Career
1960–1982: Early life and career beginnings
Gary Lee Hobbs, Jr. was born two months prematurely on January 5, 1960, at the Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas.[1] He grew up in Eagle Pass, Texas,[2][3] the son of Gary Lee Hobbs,[4] who served in the Air Force, and his mother, Anita Hobbs (née McLemore Sanchez), who was a música trío and mariachi singer of Mexican Scottish and Irish descent.[1][5] Hobbs' maternal grandmother, Lucia, lived on a ranch in Monclova, Coahuila,[6] while his maternal grandfather played the trumpet.[5] During his youth, Hobbs often watched his mother perform as a singer,[5] and was exposed to classical music.[7]
At the age of seven or eight,[a] Hobbs started playing the piano and later learned to play the guitar.[9] He also played the trumpet in his high school choir and was a soloist for his church's choir in 1971.[2] Before performing with Brando Mireles, a former keyboardist from Mazz, between 1977 and 1980,[b] Hobbs played with local groups such as Chicano Breed and Starlight.[3][10] Together, they formed the Hot Sauce Band and began recording songs for Hacienda Records in May 1983.[11] Hobbs took on the role of lead singer and later learned to play the keyboards.[12] The name "Hot Sauce" came about when Mireless suggested it while adding hot sauce to his food, realizing that the group did not have a name for an upcoming show. Initially, Hobbs didn't like the name and considered it "the stupidest name I ever heard in my life".[1]
1983–1990: Early success with Hacienda Records
Promoters referred to Hobbs as "the lady killer" of Tejano music.[13] At the 1983 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs won Most Promising Vocalist,[14] and was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, and Male Entertainer of the Year.[15] At the 10th Mike Chavez Music Awards in 1984, Hobbs was awarded the Most Promising Male Vocalist,[16] while his Hot Sauce group was nominated for Most Promising Band, and his single "Se Acabo" received a nomination for Best New Song by A New Group.[17] At the 1984 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, while his song, "Confidencias de Amor", was nominated for Song of the Year.[18] In 1985, Hobbs released Mentiras, with its eponymous track initially overlooked, it gradually amassed recognition over the course of two years. Eventually, the titular song gained substantial commercial and critical acclaim. Corpus Christi Caller-Times's Rene Cabrera, hailed "Mentiras" as an "expertly crafted" sentimental ballad, showcasing Hobb's adeptness.[19] The song was recorded under a licensing agreement with RCA Records and subsequently featured on EMI Latin's compilation, Five Branding Irons (1992). The track was intended for inclusion on Hobbs' Solo Estas Noche (1992), though was omitted from the final tracklist, a lucrative misstep according to Cabrera.[19] Hobbs recorded the song after listening to Lupita D'Alessio's rendition.[20]
Hobbs was nominated for Best Male Vocalist at the 1988 Mike Chavez Music Awards.[21] At the 1989 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs amassed nominations for Single of the Year with "Quiero Ser Tu Amor", Song of the Year for "Ensenar a Querer", Male Entertainer of the Year, and Un Momento was nominated for Album of the Year – Orchestra.[22] By 1988, Hobbs became one of the most popular Tejano singers.[23]
At the 1990 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs was nominated for Male Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.[24] By 1990, promoters dubbed him "the blue-eyed sensation".[25] On the week ending December 13, 1990, "Vas a Pagar" made its entry into the Tejano Singles chart at number ten,[26] as did "Las Miradas" the following week.[27] "Las Miradas" reached number two for seven nonconsecutive weeks beginning in the week of January 24, 1991,[c] before peaking at number one on the week ending June 20.[35]
1991–1998: Commercial success with EMI Latin
In 1991, Hobbs signed a six-figure contract with EMI Latin.[1][2] At the 1992 Tejano Music Awards, "Las Miradas" was nominated for both Song of the Year and Single of the Year. The singer's eponymous album received a nomination for Album of the Year, while Hobbs was a contender for Male Entertainer of the Year.[36] In May 1992, Hobbs released Solo Esta Noche,[19] which featured "Amame y Besame", which peaked at number one on the Tejano Singles chart on the week ending August 20, 1992.[37] It garnered the nomination for Song of the Year, while Hobbs received the nomination for Male Entertainer of the Year, and Solo Esta Noche received the nomination for Album of the Year.[38] Hobbs recorded "Recordemos" and "Paz Esta Navidad" for the Christmas compilation, Christmas in Texas (1992).[39] Suzy Banks of Texas Monthly, noted that comprehending the emotional pleas conveyed in "Paz Esta Navidad" does not necessitate an understanding of the Spanish language, as listeners can apprehend Hobbs sentiments through his vocal delivery.[40] In April 1993, Gary Hobbs Live was released.[41]
