Óscar “El Gallo Copeton” Martínez[1] (January 3, 1934 – July 15, 2020) was an American musician and songwriter of Mexican descent who performed Tejano, slow rock, polkas, cumbias and English tunes.
Oscar, who is still active, is also known for writing tunes with catchy lyrics, a big brassy sound and a musical career that has spanned over half a century.
Known to Tejano Music devotees as El Tejano Enamorado, Oscar Martinez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Eloisa and Pedro Martinez in a small barrio known as “Loma Rosa.” Oscar's mother, Eloisa, had two sisters; Goya and Ramona; two half-brothers, Manuel and Pedro Guerra; and a half-sister, Erlinda Guerra.
In the area close to present Port and Agnes streets, near an oil cotton factory known to residents as “La Mantequeria,” Oscar's grandmother, Dona Santos Guitron Galindo, owned several businesses that included rental apartments, and a small grocery store, where she used a small corn graining machine to prepare and sell masa de maiz (corn dough).
Lopez performed mechanic duties with his Dad during the day and played the alto sax after hours at Ibarra's Nite Club.
Unable to meet the band's touring demands, Oscar was forced to leave the Lopez organization in order to keep his day job at a local auto parts store.
The band's first recording, “La Lumbre” (penned by Oscar Martinez) and “Llorando Por Ti” (written by Juan Perez) did well on radio, with increased bookings.
In 1965, Oscar wrote his big hit, “El Tejano Enamorado.” Isidro Lopez recorded the tune first, with accordion instrumentation.
Two young sailors in a Mustang died instantly; all the members of the band suffered bruises, broken limbs and head injuries.
Bright and energetic Oscar Martinez is known as one of the last “pioneers of Tejano Music” and continues to live in his hometown, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Honors On March 20, 1999, Oscar Martinez was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in San Antonio, Texas in the category of Composer.
Eligio Escobar, Las Hernamitas Gongora, Juan Guerero, Los Unicos, Ruben and Alfonso Ramos, Tony “Ham” Guerrero, Lydia Mendoza, Freddie Martinez and Manny Guerra were also honored that evening.