Lydia Mendoza was an American guitarist who sang tejano music. She was once known as the QUEEN of TEJANO music back in the 1930’s. She was born on May 21, 1996, into a musical family from Houston, Texas. Her mother and grandmother were also singers, she obviously took after them. Lydia and her family once entered a musical contest and won first place. With those earnings her family and her made a life in San Antonio. They did several shows around San Antonio expressing her god given talent. During the big Depression she and her family would travel and she would sing for the poor people and bring a little joy in their lives. Not many people would do that especially for nothing in return. This just goes to show how caring Lydia was and how she loved doing what she does. Her family struggled for two years, making their living by playing at the open air market for some cash. After singing, traveling, and putting on shows she was finally discovered by a major recording label who decided to take her in and record her music. She would be one of the very first tejano female recordist. She became big and popular by all. People everywhere wanted to hear her music. She had a popular song that was dedicated to her husband and personally wrote by her, it was called “Amor Bonito”. This song is very touching. It expresses her deep love and devotion for him and how much she appreciates. When her husband died, she was very, very sadly depressed as would anyone after losing a loved one. But then she met a new love who would help renew her spirits and help her resume her singing career. Although, she had arthritis in her hands, she continued to perform until the late 1980’s, when a stroke left her somewhat paralyzed. Lydia Mendoza earned herself many honorary recognitions throughout her music career. She died at a mere ninety-one years old on December 20 2007.