Posted on January 3, 2024 by KSAT News
Shelly Lares and Patsy Torres each decided to build on their celebrity in ways some of their devoted fans may find surprising after making their marks in the Tejano music industry that they helped pioneer.
SAN ANTONIO – Shelly Lares and Patsy Torres each decided to build on their celebrity in ways some of their devoted fans may find surprising after making their marks in the Tejano music industry that they helped pioneer.
“I already made my musical legacy, but I have to build my life’s legacy now,” Lares said.
After 40 years on the road, Lares finally retired.
“That’s a chapter of my life that I closed because I can do that in my sleep,” Lares said.
Although she still writes and produces music and promotes young artists, Lares said she found her life’s calling in February by doing hospice work augmented with musical therapy.
Lares said she’d always wanted to work in hospice, but she thought it would take a degree in nursing to achieve that dream.
Her cousin, who has a hospice agency, asked her to do musical therapy for her patients.
Lares said entertaining thousands upon thousands of people pales compared to what she’s doing now for people “about to transition.”
“To make them smile and sing and be happy just for that moment –– nothing compares to that,” Lares said.
This year, Lares also became the first artist-in-residence in the UTSA School of Music, teaching students about the business side of the music industry.
Lares said she wants them to learn what she and Patsy Torres had to do the hard way.
“Look who my mentor is,” Lares said. “My mentor is a doctor.”
Read and watch the interview on KSAT NEWS
— KSAT News
