Gonzales, Delia

Recording artist Delia Gonzales was born and raised in Crystal City, Texas. She started as lead singer with her multicultural band, Culturas, in 1993 in San Antonio, along with African American male vocalist Dee Burleson. After Dee Burleson left the group in 1995, the band became Delia y Culturas and landed a recording contract with Capital EMI Records. In 1998, Delia y Culturas performed for President Clinton on his visit to San Antonio, Texas. By 2008, Delia had ceased performing with the band because of health problems and underwent a kidney transplant that same year at the age of 45. Already married to band member Carlos Silvas at the time of the interview, she most recently preferred to go by Delia Gonzales-Silvas, and since her surgery, she has chosen to study nursing and to raise funds for victims of kidney disease. The band was recognized by the Tejano Music Awards as "Most Promising Band of the Year" in 1993 and as "Show Band of the Year" in 1995.