CANDACE VARGAS BIOGRAPHY Es Amor (It’s Love) is what Candace Vargas’ new CD is all about, and it will be love at first listen when you enjoy the biggest release yet by this amazing young singer. For the last few years she’s been New Mexico’s best-kept secret, winning fans all over the state with her up-beat songs in Spanish, many of them written by her father, Joel Sr. But now she’s a teenager and ready to wow audiences across the U.S. with her first Tejano/Regional Mexican album, Es Amor. This project received a major boost early on when none other than Javier Galván, lead singer of Grupo Fama, heard Candace’s voice for the first time and without hesitation agreed to write and produce the album. Working with a great songwriter like Javier was the right choice – Candace was very committed to recording all-new songs, rather than covers, in order to make a clear statement about who she is and what she’s all about. The first single is also titled “Es Amor” and comes with a music video. This is a fun album that represents Tejano at its best – uptempo, danceable rhythms and romantic, beguiling lyrics. She’s not trying to sound like anyone else, though she doesn’t hesitate to name her favorite singers – Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Gretchen Wilson, Stefani Montiel, Elida, Shelly Lares, and Selena. Candace is a typical teenager who hangs out with friends, plays volleyball and struggles with homework, but she’s been serious about music ever since she can remember. Her first CD Ay Pollito (2002) contains a nostalgic clip of her singing the ranchera “Los Laureles” when she was just 3. She began singing professionally at age 9 – it was immediately apparent that she possessed the voice and charisma to open doors and grab everyone’s attention. Over the next four years, she won several New Mexico Hispano Music Association (NMHMA) awards and one award from the New Mexico Hispano Entertainers Association. She also recorded and released her second album, Corazoncito (2004). Candace’s family gives her unconditional support – her mother, Ruth Ann, and father, Joel Sr., attend all of her shows, and her older brother Joel Jr. sings backup and plays several instruments.