1981–1988: Early life and career beginnings Pedro Astudillo was born on December 1, 1963, at the Las Palmas
ranch in
Laredo, Texas. His parents, Pedro and Paz Astudillo, were Mexican immigrants from
Guerrero, and arrived in the United States in 1962. Until he was 13 years old, Astudillo worked alongside his family on farms thinning beets and potatoes. He described working in the fields as demanding but rewarding. Astudillo worked as a dishwasher and later a cook at his family's restaurant. Singing in his church choir gave Astudillo an outlet, although he initially felt shy about it. Astudillo found himself drawn to music class. At the age of nine or ten, Astudillo began writing love poems and songs to express himself. Astudillo acknowledged that it was never a planned endeavor to become a singer, but rather a surprise discovery. He initially began singing on a whim, without any preconceived notions of pursuing it as a career. As he continued writing, Astudillo found himself enamored with singing and composing lyrics. Astudillo remained hopeful of a music career despite his lack of funds. Astudillo graduated from
Laredo Nixon High School in 1982. In 1984, after spending a few years at
Laredo College, he quit college to open a restaurant with his brother in
Loveland, Colorado. He later reapplied to college after moving back to Laredo. Astudillo met
Joe Ojeda through a mutual friend, who was seeking a lead singer. They formed Los Bad Boyz, making their debut at the catering business of Astudillo's brother, Rogelio. Rogelio often recommended Los Bad Boyz to patrons who were unable to afford live music. Los Bad Boyz faced challenges securing larger gigs and rejection from promoters, even after offering to perform for free. Astudillo attributed this to their relative obscurity and the skepticism surrounding a two-person band. Feeling overwhelmed by its challenges, Astudillo and Ojeda considered quitting music. During one of their performances at a
flea market, they were discovered by local DJ, The Bird El Locutor #2. Astudillo described it as a stroke of luck, feeling they were in the right place at the right time. In August 1988, The Bird extended Los Bad Boyz a regular slot at Rox-Z's in Laredo, though they performed unpaid. Despite their performances, Los Bad Boyz went unnoticed as they were relatively unknown. The club's owners and workers appreciated their music, prompting The Bird to propose to management that whenever a popular band or performance was scheduled, Los Bad Boyz could open for them. The following month, Los Bad Boyz opened for
Selena y Los Dinos. The group consisted of lead singer
Selena,
A. B. Quintanilla as the band's producer-songwriter, and bassist,
Suzette Quintanilla on drums, keyboardist-songwriter
Ricky Vela, and Jesse Ybarra on guitar. Selena y Los Dinos was managed by the Quintanilla's father
Abraham Quintanilla. By 1988, Selena y Los Dinos was ranked the most requested band in ten out of fifteen
Tejano music radio stations in Texas. Astudillo remarked that he knew who Selena was, but noted that he was not too into Tejano music at the time. Abraham was initially skeptical of Los Bad Boyz opening for Selena y Los Dinos because they were a two-person group. However, Los Bad Boyz's performance made a positive impression on Selena y Los Dinos and Abraham. After the show, Abraham approached Los Bad Boyz and inquired about their management and booking, offering his business card, and requested them to call him to discuss potential future collaborations. Abraham asked Los Bad Boyz if they would go on the road with them as their opening act, which they did for the next two months. They opened for Selena y Los Dinos in various cities, as a strong friendship between Astudillo and A. B. began to develop. Astudillo stated how he and Ojeda "were happy just to be on the same stage with [Selena y Los Dinos]", and thought that the group was "just being polite" when they were asked to continue to support the group as opening acts. Astudillo likened Selena y Los Dinos to the "Latino
Brady Bunch" and described Selena as "goofy, crazy and loud". A. B. gradually persuaded Abraham, though initially reluctant due to financial concerns, to incorporate Los Bad Boyz into the group. Ultimately, A. B. convinced Abraham, allowing Astudillo and Ojeda to integrate into Selena y Los Dinos. Astudillo and Ojeda joined the group on December 25, 1988, following a show in
Midland, Texas. Astudillo experienced a profound sense of fulfillment when he was invited to join Selena y Los Dinos, feeling as though his aspirations had finally materialized. Astudillo's addition to Selena y Los Dinos involved harmonizing with Selena and performing duets with the singer, as well as being a
hype man, dancer, and
roadie. Astudillo often performed duets with Selena on tour, while Ojeda joined as the second keyboardist. Astudillo brought complex lyrics and melodies with lots of chords to his songwriting assistance for the group.
