Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Flaco Jiménez

Discover the career path of Flaco Jiménez, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez is a highly regarded American singer, songwriter, and accordionist hailing from San Antonio, Texas. He is celebrated for his mastery of Norteño, Tex Mex, and Tejano music styles. Jiménez has enjoyed a prolific career as both a solo artist and a sought-after session musician. He gained further recognition as a key member of influential groups such as the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, solidifying his place as a significant figure in Tex-Mex music.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 13, 1976: Appearance on Saturday Night Live

On November 13, 1976, Flaco Jiménez appeared on NBC's "Saturday Night" with Ry Cooder.

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1976: Featured in "Chulas Fronteras"

In 1976, Jiménez was one of the featured artists in the documentary film "Chulas Fronteras", directed by Les Blank.

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1986: First Grammy Award

In 1986, Jiménez won his first Grammy award for his album "Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio", whose title song was composed by his father.

1987: Photograph by Al Rendon

In 1987, Al Rendon took a photograph of Jiménez that was added to the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. in 2017.

1988: Performance on "Streets of Bakersfield"

In 1988, Jiménez performed on the hit country single "Streets of Bakersfield" by Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens, which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1988.

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1998: Membership in Los Super Seven

Starting in 1998, Flaco Jiménez became a member of Los Super Seven, a supergroup that later won a Grammy Award for their eponymous album.

1999: Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1999, Jiménez was awarded the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award.

2000: Appearance in "Picking Up the Pieces"

In 2000, Jiménez appeared as a band member in the movie "Picking Up the Pieces", starring Woody Allen and Sharon Stone, and was featured on the film's soundtrack.

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2000: Tejano Music Video of the Year

In 2000, Jiménez won a Tejano Music Video of the Year award at the Tejano Music Awards for his song "De Bolon Pin Pon".

2001: Texas Medal of Arts

In 2001, both Flaco and his brother Santiago were included among the first group of recipients of the Texas Medal of Arts in the folk arts category.

2011: Tejano Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2011, Jiménez was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Tejano Music Awards ceremony.

2012: National Heritage Fellowship

In 2012, Jiménez received a National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment of the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.

2013: Featured in "This Ain't No Mouse Music"

In 2013, Jiménez was one of the artists featured in archival footage in the documentary film "This Ain't No Mouse Music" about Arhoolie Records and its founder Chris Strachwitz.

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2014: Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2014, Jiménez received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist from the Americana Music Association. He received his plaque at the ceremony from longtime collaborator Ry Cooder, with whom he also performed at the event.

2015: Sixth Grammy Award Win

Between 1986 and 2015, Jiménez won six Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, plus an additional three nominations.

2015: Induction into Austin City Limits Hall of Fame

In 2015, Jiménez was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

2015: Distinction in Arts and Latin Album Award

In 2015, Jiménez was one of five artists to receive the inaugural Distinction in Arts honor from the City of San Antonio. Also in 2015, his collaborative album with Max Baca titled "Flaco & Max: Legends & Legacies" won an award in the Latin Album category at the 14th Annual Independent Music Awards.

2017: Photograph Added to National Portrait Gallery

In 2017, a photograph of Jiménez taken by Al Rendon in 1987 was added to the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

2018: Listed Among Greatest Texas Musicians

In 2018, the Houston Chronicle listed Jiménez as number 19 of the Greatest 50 Texas Musicians of all time.

2019: Country Music Association of Texas Award

In 2019, Jiménez received the Top of Texas Award from the Country Music Association of Texas. Earlier in 2019, he also received the History-Making Texas Award from the Texas State History Museum Foundation.

2020: Chris Strachwitz Legacy Award

In 2020, Jiménez received the Chris Strachwitz Legacy Award from the Arhoolie Foundation.

2020: "Partners" Nominated for National Recording Registry

In 2020, Jiménez's album "Partners" was nominated as one of 25 works to be inducted into the National Recording Registry.

2021: "Partners" Selected for National Recording Registry

In 2021, Jiménez's album "Partners" was selected as one of 25 works to be inducted into the National Recording Registry's class of 2020. The registry recognized Jiménez as "a champion of traditional conjunto music and Tex-Mex culture who also is known for innovation and collaboration with a variety of artists."