Lil Mizz Dynamite!
Michelle Yvette Lares, better known as Shelly Lares, had to grow up fast. She started her musical career at age 10. But that early experience has turned this San Antonio native into one of Tejano's most professional and excellent performers."Touring is a part of my life, so I'm pretty used to it," she says. "I haven't known anything different."So for the last two decades, she has been able to handle all the challenges of a music career, while keeping fans happy with her upbeat, feel-good Tejano music and her friendly nature.She has been signed to Tejas Records since 2002 and recently gave her fans a treat with the CD, Encore, containing new versions of her greatest cumbias and rancheras of the past decade, such as "Ganas de Besarte," "Soy tu Amor" and "Es Que Estoy Enamorada."Shelly's trademark raspy voice makes her instantly recognizable. Not only is her voice one-of -a-kind, her music also avoids easy categorization. "We really don't concentrate on what other bands are doing musically," she says. "We try to keep our own fresh ideas and pay attention to what the fans write on the website and want from us. They keep us on our toes and we pay attention to their reactions at our shows."Shelly's career has always been a family-oriented. Her father Fred managed her for many years and provided encouragement. He retired after a 1999 stroke, and her mother Irene stepped in to fill his shoes. Shelly gained the moniker "Little Miss Dynamite" early in her career and it stuck - she's still petite (even more so now since losing over 42 pounds in the last 3 years) but full of energy (both on stage and off, where she hits the gym regularly).The winner of eight Tejano Music Awards, including 2005 Female Vocalist and Female Entertainer of the Year, Shelly has worked hard to keep the rhythm of Tejano music going strong. She believes in Tejano, and is a wonderful ambassador for the music."I've seen its up and downs, but I still think there's a lot of potential for Tejano music," she say. "I believe so much in it, that I want to help keep it around.