Shelly Lares

Known for her versatile abilities as "Little Miss Dynamite," Shelly Lares ranks among the most enduring figures in Tejano music across the past three decades and belongs to its Hall of Fame. Her powerfully resonant singing voice and charismatic stage presence have earned her a large and devoted following. All of her songs originate from her own pen or from collaborations she joins, while her skills also extend to guitar and percussion. Audiences throughout the southwest hold her in high regard. From 1984 through 2007 she earned multiple Tejano Music Award nominations and victories across various categories.

Between 1989 and 1995 Lares released material on the Manny Music label. Her fifth album, the 1994 release Quiero Ser Tu Amante, marked a breakthrough by entering the Top 40 on the Latin Albums chart. After moving to Sony, the self-titled 1996 project reached number 35 on the Top Latin Albums chart; its single "Siempre Lo Esperare" climbed inside the Top 30 and peaked at number 18 on the Regional Mexican Songs chart. She followed with Aqui Me Encuentro in 1997 and Donde Hay Fuego in 1998, continuing to tour regionally and to compose material for fellow artists.

Lares opened the new century with Mil Besos, her last Sony album. Although it failed to register on national charts, strong regional performance brought additional Tejano Music Award nominations, including one for Album of the Year, plus expanded touring dates. After its 2010 digital reissue the project became one of her strongest sellers. Her 2002 album 3 Veces marked her first release on Tejas Records through distributor Select-O-Hits; the set generated substantial regional airplay and sales while securing her first Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at the Tejano Music Awards. Encore, issued in 2003, featured Lares re-recording early hits using updated technology, allowing listeners who came of age during the LP and cassette era to experience some of those tracks for the first time.

She devoted considerable energy to touring, songwriting, and charitable efforts, especially those supporting the San Antonio Children's Shelter and the Downtown Youth Drop-In Center.

The 2004 album Sigue Mi Camino delivered the first of three consecutive double wins at the Tejano Music Awards for Female Vocalist and Female Entertainer of the Year; the final pair of honors arrived alongside her 2007 project Reflejo, which closed out her tenure with Tejas. She maintained her recording schedule with Mirando Adelante in 2010 and Renacer in 2012, both issued on Shellshock 3. The albums performed strongly on digital charts and sustained sales long after release. Her 2013 album De Mi Corazon earned a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Tejano Album category. That same year two of her songs appeared on the Divas Tejanas compilation alongside Alma Pulido, Alicia Villareal, Laura Canales, and Elsa Garcia. In fall 2015 Lares produced Crystal Torres' single "Mi Nina Bonita," issued after Torres had claimed the previous year's Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist. Lares released her own single "Trato y Trato" in August. In January 2016 she produced the single "La Otra" for Anjelique Alvarez, then completed a second Torres track, "Sigo Enamorada," in May. Also during the spring she became the marketing face of Diva Tequila. Outside the studio and stage Lares sustains her involvement in community service, charitable causes, and the mentoring of emerging artists.