Johnny Olivaj

Johnny was born in Laredo,Texas but raised in the small town of Encinal. Johnny's musical career started while he was attending Cotulla High School in Cotulla,Texas. Starting as a choir singer in 1995, one year later he joined the high school mariachi band as a vocalist and guitarist for three years. Performing around town, Johnny gained the attention of many including Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. Johnny during that time also started his conjunto band "Los Criminales" in which, Johnny began playing accordion and performing at weddings and parties. In 1999 after graduating from high school, Johnny wrote several songs and recorded an album (which has not been released) with Robert Ybarra ( ex-guitarist for Jay Perez), Robie Esparza (percussionist for Kumbia All Starz) and Grammy Award winners Chente Barrera and Max Baca. In 2003 Johnny joined and recorded with Tejano Orquestral band "La Experiencia" out of Laredo,Texas and were popular with the song "Eres Casado" on the radio station Z93. Johnny left music for a short time and moved out of state. Returning back to Texas, Johnny worked as an extra and actor on independent movies. In the past Johnny worked as an extra in the motion picture movie "Selena". Johnny returned to his music in 2006 performing in many places around Texas. In 2009, Johnny recorded an album entitled "Al Puro Golpe" which recieved air play in KEDA in San Antonio, also during that time was honored to perform at a benefit dance for tejano star Emilio Navaira, not to mentioned performed in Fiesta in San Antonio,Texas with a huge turn out in attendence. On July 17th, Johnny reunited with his former band members of his first band: Los Criminales, after 12 years. Johnny also recorded an album with Los Cuatro Reales and recieved air play in Dec 2010 in laredos z93 and performed for the Tejano Music Awards fan fair in 2010.