VALLEY COUNTRY: Rebecca Cervera

Rebecca Cervera grew up in a blue school bus, traipsing across the Western United States with her family. The fifth of 13 kids, she learned to perform and play music with her family. She describes it as "sort of like the Partridge Family but really low end."

Nowadays, Cervera lives and performs in McAllen. She plays her music for mostly private gigs in juvenile correction facilities and schools. Cervera, who moved to the Valley after a sting in Vera Cruz, Mexico, teaches a message of self improvement and literacy.

Playing since she was 8, and she's 34 now. Performing in the Valley since 2004.

Hometown: The Western United States
Current town: McAllen
Sounds like: Alanis Morrissette - rage + Shania Twain + Dido
Cowboy cred: 2 cowboy hats.

As a country musician, how do you relate to Tejano music? Since I'm from German descent, it's very similar to European polka. I relate to the stories. The stories in Tejano are very similar to the stories in United States western music. They're both story types of music.

How does a Valley crowd differ from a regular country crowd? Since a lot of people in the Valley have limited exposure to other kinds of music or other kinds of art, a Valley crowd has to be met where they're at, and they have to be entertained at their level. Meaning, they want to hear their story first and after that they're more open to your story.

What is your dream gig? A venue where as many young people as possible could come together. As many kids who need to hear an inspired real life message of anybody can accomplish their dreams. Any time you can get as many kids or young people like that together as possible. That would be my dream gig.

Where do you expect country music to take you? I expect it to keep me me. To keep me real and to keep me telling a story and telling it better each time.