Increasing border violence in Northern Mexico is forcing more Mexico music acts into Texas venues. Since 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched a military campaign against drug cartels in the country, there have been over 30,000 deaths due to the drug-related violence. A major Mexican concert in Monterrey, for example, had to be canceled after shots were fired into the crowd.

Rio Grande Valley club owners have been benefiting from this influx of talent as fans flock to see live performances by Mexican groups in towns like McAllen. A popular Mexican singer, Julieta Venegas, recently performed in McAllen to a sold-out crowd, and Texas concert promoters expect this is only the beginning as the drug-violence across the border shows no signs of letting up.