Angie K (left) and Andrea Vasquez
The past decade has seen lots of changes that are decidedly not for the better in the global social and political climate. But one more positive movement is broader recognition of how marginalized groups have contributed — both historically and presently, and often in fundamental ways — to cultural phenomena that racist attitudes and policies have erased them from. A decade ago, you weren’t likely to hear the words “Latina” or “Latino” and “country music” in the same sentence, despite a rich history of Latino country fans and musicians, from Freddy Fender to The Mavericks to Sammy Arriaga and beyond. Today an increasing number of country artists who are Latino are becoming more and more visible, at least to fans and critics, and Nashville is increasingly becoming a creative hub for them.
Independent Latina country artists Angie K and Andrea Vasquez met years ago, after moving separately to Nashville. While they each found their place in the country community and began building their careers, they recognized that many of their fellow Latino country musicians had not. They made a mutual decision to pour themselves back into the community that had served and supported them. Observing the heartbreaking challenges immigrant communities across the U.S. continue to face, the pair began a journey to help Latino artists feel seen.
“Sometimes the hardest part of continuing a dream is believing it’s possible,” says Angie K during a recent phone call with both artists. “And when you feel alone against the government that can feel very impossible.”
When the holidays slowed down Vasquez and Angie K’s busy professional lives in December 2023, they began to tinker with the idea of a Nashville-based community for Latino country artists. They bought a website domain and got to work on social media channels for what would become the Country Latin Association.
The two strive to be anti-gatekeepers in the country industry. Keeping in mind how our digital age lessens the influence of physical distance and geographical borders on building a fan base, the CLA hit the ground running, helping guide Latino musicians into the American country scene. Primary goals for the organization include connecting Latino artists around the world and laying out the best ways for them to break into mainstream music networks. Among their endeavors is the Latina in Nashville podcast, whose second season began at the start of the new year. Vasquez hosts, and the show features stories from Nashville-based Latino entrepreneurs, hitmakers and creators.
“If we can just help loosen the mystery a little bit, which is harder for somebody who isn’t even in this country,” says Vasquez, “then you can maybe make things feel a lot easier for people.”
It’s an era of turmoil for many Latino artists, and Angie K, Vasquez and other artists involved with the Country Latin Association find solace in community — and the organization’s panels, artist showcases and live concerts encourage engagement. Country Con Corazón, a showcase the CLA put on during CMA Fest in June 2025, came right after a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Nashville in May. Following the ICE raids and arrests, Latino families lived in fear, scared to congregate and draw attention from law enforcement. For the first time since the peak of COVID lockdown, cultural centers like South Nashville’s Plaza Mariachi had empty parking lots.
“The whole place had been a ghost town for weeks, because people were too scared to go out with their families,” says Angie K.
Despite the uncertainty, the pair decided the show would go on in solidarity. Country Con Corazón was one of the first events to draw crowds back to Plaza Mariachi, fostering a night of reprieve and celebration for a community that had experienced a tidal wave of heartbreak.
“It just gave everybody kind of a moment of positivity,” Angie K says. “They felt a little supported by our community too, the country music community. … Like, ‘We got your back.’”
Throughout the past year, the CLA has kept boots on the ground in support of the music community, maintaining their mission by turning ideas into reality for artists.
“If all we are is a connector between people that want to make country music all over the world, and they need a place to just kind of congregate and talk and meet each other,” says Vasquez, “I feel like that completely satisfies the goal we had for it.”
In a city saturated with songsmiths and storytellers, new and diverse voices are being heard more loudly than ever.
“It doesn’t matter what you are or where you come from,” says Vasquez. “If you love country music, there’s a place for you here.”
Disclosure: Vasquez works in the sales department of the Scene’s parent company, FW Publishing.
Talking ‘Cruel Joke’ with Ken Pomeroy, speaking with the founders of the Country Latin Association and more