1989–1991: Selena y Los Dinos (
pictured in 2020) when he was integrated into
Selena y Los Dinos. During the
1989 Tejano Music Awards, Rick Trevino invited Selena y Los Dinos to be the opening act for the awards ceremony after
La Sombra declined the offer. Representatives from
CBS Records and newly formed
EMI Latin attended the awards event to scout for new acts. EMI Latin's president,
Jose Behar, wanted to sign Selena y Los Dinos to his label, while CBS was offering twice EMI's offer. Abraham found EMI Latin's proposal appealing due to the potential for a
crossover deal, and he intended for his children to be the first musicians to sign with the company. The production of the group's debut album began in June 1989. The goal of
Selena was to be an introduction to the international
Latin music market, with future sights into an English-language crossover. The band became "a bit more trendier and a little bit cutting-edge" on
Selena with
experimental production and songwriting. It was the first album with any production and songwriting assistance from Astudillo and Ojeda. Astudillo discovered his ability to write songs when he started collaborating with A. B. It wasn't until their initial songwriting session that Astudillo thought he could "do that." Vela and Astudillo began elaborating the
arrangements in their
music production. The track "
Besitos", Astudillo's first contribution to songwriting for the group, marked a significant turning point for the band. The track inspired the group to experiment with
cumbia music in subsequent releases. Astudillo's collaboration with A. B. guided the band towards a more danceable style infused with cumbia influences. This fusion, according to Pamela Colloff of
Texas Monthly, drew elements of
funk and
hip-hop, creating a distinctive and vibrant sound. During the recording sessions for the duet "Amame, Quiereme", Astudillo felt overwhelmed by the professionalism of Los Dinos in the studio, as the group had high expectations for him to match their level. It was Astudillo's first recording session in a studio, and Suzette remarked that Astudillo was noticeably nervous during the sessions. Astudillo was removed from the studio after an unsuccessful session; he expressed his disappointment at not meeting the desired
range. After a friend of his successfully hit the required range and with encouragement, Astudillo retried and met the required demands for the track. Astudillo said his aspirations of recording in a professional studio inspired him not to give up. Writing for the
El Paso Times, Maria Cortes Gonzalez called Astudillo's vocals on the track as being "sexy", and "seductive". "Amame, Quiereme" was nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the
1990 Tejano Music Awards. Astudillo and Abraham wrote "
Sukiyaki"–originally a 1960s Japanese song by
Kyu Sakamoto–into a Spanish-language song. Vela, who intended to be involved in the writing process, acknowledged Astudillo's songwriting skills and Spanish fluency, ultimately preferring Astudillo's approach for "Sukiyaki". Astudillo assisted with the arrangements for "My Love" on
Selena, to which Selena's biographer, Joe Nick Patoksi, interpreted the track as an homage to
Madonna. Astudillo recorded the duet with Selena on "Yo Te Amo" for
Ven Conmigo (1990), which was nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the
1992 Tejano Music Awards. The band opted for a
bridge-interlude structure for "Yo Te Amo", instead of their usual recycled
chord progression, reflecting their growth and evolution. Patoski found that the song's form wasn't distinctly Texan or Mexican but represented international Spanish music that was masked within a slow cumbia framework. Other tracks Astudillo wrote for
Ven Conmigo includes, "
Baila Esta Cumbia", "
Enamorada de Ti", and "
No Quiero Saber". "Baila Esta Cumbia" was
certified 6× platinum (Latin) by the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting 360,000 units consisting of sales and on-demand streaming in the United States. The compositions Astudillo wrote or co-wrote were largely responsible for
Ven Conmigos continued commercial success on the US
Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart, which by March 1992, ranked as the second-most weeks an album has remained on the chart behind
Ana Gabriel by two weeks. The album was selected by the
Library of Congress for preservation in the
United States National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" in 2021.
