05/29/2026
Congratulations Stefani Montiel!! You definitely deserve the award. I can remember when you were a child singing “Celos” at a TV Show. in Corpus Christi. Thank you for performing for Tejano Music Alliance at our Valentine’s Gala a few years back. May the Lord continue to bless you and the band! 💗🎤🎶🙏🏼
⚠️ WARNING…LONG POST AHEAD⚠️
This past Monday night, I received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 8th Annual All Star Music Awards and all I could think about was what it took to get here. 33 years in the Tejano music industry…and every single year came with sacrifices, lessons, victories, heartbreaks, growth, and perseverance.
Nothing about this road was easy. There were no shortcuts, no guarantees, and no easy handouts. Just relentless hard work, long nights, endless miles, and a dream that refused to fade. I gave my heart, soul, and life to this music while traveling the world, performing for incredible fans, and continuing to push forward even during the toughest moments of my career.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I often had to fight twice as hard to earn respect and prove my place. There were moments when people underestimated me, doubted me, or counted me out completely. But I kept going. I stayed focused, stayed disciplined, and stayed true to myself and my passion.
There are moments in life that leave a permanent mark on your heart, and this honor is one of them. The love, support, and recognition I’ve received throughout this journey has meant more to me than words could ever fully express. To know that my music, my sacrifices, and my story connected with so many people over the years is something I will always carry with deep gratitude and appreciation.
I’m also incredibly grateful to the Tejano fans who embraced me so wholeheartedly being that I’m from New Mexico. That acceptance and love changed my life forever. To be an artist from outside of Texas and still receive this level of support, longevity, and recognition in Tejano music after more than three decades is something I will never take for granted.
Throughout the years, I’ve been blessed to work with incredible Companies and sponsors including Coors Light, Ford, Paul Mitchell, Pizza Hut, Gold’s Gym, Gibson/Epiphone, Red McCombs, Hercules Stands, Fitness Connection, The Spartan Pit, Diva Tequila, and so many others who believed in me and supported my vision through every era of my career.
But one of my greatest accomplishments will always be my family. While building this career and living life on the road, I still raised a family, kept moving forward, and continued to grow my career even when many people doubted I could balance both worlds. That alone took strength, sacrifice, and determination beyond words.
This award represents more than success to me. It represents survival. Persistence. Faith. Resilience. It represents every obstacle I refused to let break me and every moment I chose to keep going no matter how hard life became.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from my journey, it’s this: never let anyone tell you your dreams are too big or your road is too difficult. Legacy isn’t built overnight. It’s built through consistency, perseverance, sacrifice, passion, and the courage to continue when quitting would be easier.
Thank you to my dad Dwight, my husband Gabriel, my children Ileah & Jaylen, my sister Sasha, brothers Dwight & Ronnie and all of my family, friends, fans, musicians, radio family, promoters, sponsors, and supporters for standing beside me through every chapter of this incredible journey. Your love and loyalty have carried me farther than words can express and more than I could ever put into words.
33 years later… and I’m still standing strong because of you. I’m still evolving, still performing, and still doing what I love with all my heart. THANK YOU ALL. From the bottom of my heart.
