I was born in the small town of Alice, Texas. My father, Eligio Escobar, was an 18-wheel truck driver and my mother, Jesusita, was a housewife. When I was 10 months old, I was stricken with the polio virus on my left leg. I had to wear a brace for four years. When I was three years old, my father was in a terrible head-on collision, in which five people died. He was one of two who survived, but he was bedridden for a year. My mother had to go to work at a laundry; we were very poor at the time.

My father was disabled for life now, and with the persuasion of so many friends and family he decided to start singing for a living.

He and I were home alone during the time he was bedridden, and I would listen to him practice his singing with his guitar all day long. This is when I developed my love for music.

My father soon began recording, and I remember feeling so proud when I heard him on the radio. I would ask everyone at the supermarket if they knew who Eligio Escobar was, and I would brag that he was MY father. I would memorize every song he would record and others I would hear on the radio.

When I was 6 years old, my father was performing at La Villita Dance Hall in Alice and I pleaded with him to let me sing a song. At first he said no because he was afraid that I would get stage fright and forget the song or not sing on beat or something. But I assured him that I had it together and I was sure I could do it.

I remember the very first song I sang was "La Bola Negra". That night there was a radio announcer in the audience who approached my father and asked him to bring me to his radio show in the morning so that I could sing a few songs live on the air.

The radio station was KROB in Robstown, Texas. Several people called in advising my father to have me recorded — and he did.

My first record was "La Huerfanita," and on the flip side was "La Bola Negra". Recorded at Armando Marroquin's recording studio in Alice, Texas under "Ideal" record label. My father was touring the state with a group called "Los Guadalupanos de Joey López." I joined him, and we became a team.

We began doing really well, and at the age of 8, I recorded my first hit song, "Los Frijolitos Pintos." Doors opened for me nationwide, and I signed a contract with BEGO Records.

We toured California. Chicago and many big cities with big name stars such as Lucha Villa, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Cantinflas. and, from Texas, Los Relampagos, Tony De La Rosa, Carlos Guzman and many more.

It was the experience of a lifetime, touring with so many big name artists and having the public accept you as an equal with them.

I was even showered with money at a concert in Brownfield. Texas at the age of 10. I didn't know whether to keep singing or to pick up the money!

It was a great world for a child. Every year when we toured California we would visit Disneyland. For our performances at night, all the stars — like me — used to ride to our "gig" in a large limousine with eight doors, which we called "El Chorizo".

I continued recording, and performing full-time during the summer, when I was not in school. I did not have an average childhood, because I was never home.

I graduated from high school, married, and began the role as a wife. I never gave up my pursuit of a singing career. I stopped touring due to the birth of my daughters, Imelda and Glenda. During this time. I recorded with Tony de La Rosa under his label, and also did a duet with Al "Chato" Chavarria from "El Grupo Mayo" titled "Looking for Love".

I formed my own band "Zamen" with keyboards and recorded under Supremo Label. I recorded commercial jingles for several national companies and also went into partnership with David Hernandez (Cielo Band) and recorded under Hacienda Label. I did a duet with Tony Guerrero and "La Sombra" called "All I Could" Somehow, between my busy schedule, I gave birth to my son, Jon. I decided to go back to conjunto music and recorded under DINA Label with "Los Hermanos Cadena" (Vol. I), and was awarded Conjunto Female Vocalist of the Year at the West Texas Music Awards in Lubbock, Texas. In the late 80s, I formed my own conjunto and recorded Volume II cassette under DINA Label.

During the 90s, Volume III under DINA Label was released in March, featuring original songs by Johnny Herrera. an internationally known writer.

I recorded "Sin Problemas" cassette under Hacienda Label, where I featured three songs with my father, and a remake of "El Gambler," an Eligio Escobar original.

When my father died of cancer, and I felt I could not continue my music career without him. After collecting my thoughts, I felt it was time to continue the Escobar legacy.

Being in the music business hasn't been easy, but because my father played a vital part in my life, and I am going to see to it that his music lives on through me.

I thank God, my father and mother, promoters, DJs, musicians, family, and friends for all the support you have given me. God Bless you all.

Sinceramente,

Linda Escobar