Domingo Pena was the show to watch on TV for those of us who like music. He was also the first Latino on television that looked like us that was not a Bandido or “Indian.” Back then, with very few exceptions, we were cast as the orange Jesus says “Bad Hombres.”
Para los viejos como yo, for old Chicano/a (s) like me.
When a drunk driver killed four of our relatives near Corpus Christi, Domingo Pena was there with a fundraiser to help the family.
From the Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
The dances became immensely popular and were the beginning of a lifelong effort to use his growing fame and fortune to help the community in Corpus Christi and beyond. Peña initiated his philanthropic career while in radio and soon the dances became part of his charity work and fundraisers for those in need.
In 1964, as the Beatles begged to hold our hands on the Ed Sullivan Show, Peña launched what would become the nation’s longest-running Hispanic community television show. “The Domingo Peña Show (Or as he liked to call it “El Show de Domingo Peña”) aired Sunday mornings on KIII-TV Channel 3 in Corpus Christi. The show opened every episode with footage of Peña blaring in a gruff and commanding voice, “Are we ready go to?” There is a slight pause and then he barks “Put it on!,” with his trademark delivery. As the viewers caught their first glimpse of the host, Peña’s cigar was in his hand and his pants just high enough to catch a glimpse of his boots.
He would often sing a short version of a song, “Camada de Prieda.”