In 2013, at just 14-years-old, Elora was Nominated Best Singer/Song Writer for the San Antonio Music Awards and placed second. Elora’s star continues to rise and she continues to establish herself as one to watch in the local music scene. Her debut single, produced by Emilio and Diego Navaira; Dance The Night Away along with her releases; Wish You Were Mine, Facebook and Dance Floor earned her a place on ReverbNation’s 2012 Top 10 Pop Chart for San Antonio where she ranked #1 making her the youngest artists to be ranked #1 for the Pop Chart for San Antonio. These original songs were co-written by Elora and her production team Emilio & Diego Navaira who produced her EP.
Elora just released her first album: Your Girl Tonight. She released the first single from her new album in March 2013 titled: Rock My World. Rock My World quickly was ranked #1 on ReverbNation’s “Rock” Chart for the San Antonio again making her the youngest artist to hold the #1 ranking of the Rock Chart for San Antonio.
The hard working teen got her start at Studio M's RockStar academy in 2010. Elora’s vocal talents quickly caught the attention of the entertainment scene and media.
The San Antonio Express-News noted Elora as an up and coming artist, The San Antonio Current, was quoted “Watching Elora Valdez sing Gun N’ Roses “Paradise City” is humbling beyond calculability…I’m impressed.” SA Scene Magazine called her “San Antonio’s Next Rock Star”. Aspire to Inspire SA Magazine noted Elora as “One to watch”, Df Magazine noted “She’s talented…young and focused she makes music with passion and skill”. Scream Magazine “She’s has such great talent and is going to make it big”; Eclectiblog’s Music News: “Elora has become a phenomenon in San Antonio and the surrounding areas”
Elora has been featured on KTSA’s Jack Riccardi Show; KENS-TV’s Great Day SA Extraordinary Kid’s ; San Antonio Living; WOAI News for her Wounded Warrior Summer Concert Series; FOX News First; KSAT 12; Radio San Antonio’s Jay Tope Morning Show; Original Christian Oldies Radio Show; The Tommy Calvert Morning Show on KROV Radio; KERV Radio Kerville Texas; KTRJ SA Radio; KXEV SA Radio; KUNO AM Corpus Christi, Texas; KSAB FM Corpus Christi. Texas; KZTV News, Corpus Christi, Texas; KRIS News, Corpus Christi, Texas; KBAY 92.7 Corpus Christi, Texas; KZFM Hot Z 95 Corpus Christi, Texas; Domingo Live Corpus Christi, Texas; Good Job Texas and Good Job Texas Jr. with Nikki Young; FOX San Antonio KABB’s Daytime@ Nine with Kimberly Crawford and Cassandra Lazenby and featured on their Kids That Rock Segment.
In addition to her music, Elora has worked on the set of Good Job Texas Jr. which is an internet show that features young Texas music artists. Producer Nikki Young has casted Elora as a member of Good Job Texas’ newest show; SA Teen Scene. Elora is the youngest correspondent on the show which made its debut in February 2013. Elora covers music and entertainment. Nikki Young has described Elora as having the “it” factor and although the youngest of the cast, she is the best known and talented of the group.
Elora performs as lead singer for her own band Gasoline Alley which is one of San Antonio’s top rock/pop bands. Performing Classic Rock, Pop, and original music, Members of the band include: Nick Valdez (12) Lead Guitar, and Elise Garcia (15) Drums. The trio amazes audiences with their music and talent.
Nick Valdez: (Lead Guitar): Nick started playing at the age of 8. His was taught by four time Grammy Producer Michael Morales and took private lessons from Michael’s son Jonathan Morales who at the time was 12 years old. Nick was a natural and with the help of his father and You Tube has developed into one of the best 12 year old guitarist in the City of San Antonio. People are amazed at his skills and have commented that he plays better than most musicians twice his age. Elora describes Nick as the “Heart and Soul” of the band; without him we would not be who we are today”.
Elise Garcia (Drummer): Elise has been performing with Elora & Gasoline Alley since October 2011. Now 15, she keeps the beat of the band. Elora & Nick met Elise at the Michael Morales Rock Star Academy. Although they did not perform together at the Academy, they became good friends. When original band members of Elora & Gasoline Alley decided to leave the band, Elise was the first person she thought of to replace her drummer. Elise’s skills have developed tremendously and she has been the best addition to the band since its inception. Elora and Elise’s friendship had developed into a close bond as friends.
Elora and Gasoline Alley have performed at major events across the city of San Antonio, including Fiesta Especiales at Morgan’s Wonderland, Fiesta De Los Ninos at Port of San Antonio, PAC Fest at Palo Alto College, Fiesta De Los Reyes at Market Square, Arneson River Theater, La Villita, Rock n Roll Marathon, Tower of Americas, Treat Street, Pearl Brewery, Retama Park, The Alamo Dome, the AT & T Center, San Antonio River Holiday Parade, San Antonio Texas Cavalier Parade, San Antonio Military River Parade, OLLU’s Best of the West, Rosedale Park, SplashTown, Texas Folklife Festival, Boerne Music ShowCase, Round Rock Chalk Fest, The Broken Duck Feet Music Festival, Beville Fusion Music Festival. Floresville Peanut Festival, Kingsville Texas Ranch Hand Breakfast, Josabi’s, Klusoz’s, Clicks Live, Local Coffee, The Cove, Sam’s Burger Joint, Endless Music, Leon Springs Dance Hall, Moses Roses Hide Out and most recently the Maverick Music Festival where Elora & Gasoline Alley opened for Gary Clark Jr., The Toadies and Girl in a Coma.
In 2011, Elora & Gasoline Alley performed over 80 performances. In 2012 they conducted their first Summer Tour with performances in Austin, Boerne, Marble Falls and Houston, Texas.
2013 is off to a great start with Elora & Gasoline Alley performing as the host band for First Fridays in South Town and the publishing of a children’s book based upon Elora & Gasoline Alley’s success as young musicians. The book titled: Elora & Gasoline Alley – The Making of A Kid Band written by Dr. Marcella Villegas-Garcia to promote music and literacy made its debut in March 2013. Plans are in the works for the band to donate copies to every public school library in the City of San Antonio and hopefully beyond. Additionally, plans are in the works to produce an internet radio show called: The Elora’s World Music hour on KTRJ-SA.Com which will feature local artists from San Antonio.
Elora has supported numerous non-profits and community schools with fund raising events by volunteering her talents to perform. Such events include: The Susan Komen Race for the Cure, The American Diabetes Association Walk, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Rock the Cure, The Texas Kidney Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Family Support Center and numerous schools within the North Side Independent School District and local church festivals.
In January 2012, Elora launched her very own Rock The Cure Campaign to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with a Spjecial Edition CD of her music with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit JDRF.
