Young Laredo vocalist Phoebe Marie lands record contract in Nashville

By Paul de la Peña-Franceschi

Who says that dreams do not come true? With the proper direction and the will to succeed, Laredoan Phoebe Marie Arriaga, 15, continues to progress with her musical career. She has participated in many major events in South Texas and has now landed a two-year record contract with a label out of Nashville .

Arriaga signed with Texas Dover Records of Austin, which has a subsidiary label in Nashville . She has performed all over the United States and was honored at the Tennessee Country Music Alliance, where she won Latina Vocalist of the Year. Representatives of Sony Latina records were present at the event, and Arriaga is being considered as an opening act this summer for Huey Dumbar in New York City .

Keeping true to her voice and dance lessons in Laredo, Arriaga's music has been moving fans of different musical genres including country, Tejano, pop-country, pop, and Latino. She is recording a new album this spring with producer Lou Nelson. Various songwriters have been sending in submissions for Arriaga because of her diverse singing style. Many of the songs are already on radio stations in the U.S. and Mexico . Arriaga released a new single this January on Texas Dover entitled "Cruel Como Tu," which will be distributed to Australia , New Zealand , Ireland , Canada , the U.S. , Mexico , South Africa , and Europe . Arriaga is also looking forward to concert dates and festivals in the 2004-05 season.

A native Laredoan, Arriaga is well known in the community. She often performs at no cost at hospitals and retirement homes. Her music is well-received and part of her service to the community. She has also performed at the Washington's Birthday Celebration's Jamboozie and SCAN's Children's Fun Festival.

Arriaga has been singing, acting, and modeling in Texas for many years. At age 10, she performed her first live concert in fifth grade under the direction of music instructor Kay McKenzie at Ochoa Elementary School . Since then, Arriaga has shared the stage with performers such as David Marez Y Grupo Rodeo, Javier Molina, Bobby Alvarado, Ruben Vela, and Robert Pulido.

Upon her return from Nashville , she will perform at EXPO MEX 2004 and Texas A&M International University . She will continue to promote her new CD, available at Casa De Musica Guadalupe.