The legacy of Tejano music and culture often feels like a river, flowing steady and sure through the heart of American music history. A new current in this river comes in the form of a documentary on Johnny Canales, the cherished Tejano host who brought the genre into living rooms with his enduring catchphrase, "Take It Away." As Express News reported, the documentary will chart Canales' significant role in enriching and publicizing Tejano music. Producers Myrna Perez and Adrian Arredondo, armed with their experience from the comforts of the "Selena: The Series" on Netflix, are leading the project.
While the documentary promises to be a deep dive into Canales' impact on the genre and his promotion of now-famous acts such as Selena, it also purports to tell a broader story. In a statement obtained by Express News, the producers expressed that "'Take It Away' is an incredible look into migrant communities and the beauty they’ve created over decades in America." Showing that focusing on Canales' story will shine a light on the greater narrative of Tejano music and its roots.
Canales, who was born in Mexico before calling the Robstown and Corpus Christi areas home, was more than a TV music host; he was a fervent advocate for the Tejano community. His show "The Johnny Canales Show" debuted in 1983, quickly becoming an essential platform for artists in a market lacking significant opportunities for exposure. Working initially as a deejay and Tejano musician, Canales knew the industry's ins and outs, a knowledge that undoubtedly helped shape his landmark TV show, as FOX San Antonio notes.
According to representatives from Trojan Horse Media, who are co-producing the documentary with Texas Monthly, Johnny Canales' life embodies their mission to document stories of people who are "larger-than-life, bold, and unapologetically themselves." In an interview with Express News, they highlighted that Canales "dedicated himself to championing Tejano music and culture, and in doing so helped generations of folks see themselves reflected on screen and in the music." This upcoming film promises to be an homage to a man who lived and breathed the music he loved, ensuring that the beat of Tejano music continued to pulse vibrantly for audiences everywhere.
