Background:


Gabe was born and raised in the small farming town of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gabe spent most of his adolescent life building adobe homes with his grandfather, brother, and cousins along the Rio Grande River. It was during this time that he started taking a true interest in music. Gabe remembers his grandfather dancing around the job site with a shovel, to a combination of traditional Mexican Rancheras and country music blaring from his cement spattered portable radio. Since those days, he dreamed of a day when his voice would be on the radio, and his grandfather could dance to his music.



Getting Started:

As time went on, Gabe would sing at weddings, fiestas, and family gatherings, but was fearful that his hopes of being a true performer were quickly passing him by. Never being one to give up, Gabe entered the TNN television “Be a Star” contest, where he was chosen over many contestants to be a top finalist. This was Gabe’s first brush with success in the music world, and the fuel he needed to launch his exciting career.
Artist Profile Link for Gabe Nieto
Awards and Radio Play:

After hearing Gabe on a home-recorded tape, Allen and David Frizzell encouraged Gabe to participate in the Gibson Guitar Road to Nashville Championships at the First Annual Lefty Frizzell Day in Corsicana, Texas. Gabe eagerly agreed and head out for Texas to compete against some of the nations finest. When the dust settled and local radio and television personalities tallied up the votes, Gabe was the clear winner! He was presented with an EJ-200 Epiphone Guitar, recording time, and an appearance on TNN Music City Tonight with Crook and Chase.

While in the studio, Gabe decided to record a remake of Lefty Frizzell’s hit song, “Love you a Thousand Ways”. The twist was, that Gabe would make it an up tempo version, with bilingual lyrics! In order to accomplish this, Gabe brought in long-time friend and music icon Little Richie Johnson, who produced and promoted numerous hits with Farron Young, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. Little Richie called in top musicians from Nashville, and blended them with authentic mariachis from New Mexico. This unique sound sent Gabe’s song charging up the international charts, and landed him his first top ten hit on the Independent Country charts. As a result of his rapid exposure and radio acceptance, Gabe was named Airplay International Male Rising Star at the King Eagle Radio Awards in Nashville, TN. Gabe’s single was heard in Denmark, Sweden, France, Australia, Germany and Spain. This marked the first time a Hispanic had ever won this award.

Gabe’s next single “Moonlight, Roses and Wine” went all the way to number one on the independent country charts, and quickly branded Gabe’s style as “putting a little jalapeno in your coleslaw”! The demand for copies of this single, sent Gabe into the studio to record his current album bearing the same title as this successful song. Little Richie has since past away, but Gabe dedicates this album and every live appearance to Richie and his dream of taking Gabe to the top.

Recently, Gabe was selected as the only country-act on the Hispanic Compilation CD “The Chicano Alliance”. This CD will target the Hispanic consumer and raise monies for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Gabe will be featured with such Spanish icons as Little Joe y La Familia, Malo, Tierra, and El Chicano.

Shows, Tours and Appearances:

Along with Gabe’s radio success in the independent world, he has also been the opening act for some pretty well known names, such as: Rick Trevino, Ruben Ramos, The Tex Maniacs, Patty Loveless, Holly Dunn, Rhett Akins, Ken Mellons, Joe Diffie, The Dixie Chicks, Baker and Myers, America, and Rick Springfield.

Gabe has also been the headline act for some pretty high exposure promotions and shows as well. Gabe was selected by Sonic Restaurants and Dr Pepper to be their honorary spokesperson for a program to help students stay in school. Gabe went on tour across the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, putting on concerts for high schools with the highest overall attendance for the year. The two sponsors provided Gabe with a tour bus, radio and television support, and a commercial that took a Silver Medal in the Houston Film Festival.

Next Gabe was selected to be the main act at the US Olympic Torch Ceremony held in Huntsville, AL at the US Space and Rocket Center. The event was sponsored by Coca-Cola simulcast across the southeast, and viewed by over 30 thousand people in the live Huntsville audience.

Gabe was selected for both the Dr Pepper tour and the Coca-Cola Olympic Torch Ceremony, as the result of his Hispanic heritage, and his ability to sing in both English and Spanish.