1992: Solo career with Oxygeno and Entre a Mi Mundo (
pictured in 2020) signed Astudillo to his
Q-Productions label and began managing him during his solo career. Los Dinos supported Astudillo's desire to go solo. With A. B.'s support, they began work on his debut album during their spare time amidst Selena y Los Dinos' busy schedule. EMI Latin and Abraham believed Astudillo had potential as a solo artist. Los Dinos contributed instrumentally to his album, with A. B. co-writing six tracks and producing the record. Music critic for the
Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Rene Cabrera, proclaimed Astudillo as possessing the requisite attributes to succeed as a soloist, noting his vocal abilities harmonized with a polished and commanding stage demeanor. Astudillo and his band Oxygeno began as opening acts to Selena y Los Dinos. Abraham became Astudillo's manager and signed him to his
Q-Productions label with distribution through EMI Latin. Astudillo released his debut album,
Entregate a Mi, in January 1992. By March,
Entregate a Mi was performing well in local markets. The singles, "
Un Hombre Busca Una Mujer", a cover of
Luis Miguel, "Porque Le Gusta Bailar Cumbia", "Nada Nada", and the title track, were receiving heavy airplay in various cities. "Porque Le Gusta Bailar Cumbia" was often the most requested song by fans. Astudillo remained dedicated to Selena y Los Dinos, emphasizing his loyalty to the band. He continued to contribute to songwriting while touring. When asked if he would depart Los Dinos to continue his solo career, Astudillo responded that he would not leave the band, saying, "I'm a Dino, part of the family. This group is solid and I like it here." The band's album,
Entre a Mi Mundo aimed to propel them into the Mexican and
Latin American markets. One of the tracks, "
Como la Flor", penned by Astudillo and A. B., emerged from genuine emotions, despite initial disagreements over its theme. "Como la Flor" became one of the most popular songs recorded by an artist of Mexican descent in the US.
Ilan Stavans credits the rise of Latin pop in the US during the 1990s to the widespread appeal of "Como la Flor". Widely considered to be Selena's
signature song and her "trademark", "Como la Flor" has become a posthumous epithet and
swan song, as well as her most popular recording. It is one of her "most celebrated" songs and has become part of the
Texas musical canon. The RIAA certified "Como la Flor" 9× platinum (Latin). Other songs Astudillo wrote or co-wrote for
Entre a Mi Mundo, include the
Juan Gabriel-inspired "
¿Qué Creías?", "Vuelve a Mí", and the comical "
La Carcacha", drew inspirations from everyday life. "¿Qué Creías?" was certified gold (Latin), while "La Carcacha" was certified 3× platinum (Latin) by the RIAA. According to guitarist
Chris Pérez, Astudillo was supportive of his and Selena's relationship, despite her family and the other member's cautions about how Abraham would take it. Astudillo mentioned that although the band wasn't entirely certain, they had sensed that something was developing between Selena and Pérez. Pérez began dating Selena in secret. In reaction to her emotions for Pérez and their concealed relationship, Selena composed "
Ámame" (1992) and sought lyrical assistance from Astudillo.