In March 1994, Hobbs recorded a pilot episode of Camino de Lagrimas, a Tejano telenovela that producers aspired to pitch to Spanish networks.[42] Ta Vas a Acordar (1993) reached sales of 50,000 units and receive a gold certification in June 1994.[43] Its singles, "Voy a Amarte" reached the third position,[44] while "Te Vas a Acordar" peaked at number one on the Tejano Singles chart.[45] In an effort to promote Hobbs in Mexico, EMI Latin endeavored to alter the singer's band name from Hot Sauce to Grupo Mezquite in August 1994,[46] believing that Hot Sauce would not resonate with Mexican audiences. Hobbs perceived the name change as the second "dumbest thing I ever heard in my life", second only to Hot Sauce.[1] According to Hobbs, Mezquite, the Spanish term for the mesquite tree, flourishes in his hometown and symbolizes his heritage. The singer commenced negotiations with Apodcada Promotions to secure management and booking arrangements in Mexico.[47] As a jest, Hobbs would refer to his band as "the usual suspects", a phrase from the film Casablanca (1942), which reminded him of the constant turnover of its members.[1]
At the 1995 Tejano Music Awards, "Te Vas a Acordar" garnered nominations for Song of the Year and Single of the Year, while Hobbs received a nomination for Male Entertainer of the Year, and Te Vas a Acordar was nominated for Album of the Year.[48][49] By May 1995, Te Vas a Acordar had sold 90,000 units,[50] and its titular track spent nine weeks at number one on Radio y Musica's Tejano Singles chart, securing the second-longest song that year, behind Selena's "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" (1994), which spent 13 weeks at the top spot.[50] Within the album, "La Miradas", features a lyrical narrative that depicts the captivating gaze a woman employs to ensnare a man's affection, while the title track delves into the intricacies of lost love.[51] Te Vas a Acordar ended 1994 as the 13th best-selling regional Mexican album and the 34th best-selling Latin album in the United States.[52] "Tu Me Haces Sentir" made its debut at number 49 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, the week ending September 16, 1995,[53] and became known as one of the most popular Tejano singers.[54]
Hobbs released Sol el Mismo on March 7, 1995,[55] and by May 1995 it sold 35,000 units.[50] At the 1996 Tejano Music Awards, Soy el Mismo was nominated for Album of the Year.[56] Hobbs, along with composer Carmen Ravenna, received the BMI Latin Songwriter award for their work on "Chiquitita, Chiquitita".[57] In the music video for "Por Favor Corazon", Hobbs portrayed an outlaw from the 19th century, captured at the 64,000-acre Tinkler Ranch located in Fort Stockton. Hobbs revealed that the horseback riding scene proved physically challenging, resulting in some bruises, as it had been some time since he last mounted a horse when he was in high school.[50] "Por Favor Corazon" debuted and peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number 15 on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Songs chart, on the week ending May 20, 1995.[58] "Chiquitita" peaked at number 34 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, on the week ending February 11, 1995.[59] "Por Favor Corazon" ended 1995 as the second-best Tejano single on Radio y Musica, while "Tu Me Haces Sentir" was the 13th-best Tejano single of 1995.[60] "Por Favor Corazon" was nominated for Song of the Year while Hobbs was nominated for Male Entertainer of the Year at the 1996 Tejano Music Awards.[61]
