Tejas

Tejas Records is 20 years strong.

Tejas Records has come along  way from the its origins.  Tejas was founded in Hollywood, Ca, by CEO Chris Lieck.  It started as a blues label that was to be relocated to Texas.  On January 1, 1995 , Tejas opened it"s doors.  Tejas was a cutting edge label and immediately made its presence with the signing of Pam Cox to the company.  After a successful run with Pam, the label was now officially on the map.  Pam's product was given top placement by Southwest Wholesale and the press was all over her every move.  Chris is a master of the press and has been his whole career as a musician, songwriter, performer and CEO. 

 

The next year, Chris brought on a long time friend, John Whipple, as the COO of Tejas.  John was to handle branding with Chris and distribution.  Chris put himself in charge of the business, the music production, videos and radio.   Brad Green was hired on as a full time assistant, and later a producer for Tejas Records.  

 

The combination worked and Tejas began to flourish.  Upon signing Elida Y Avante, the growth of the label was evident.  Their approach towards branding their artist was evident as Elida began to rise like a Phoenix.  Tejas branding Elida, and her rise to the top of the charts, was proof that Tejas's plan worked. Every aspect of her career was carefully decided upon as CCM Management (owned by Chris Lieck) was the group's management and it did all of her booking as well daily management duties.  This is why Elida strived, where others didn't.  The daily decisions required no third party intervention.   Tejas could make on the spot decisions and  move immediately without any interference that could be emotion or agenda based.   Everything was in house. Tejas housed a world-class facility for recording, video, art and management.  Every aspect of each artist's career was carefully crafted from song selection to management decisions.  

 

The results were hit record after hit record, as well as Billboard Awards, BMI Awards, Gold and Platinum Awards, and visionary awards for their excellence in production.  Put simply, Tejas was the place to be.  Their annual parties were the hottest ticket in town.  The label was endorsed more than any other label in Texas history.  Soon Tejas went from one act to over 14 bands or solo artists.  It was evident to all their competitors that Tejas, in a three year period, took over the industry.  In one year alone all five Grammy artist nominated were Tejas Records artist.  The label had 23 Grammy Nominations and two Grammys.  

 

After 15 years of this repeated success, it was time for a change. In late 2011, Chris decided to build his own facility and branch off into his roots of pop and rock music,  and John was to work from his own facility.  As the contracts ended ,Chris felt that it was time to build the back catalog, and like many legendary labels, chose to revamp a new branding plan to fit the new digital format.  

 

"I can safely say that it was time to focus on the new plan for Tejas.  We decided that times are changing and we, as a label ,need to adapt.  We are, and will always be on the cutting edge of whatever it is we do.   At this time my focus is to establish Tejas's brand and build that brand to include; merchandise, licensing, other forms of branding, branching out the brand and to sign new artists. The plan is long term, not the quick fix or quick buck mentality. The Tejas brand and name is never going anywhere, it is a part of Texas Music History and is here to stay."

 

CEO Chris Lieck