Gabe has also headlined the Whole Enchilada Fiesta in Las Cruces, NM, and the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Both of these events have been previously headlined by such names as Selena, Brooks and Dunn, and Tejano legend Little Joe. Gabe’s October appearance there was met with great reviews and enormous crowds.

In their September issue, Latin Style Magazine reviewed Gabe’s CD. This is the first country album ever reviewed by this enormously popular Hispanic magazine. The album was given high marks, and recommended to the Hispanic community.

Most recently Gabe was invited to perform along with Tony Orlando, Andy Williams, Jimmy Osmond and Bobby Vinton at a recent Tribute to our nation’s veterans in Branson, Mo. Tony Orlando has kind of taken Gabe under his wing as of late, and has vowed to assist Gabe in anyway possible.

Community Involvement:

Gabe is a Loaned Executive and volunteer for the United Way. As a Loaned Executive, Gabe is responsible for educating and encouraging major corporations to support both financially and in volunteer time, the United Way Organization and its agencies. Gabe sits on many boards for various charitable organizations, and performs regularly at the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon on ABC, to help raise funds for CP research. Gabe is also involved in the SAFE Foundation, an organization focused on the communication and education of National Missile Defense Programs, geared toward the development of a national resolve for support of our nation’s borders.

Other Tidbits:

Gabe graduated Magna Cum Laude from Faulkner Christian University in Montgomery, AL, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Gabe is currently pursuing his second Masters Degree in Management of Information Systems at Florida Tech, where he holds a 4.0 GPA. Gabe was previously the VP for NASA Programs for BAE SYSTEMS Analytical Solutions, a major aerospace firm that specializes in missile defense programs, modeling and simulation, and other engineering services.

Band:

Gabe’s band is affectionately called the Jalapeno Express. It is comprised of mostly Hispanic musicians that grew up with Gabe in the Southwest. The band focuses on mixing the cultures of country with New Mexico flavors and traditions.

Film / Acting:

Currently, Gabe is involved in a separate avenue of entertainment, as the Executive Producer of the Jordan-Walker Pearlman Film “Constellation”, starring Billy Dee Williams, Gabrielle Union, and Leslie Ann Warren. Gabe played a cameo roll in the film as well, as “Astronaut Rivera”, and also supported the soundtrack along with Backstreet Boy Howard Dorough as co-music supervisors. The film will be distributed internationally through CodeBalck Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox. The movie is also available "On Demand" through several major cable networks and companies. Additionally, Gabe will be reading for several parts in major films to be produced by various independent and studio organizations.

Personal:

Married with three children

Gabe currently resides in Austin, TX where he performs at various events and promotions.

	Cowboy Up Rockin Country tune, with flaling guitars and solid melody!		Country
	Even As We Don't Speak Soulful country ballad....		Country
	Never Know Just How Good Youv'e Got It (IAC Mast) Up Tempo slammin country tune, with strong vocal by Gabe Nieto!		Country
	Love You a Thousand Ways - Tex Mex Version Great Lefty Frizzell tune with a bit of Tex Mex Flare!!!		Country
	Everytime She Comes Around Crying (IAC Re-Master) Straight forward country tune with lots of energy and a fun storyline!		Country
	A Better Life (New Title Track) Another original tune by Gabe Nieto!		Country
	Don't Feel Like Fooling Around (Brand New) Title Says it all!		Country
	Love You A Thousand Ways		Country
	Never Know How Good - Tex Mex Version Fast drining Country tune with a bit of jalapeno!!!		Country

	Compact Disc Gabe Nieto Strong country album with latin flavor! This is the first ever collaboration between Mychael John Thomas and Gabe Nieto, with all tracks either written by the pair or as individuals. This album has something for everyone, one listen and you'll be hooked!	Country
	Compact Disc Gabe Nieto Country-achi! It's like putting Jalapeno in your Cornbread!	Country

Comments                                                Add new Comment   View All

Stoneman	11/8/2012 8:06:06 PM Great vocals and songwriting. Much Respect! Stoneman
gabe stenziano	3/31/2009 10:19:12 PM from one gabe to another...took a spin through the music here. you have a great voice for country, the songs and production are real nice and sound totally pro. good work and good luck, gabe
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