1993–94: Separation from Selena y Los Dinos, Como Nadie, and Amor Prohibido Astudillo received the nomination for
Single of the Year for "Un Hombre Busca Una Mujer" as well as
Male Vocalist of the Year at the
1993 Tejano Music Awards. Astudillo and Selena were nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year for "Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti". Cabrera found Astudillo's rendition of "Un Hombre Busca Una Mujer" at the awards ceremony commendable. He noted that Astudillo demonstrated his readiness to embrace challenges, finding the track demanding. Astudillo made his debut appearance on television with his band on the
Johnny Canales Show on November 19, 1993. The following week, his single "Ganar O Perder" debuted at number nine on the indie Tejano Singles music chart in Texas. Music critic for the
El Paso Times, Ramiro Burr named "Ganar O Perder" as one of the "hot cuts on Tejano radio". The single peaked at number three on the music chart on the week ending December 23, 1993. Astudillo began working on this third studio album in January 1994. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year with Selena at the
1994 Tejano Music Awards. In February 1994, Abraham advocated for Astudillo to leave Selena y Los Dinos to focus on his solo career. Despite claims mentioned in the
Del Rio News-Herald about relying on Selena's fame, Astudillo felt proud of his journey with her, asserting his ability to stand on his own merit as a solo artist. Maldonado remarked that witnessing Astudillo's departure from Selena y Los Dinos was difficult, as their onstage chemistry and mutual support had become integral to their performances. Astudillo separated from Oxygeno and embarked on a new name for his band. Former Los Dinos member Jesse Jesus Ybarra joined Astudillo as his guitarist, while Danny Hernandez and Mike Hererra joined as keyboardist, Sernando Orosco joined as his bassist, and Ricky Landeros joined the group as its drummer. At the 1994 BMI Latin Music Awards, Astudillo won Songwriter of the Year. At the Tejano Music Awards, Astudillo and A.B. continued to be snubbed from Songwriter of the Year honors, which was criticized by Cabrera, who credited them as key contributors to Selena's works. Astudillo co-wrote "
Amor Prohibido" and "
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" for Selena's
Amor Prohibido (1994), which became the two most popular tracks off the album. Astudillo remarked that co-writing "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", was one of the best memories he shared with Selena. "Amor Prohibido" peaked at number one on the
Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart the week ending June 11, 1994, and remained atop the chart for nine consecutive weeks, becoming the
most successful US Latin single of 1994. "Amor Prohibido" was certified 7× platinum (Latin) by the RIAA. "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" peaked at number one on October 29, 1994, and was certified 9× platinum (Latin) by the RIAA. Other tracks Astudillo wrote or co-wrote for
Amor Prohibido include "
Techno Cumbia", which was certified platinum (Latin), and "
Si Una Vez" which was certified 3× platinum (Latin). To promote his album
Como Nadie (1993), Astudillo embarked on a tour in
West Texas through
eastern New Mexico. The single, "Piquito de Oro", made its debut at number six on the indie Tejano Singles music chart in Texas on the week ending April 7, 1994. The following tracking week, it peaked at number two. Astudillo's mother, Paz Astudillo, died on April 11, 1994. "Piquito de Oro", as well as the album's other singles; "Vas a Llorar", "Ganar O Perder", and "Acaso No Soy", were receiving considerable airplay in Texas. Maldonado wrote how the track, "Vas a Llorar", utilizes the backdrop of raindrops as a symbol of someone crying. The track debuted at number nine on the indie Tejano Singles music chart on the week ending June 2, 1994, it peaked at number two behind "Amor Prohibido" on the week ending July 3. "Vas a Llorar" reached the top 15 of the US
Radio y Musica magazine's top Latin songs in Florida. Cortes Gonzalez felt that "Vas a Llorar" is a testament to Astudillo's talent as a songwriter and performer. Astudillo's music videos began airing regularly on
Univision. In August 1994, Astudillo began searching for an
accordion player to join his band. Astudillo made his second appearance on the
Johnny Canales Show on July 3, 1994. He also appeared on the music TV program
Padrisimo on December 17, 1994. While Astudillo's initial albums,
Entregate a Mi (1992) and
Como Nadie (1993), did not secure positions on national music charts,
The Odessa American expressed confidence in Astudillo's trajectory, foreseeing his ascent to prominence as one of the top Tejano artists in the industry. The newspaper praised Astudillo for his vocal abilities and songwriting skill, attributing these talents as providing him with a distinct advantage and positioning him as a competitive contender in the Tejano market. The singles off
Como Nadie continued to receive extensive airplay through 1995.
