Oscar Martinez (musician)

Óscar “El Gallo Copeton” Martínez (Corpus Christi, Texas, January 3, 1934) is an American musician and songwriter of Mexican descent who performs Tejano, slow rock, polkas, cumbias and English tunes. Known to Tejano Music devotees as "El Tejano Enamorado", after the title of his song which was a hit for Isidro Lopez in 1954.

Martinez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in a small barrio known as “Loma Rosa.” Oscar joined the Corpus Christi-based Isidro Lopez Orchestra in 1954 and played for the group through 1956. In 1958 he formed The Oscar Martinez Band. In 1960 the band recorded “Makes No Difference” and “La Bamba” and the band’s popularity exploded. In 1965, Oscar composed his big hit, “El Tejano Enamorado.” The tune was recorded by Isidro Lopez, who headed one of the top orchestras of the day, and it became a hit on Tejano radio across the state. Oscar hosted a very popular radio show in Corpus Christi on KCCT Radio, every morning, from 7:00 am to 8:00 am which was later expanded to include a 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm show every week-day. Oscar has written many songs but is best known for his hit songs “El Tejano Enamorado” and “El Gallo Copeton.” It is said that Oscar was the first songwriter to use the word “Tejano” in a song and album. Oscar, who is still active, is also known for writing tunes with catchy lyrics, a big brassy sound and a musical career that has spanned over half a century.

Known to Tejano Music devotees as El Tejano Enamorado, Oscar Martinez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Eloisa and Pedro Martinez in a small barrio known as “Loma Rosa.” Oscar’s mother, Eloisa, had two sisters; Goya and Ramona; two half-brothers, Manuel and Pedro Guerra; and a half-sister, Erlinda Guerra. Oscar’s father, Pedro A. Martinez, worked at an oil mill in the cotton bale department. The family lived in a house at 407 Duncan Street, which was located just across the railroad tracks from the oil mill. Oscar grew up with three brothers, Joe, Johnny and Victor. He also had a half-brother, Daniel. In the area close to present Port and Agnes streets, near an oil cotton factory known to residents as “La Mantequeria,” Oscar’s grandmother, Dona Santos Guitron Galindo, owned several businesses that included rental apartments, and a small grocery store, where she used a small corn graining machine to prepare and sell masa de maiz (corn dough). In those days this masa de maiz was used to make corn tortillas. In addition to masa, Oscar’s grandmother hawked butter, eggs and other goods to barrio residents. She also owned cows, chickens, rabbits and goats. Oscar attended Southgate Elementary School and Driscoll Jr. High. It was there that Oscar joined the band and was assigned the tuba as his instrument. Oscar attended and graduated (1953) from Roy Miller High School where he played in the school’s Buccaneer Band.

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