87S30329 BK-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 42
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family, friends, and fans of Tejano music are
mourning the loss of Noé Nieto Jr., longtime member of Los Kumbia
Kings and Los Kumbia Kings All Starz, who passed away on September
11, 2021, at the age of 46; and
WHEREAS, A native of Columbus, Georgia, "Gipper" Nieto was
born on December 29, 1974, to Noé Nieto Sr. and Maria Del Rosario
Olivarez-Dieckhoff; he moved frequently with his military family,
and his interest in music was awakened at age 13, when he joined the
band program at his school in Puerto Rico and successfully taught
himself to play every brass instrument that was available; from
there, he learned to play the piano, which then led to his discovery
of his favorite instrument, the accordion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nieto made his home in San Perlita, Texas, and
he began his career as a professional musician playing alongside
his friends in a band called Gananzia; he subsequently started
another band, Los Impalas, that was signed by Abraham Quintanilla
under the Q Productions label in 1999, and soon thereafter he was
invited to join Los Kumbia Kings, the Latin Grammy-winning ensemble
from Corpus Christi that performed songs blending Mexican cumbia,
hip hop, and R&B; and
WHEREAS, With Los Kumbia Kings, Mr. Nieto played to sold-out
venues across North, Central, and South America; he continued as a
member of later iterations of the band, AB Quintanilla y los Kumbia
Kings and Los Kumbia Kings All Starz, and in 2011, he showcased his
musicianship on his solo album, Noé, in which he sang and played
every instrument; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nieto was most proud of his collaborations with
some of his music idols, who included AB Quintanilla III, Carlos
Vives, Thalia, Bobby Pulido, Jaime de Anda, Oscar de la Rosa,
Jennifer Peña, and numerous others; he had the pleasure of writing,
singing, engineering, and producing music alongside many
exceptional musicians, some of whom became mentors and close
friends to him; in addition, he found great fulfillment in his
involvement in an after-school program in San Perlita, which
allowed him to share his passion for music with young people; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Nieto enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, Kelly Koester-Nieto, and their three children,
Christopher, Khloe, and Rocket; and
WHEREAS, Gipper Nieto made a unique contribution to the world
of Tejano music and touched the lives of countless people along the
way, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all
those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Noé "Gipper" Nieto Jr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to his
family and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gipper
Nieto.