Little Joe Hernández: A Central Texas legend keeps rocking

By Elizabeth Finkenbinder | Courtesy photos

José María De León Hernández, better known as Little Joe, is a key player in promoting and performing Chicano music all over the world.

Exuding energy and determination, his passion for his art is obvious to anyone who meets him. Even at age 81, Little Joe continues to travel with his band and perform for audiences. He shows no signs of slowing down, despite having a serious bout with COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic.

Hernández grew up in Temple, the seventh child of 13 born to Salvador and Amelia De León, who loved their children dearly but struggled to provide at times. His father was known as La Cotorra or the parakeet and was a folk singer who played guitar, mandolin and violin, but he made a living with the Santa Fe Railroad for over 30 years. Hernández’s grandmother was a trained pianist, so she was no stranger to performing either.

“There were always guns and guitars at our house,” Hernández said.

At age 13, a cousin asked him to play guitar for his band, the Latinaires, which eventually became known as Little Joe and the Latinaires. They were paid $22.50 for their first show in Cameron. Even after splitting the payment among the four band members, they were ecstatic because it took several days of picking cotton to earn as much.

Hernández said it took a lot of effort and determination to overcome his intense shyness and go out on stage to perform. “The magic just kicks in. It’s hard to explain,” he said, explaining that he likes to stay active and gets his energy from the music.

His current band includes eight members who play guitar, bass, drums, piano, percussion, trumpet and saxophone. Hernández loves all types of music. He likes to rework classics in his own style. Having worked with many amazing band members over the decades, Hernández said he would rather have a mediocre musician with a great attitude than a top-notch one with an ego. Your band becomes your family, and the members must be in sync and look to each other for musical cues in order for a performance to go smoothly, he said.

Hernández has gotten the opportunity to play with some very famous musicians in his lifetime, including Wilie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and Don Henley. He said Nelson once told him, “You do your best, and that’s all you can do.” He has lived by the credo ever since. He also loves the stage because he has a platform that gives voice to those who may not be able to speak for themselves.

Little Joe and La Familia have won several awards over the tears, including a Grammy for Best Mexican American performance in 1992 for “16 de Septiembre” and another in 2008 for Best Tejano Album of the Year for “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.”

The band has received 11 nominations and five wins for other albums over the past 30 years. The Little Joe Museum off Interstate 35 in Temple houses the awards. Hernández also received the Governor’s Award, which is a Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Recording Academy.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Hernández had a temporary and frightening break from music due to a serious bout with COVID-19, which impaired his breathing and energy level, keeping him from the stage for a month. He said he still has a bit of trouble with side effects but has learned to compensate during performances.

His loving family extends beyond the musicians on stage with him. He has four children with his wife, Criselda — Christie, Iky, Ivy and Ady — and proudly boasts four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He credits them for always keeping him grounded, especially at the height of his fame. He called his wife Cris his anchor because she has kept his family a tight unit and been a wonderful wife and mother for almost 60 years.

Still performing to sold-out audiences, Little Joe y La Familia have many more gigs ahead. Hernández may be 81in body, but he has the spirit of a lion and the heart of a lamb. He is a powerhouse, a musician and a man to be reckoned with, and his music is legendary. He has paved the way for Tejano musicians all over the world and his musical impact will be felt for generations to come.