Seafood brother! I’m a seafood freak. Fish, oysters, shrimp…I’ve gotta get those Omega-3’s!

Gives us some of the entertainers you look up to: Tejano and non-Tejano…

Oh gosh- Tejano it’s got to be David Marez, Adalberto, Jimmy Edward, Emilio, Ram Herrera, Joe Posada, Emilio Guerrero. Non-Tejano: hmmm…Luther Vandross, Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.

If there is one place you haven’t performed yet- where would you like to go?

It would have to be overseas- the U.K. maybe an international tour.