Mexican artist Ezequiel Peña achieved international recognition in the mid-'90s after teaming up with Marco Antonio Solís to release Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Verdes in 1994 and Orgullo Ranchero in 1996. He released nearly an album a year, including 2000's El Nuevo Charro de Mexico, 2003's Viva la Banda, and 2005's El de Nayarit, the first time Peña showed off his ability to play norteño, and Nuestra Tradicion: La Charreria, which celebrated the tradition of the Mexican cowboy, or charro. Recognized as one of the leaders in both mariachi and banda, Peña was nominated by the Grammy committee in 2007 for Best Banda Album. ~ Drago Bonacich