Sweet Music

A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that Freddie Records, an independent record label in Corpus Christi, Tex., is merely having a hot year. At this year's Latin Grammys, three of the five albums nominated for Tejano music -- a blend of Mexican polka and American pop -- were released by Freddie. Two of the five norteño nominees, who sing in a less assimilated style, are also Freddie artists. Michael Salgado, a gravel-voiced singer who bounced around larger labels before joining Freddie, credits Freddie for his nomination. "If it takes an indie from Corpus Christi to do it," he laughs, "well, so be it."

While other Indie labels in South Texas were crushed by the majors in the late '80s, Freddie fought back. By 2002, Freddie had opened a state-of-the-art $4.2 million headquarters and recording studio. "I wanted [the artists] to walk in the door and know that they're not in a dentist's office," says President Freddie Martinez Jr. He makes sure all his artists have his cell-phone number. "I don't think Tommy Mottola can say that," he says. Revenues at the 26-person company are up 8% over last year's $7.4 million.