The 2005 Celebrity Guests at Washington Mutual Thanksgiving Parade include:

Women of Integrity

Joe Ely

In the '70s, country & western was full of artists referred to as outlaws, mavericks who bucked the stodgy Nashville music establishment by writing their own songs, recording with their road bands, and producing their own records. The genre produced a slew of acts, but Amarillo, TX, native Joe Ely epitomized the form. Unlike most of that era's big names, Ely remained a viable artist. He got his start back in the early '70s, working with Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore in a group called the Flatlanders. Around the mid-'70s, Ely formed an eclectic group who was able to swing from Cajun and western to honky tonk stomps and rockabilly; they were signed to MCA in 1977. Ely released an eponymous debut that year, using songs written by ex-Flatlanders Gilmore and Butch Hancock and throwing in some of his own road-worn, oddly poetic originals. The next year brought Honky Tonk Masquerade, the cornerstone of Ely's legacy and one of modern country's most ambitious albums. Further albums (especially Live Shots, recorded during his European tour with the Clash) brought Ely to the attention of rock fans and netted ecstatic reviews in country and pop magazines. MCA dropped Ely in 1983, and he woodshedded until 1987, when the independent Hightone label signed him and released Lord of the Highway. Another Hightone album followed before Ely (whose influence was being felt by the new breed of country neo-traditionalists) re-signed with MCA, releasing another live set and Love and Danger. Twistin' in the Wind followed in 1998, and Live at Antone's arrived two years later along with MCA-Nashville's Best Of collection. Ely remained an energetic and passionate live performer and an occasionally inspired songwriter. .The dust of West Texas seems to breed a style of singer/songwriter who lays it on the line just as it is, bares his musical soul for the dancers in some timeworn Texas roadhouse or for the dignitaries in some glitzy metropolitan concert hall. His music is a mix of country, rock, tex-mex and western swing. Reviewing his 2000 performance on Austin City Limits, NET Online said, "Ely live is the ultimate honky-tonk adrenaline rush - the sonic equivalent of getting sucked into a panhandle twister." His 1978 album Honky Tonk Masquerade was listed by Rolling Stone among the best of the 1970s, and Musta Notta Gotta Lotta landed in Newsweek's list of ten best albums for 1981. He consistently is one of the top stars on the Americana radio stations. With eighteen albums to call his own and a whole truck load of movie soundtracks that include his name, Joe Ely isn't slowing down a bit!

Joe Ely will be performing on the "Deep in the Hearts of Texas" float sponsored by Washington Mutual.


www.ely.com

Little Joe y La Familia

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Little Joe & La Familia has been one of the most popular Tex-Mex bands in the music industry. Little Joe has been entertaining for more than 40 years and has beenand has been described as the "KING OF THE BROWN SOUND". He has also helped pioneer "Tejano" music, a mix of traditional "norteno" music and country, blues and rock styles. In 1958, Joe would make his recording debut as a guitarist for Terro Records in Corpus Christi, Texas, an instrumental single "safari part 1 and 2"which was composed by all members of the latinaires.

In 1959, Jesse, Joe's young brother who was the bassist, singer and songwriter would join in the band. .Joe took over the band renaming it "Little Joe & The Latinaires".
In 1964, Jesse was killed in an automobile accident. Joe then made a vow at Jesse's gravesite to carry his music to the top; not realizing how high his music would take him, how it would open many doors for other artists or how he would set many trends.
In the 60's, Joe would sign with the Texas based independent record companies, starting with his 1st record deal, Corona Records in San Antonio, next Valmon records in Austin and later Zarape Records in Dallas. Joe ventured into his own independent label “Buena Suerte Records" for spanish recordings and “Good luck Records" for his english records. Also to follow would be Leona Records, a label also owned by Joe and a distribution deal with Freddy Records in Corpus Christi, Texas which would keep Joe independent through the 70's and 80's.
In 1970, after playing and spending much time in San Francisco and the bay area, Joe discovered "Latinismo",a strong latin musical world which was not found in Texas at that time. It had profound change in his music and his cultural values which prompted him to change the name of his band from The Latinaires to "La Familia".Joe wanted more knowledge on his heritage and his roots.
While with Sony Discos, he would be a 2 time Grammy nominee, and in 1992 would receive the GRAMMY AWARD for "Dies y Seis De Septiembre" for the BEST MEXICAN-AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CATEGORY in 1991.
Recently, Joe signed with Capitol EMI. His 1st recording became a Grammy Nominated album entitled Little Joe 2000.Aside from his music career, Joe has worked in the film industry starring in two feature films, Proposition187,A deadly law, and "Down for the Barrio".
Forty Years...and over 50 albums later, Joe is touring the world, trailblazing, looking forward to new challenges, breaking down cultural and musical barriers and innovating his musical style. As always, Joe strives to bring many people together to make a more peaceful and harmonious world.

www.littlejoelafamilia.com