Writing for Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ramiro Burr expressed his disappointment with Soy el Mismo, labeling it as a disheartening letdown due to its tedious nature, largely attributed to the monotonous keyboard-synthesizer melodies.[62] In contrast, Cabrera acknowledges Hobbs as an artist who crafts songs that leave a lasting impression on Soy el Mismo. Tracks such as the cumbias "Por Favor Corazon" and "Tu Me Haces Sentir" and the rancheras "Quiero Que Vuelvas" and "Esperando Tu Amor", showcase Hobbs' ability to deliver captivating melodies infused with heartfelt emotions, as noted by Cabrera.[63] Paul Verna of Billboard, recognizing the comparatively lesser media coverage received by Hobbs in comparison to his contemporaries, noted that Soy el Mismo made "a strong debut" at number 20 on the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.[64] Soy el Mismo rose to number seven and debuted at number three on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart, taking the greatest gain in sales for the week ending April 1, 1995.[65] Chito de la Torre of La Prensa, found the album's title ironic, considering the singer's transformation in image and the renaming of his band as part of his pursuit to establish a presence in Mexico. According to de la Torre, this transition became apparent when the singer donned Western attire at the 1995 Tejano Music Awards.[66]
Following the release of Hobbs' album, Corazon Ardiente (1996), Cabrera perceived a departure from the customary style that Hobbs typically imbues into his musical offerings, finding Corazon Ardiente to surpass Soy el Mismo in terms of its impact. The lead single, "Buscando Un Amor", was released on June 27, 1996. Cabrera characterizes Hobbs' signature style throughout the album as melodic, polished, and engaging, exemplifying his artistry.[3] At the 1997 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs was nominated for Song of the Year for "Buscando Un Amor", while its album received the nomination for Album of the Year, and Hobbs was nominated for Male Vocalist and Male Entertainer of the Year.[67] In 1996, Hobbs signed a contract with Coca-Cola,[68] who subsequently became sponsors for his tours.[69] "Buscando Un Amor" peaked at number 24 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and number 11 on the Regional Mexican Songs chart, in the week ending September 7, 1996. "Corazon Ardiente" peaked at number 41 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, in the week ending August 3, 1996. In 1997, Hobbs secured a role in the film Lost Cowboy,[70] and in April 1998, he released Solo Es Un Sueno.[23]
1998–2000: Label change to Sony Discos
The popularity of Tejano music witnessed a decline in the aftermath of Selena's shooting death in March 1995, prompting major record labels to adopt a cautious approach in their dealings with Tejano singers, given the declining sales within the genre.[71] In response, Hobbs established his own record label and studio, Faith Digital Recording Studio,[9] circumventing the conservative strategies employed by major labels in response to the diminishing sales of Tejano music.[71]
In September 1998, Hobbs's contract with EMI Latin expired, leading him to sign with Sony Discos.[72] Hobbs expressed his belief that Sony would offer him the professional support he needed as an artist, facilitating the realization of his personal aspirations.[73] Hobbs received the BMI Songwriters Award in 1998 for "Buscando Un Amor" and "Corazon Ardiente",[74] while he and Carlos Javier Castillon were awarded the 1999 BMI Songwriters award for "Comprendeme".[75] Hobbs released Mirame a Mi, his debut with Sony, featuring songs penned by Humberto Ramon with arrangement handled by Mireles.[76] The singer was garnered sponsorship from Churches Fried Chicken and Sears.[10]
At the 2000 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs was nominated for Male Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.[77] Tejano music continued to experience a decline in popularity, Hobbs, along with other Tejano singers, encountered reduced airplay opportunities by 2000.[78] "Mirame a Mi" reached number ten on the Radio y Musica Tejano chart.[79] In 2000, the singer secured a role in Paul Mitchell's hair product ads.[80] Hobbs released Sueno de Mi Corazon,[81] in September 2000.[82] Hobbs expressed in the Abilene Reporter-News that he anxiously monitored its chart progression on Radio y Musica's Tejano music chart as closely as the 2000 United States Presidential Election. The album's commercial impact instilled a sense of restlessness and was the first album to elicit concern from him. Sueno de Mi Corazon featured additions of the saxophone, accordion, and digitally altered vocals. While expressing a desire to explore Latin Christian music, Hobbs lamented Sony's reluctance to allow the release of both a Tejano and Christian album simultaneously, citing the need to avoid overlapping ventures.[81]
