Tejano singer Graciela Beltran is widely known as one of regional Mexican music's most influential female voices. Next to artists like Rocío Dúrcal and Selena, Beltran is credited with helping to form the genre, as well as solidifying women's place in it. Born in a small town in Sinaloa, Mexico, she showed immense musical potential at an early age. After her family relocated to Los Angeles, she began performing professionally at restaurants and fiestas as early as age six. Under the name Gracielita Beltran, she began recording albums of norteño, banda, and mariachi music with ...