"Sueno De Mi Corazon" garnered a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2001 Tejano Music Awards.[83] "Simplemente Amigos" entered the top 20 on the Tejano Singles chart, while "Sueno de Mi Corazon" reached the top ten.[84] "Dime Que Soy Tuyo" reached number four on the Tejano Singles chart,[85] before peaking at number two in the week ending September 7, 2001.[86]
2001–2022: Independent with AMMX
By 2001, Hobbs became independent and released subsequent albums through his AMMX label (abbreviated for Americano Mexicano).[10] Hobbs signed Laura Aguiree to his label,[87] where he produced her debut album, Mi Corazon (2002), which was released through Wal-Mart and other department stores.[7] Aguiree remained under Hobbs's management for two to three years.[11] Recognizing Hobbs' 19-year tenure as a Tejano Music Award nominee without a win, Nicole Brambila of San Angelo Standard-Times, hailed him as "one of the most versatile singers" in the Tejano market.[51] Hobbs expressed to Brambila that the absence of a Tejano Music Award was "one thing that eluded me".[51] Seeking to break new ground, the singer released Cosas del Destino on October 8, 2002, showcasing a fusion of norteño, grupo, and Tejano styles. This approach was inspired by Hobbs's admiration of these fusions he witnessed during performances on Univision and Telemundo.[87]
By October 2003, Hobbs expanded his business by taking on managerial roles for Tokante, a norteño and Tejano group. Amidst the production of Ayer y Hoy, Hobbs shared with Rose Ybarra of The Monitor, his sense of optimism and excitement, asserting that he felt "really good about it" and eagerly anticipated its completion.[87] The album was released in February 2004,[87] and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2005 Tejano Music Awards.[88] Hobbs's subsequent release, Esperando Tu Llamada (2005), presented a collection of ballad-infused tracks, while Por Ti released in August 2006, showcased a return to a more traditional Tejano sound infused with "old-school influence".[89] In 2007, Hobbs extended his label's roster by signing Da Krazy Pimps, solidifying a four-year contract.[90]
Hobbs garnered recognition in September 2011 at the Mike Chavez Music Awards, which returned after a 14-year hiatus, for his contributions to Tejano music.[91] Hobbs released A Very Gary Christmas in December 2015. He recorded Christmas music standards "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Jingle Bells", and "Here Comes Santa Claus". While Eduardo Martinez of The Monitor regarded the album as somewhat ordinary, he praised Hobbs' exceptional vocal abilities on the album.[92] In 2013, Hobbs lent his voice to "La Barca" as part of David Lee Garza's Just Friends album, which won a Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album.[5] The singer released Recuerdo...De Mi Madre in 2016, featuring recordings that his mother would often perform, dedicating the album to her.[11] At the 2017 Tejano Music Awards, Hobbs was nominated for Song of the Year for "Amor Enterno" while he received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year.[93] On September 23, 2019, Hobbs released "Lo Que Amo", the lead single from the album of the same name.[94] In 2019, he collaborated with Rick Fuentes on "Toda Una Vida" for Fuentes' Tribute (2019) album.[95]
On April 17, 2020, Hobbs released "Tu Eres Mi Reina", John Henry Medina of Tejano Nation, praised it as an "upbeat [and] uplifting ranchera".[96] Hobbs won Male Entertainer of the Year at the 2020 Tejano Music Awards, calling it a remarkable milestone that he checked off his bucket list.[97] On August 31, 2021, Hobbs launched his podcast Hanging With Gary, with co-host Johnny Davila, through his website.[98]
2022–present: Tenure under Freddie Records
On April 20, 2022, Hobbs signed with Freddie Records,[99] despite having his own label, he recognized the track record of Freddie Records in securing radio airplay for their artists.[100] In September 2022, Hobbs collaborated with Kary Karina on the recording "Que Lastima".[101] Hobbs released Sin Fin on December 30, 2022, his first album with Freddie Records and his first recording in three years.[100] The lead single, "Que Daria", a mid-tempo Tejano cumbia track, was released in December 2022.[100] "Que Daria" garnered acclaim for its catchy sing-along chorus, Hobbs' vocal performance, and the production value that featured layered brass, keyboards, and accordion fills. The music video was released on April 20, 2023.[102] Hobbs and Kary Karina received a Collaboration of the Year nomination for "Que Lastima" at the third Premios Tejano Mundial in 2023.[103]
At the 2023 Tejano Music Awards, Sin Fin was nominated for Album of the Year.[104]