1995: Death of Selena and Como Te Extrano By 1995, Tejano became the fastest-growing Latin genre, with annual revenues topping $100 million. Astudillo collaborated with A. B. on the comical cumbia track "Asi Te Quiero" (1995) for Imagen Latina. On March 31, 1995, Selena was
shot and killed. Astudillo spoke to
KBNA-FM following the news, talking about Selena as he wept on air, as he was still recovering from his mother's death the year prior. He attended her funeral on April 3. Astudillo resumed performing during the
all-star Cinco de Mayo celebration and Selena tribute during the opening of
Sea World Texas. He performed several Selena songs during his tour. Astudillo expressed that he managed her death similarly to others who deal with a loss. Astudillo expressed gratitude for the lessons gleaned from Selena, which facilitated his coping mechanisms. In June 1995, "Amor Prohibido" became the first Spanish-language song to receive the BMI Pop Music Award. In July, Astudillo opened for
Willie Nelson and received a commemorative plaque, along with Selena's family, which was hung at the
Texas State Aquarium's Conservation Cove. Astudillo collaborated with Vela on "Estupido Romantico", which was recorded by
Mazz. The track peaked within the top ten of the Hot Latin Songs chart in September 1995. Astudillo released his third studio album,
Como Te Extrano, on December 1, 1995.
Como Te Extrano marked Astudillo's first album in two years, an unusual lapse by Tejano artists of the time. The album climbed the music charts of
Radio y Musica. The compositions on
Como Te Extrano contain a mixture of pop cumbias and
rancheras, typical of Tejano albums, with production by A. B. Mario Taradell of
The Dallas Morning News, ranked it as one of the best Latin albums of 1995, praising Astudillo as the top composer in the market.
Como Te Extrano sold 50,000 units within its first month, 100,000 units in seven weeks, and reached 200,000 units by January 1997. The sales achievement of
Como Te Extrano solidified Astudillo's presence in the industry. The title track, written by Astudillo, Ojeda, and A. B., was recorded as a tribute to Selena and Astudillo's mother, Paz. The song emanated from Astudillo's emotions and heartfelt sentiments. Astudillo emphasized that the songwriting process was deeply personal, allowing him to express his feelings without pretense. It made its debut at number 15 on the
Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number nine on the Regional Mexican Songs chart, in the week ending October 21, 1995. It peaked at number one on the Regional Mexican Songs chart, on the week ending November 18, 1995, where it remained atop the chart for ten consecutive weeks. "Como Te Extrano" peaked at number two on the Hot Latin Songs chart, on the week ending January 13, 1996. Astudillo aimed to capture universal sentiments of longing and ache in "Como Te Extrano", purposefully omitting Selena and his mother's names to allow listeners to personalize the song. It became Astudillo's signature song. Driven by the emotive titular track,
Como Te Extrano debuted at number eight on the
Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and at number two on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, behind Selena's
Amor Prohibido, on the week ending November 25, 1995. The album maintained its position in the top ten of the Latin music charts for nearly four months.
Como Te Extrano peaked at number six on the Top Latin Albums chart, on the week ending December 16, 1995. Paul Verna from
Billboard magazine, hailed the album for its innovative blend of pop, cumbia, and ranchera styles that pushed the boundaries of Tejano music. Tracks like the rancheras "Si Me Vas a Dejar", "Cayo Una Lagrima", "Cree en Mi", and the pop cumbia "Completamente Enamorado", also received airplay. Despite "Yo Estare a Tu Lado" not gaining recognition, Cabrera praised it as an ode to true love, showcasing Astudillo and Vela's skillful writing and Jesse Garza's emotive performance on the
requinto, which heightened the song's emotional impact.
1996: Pete Astudillo y Grupo Futuro In January 1996, Astudillo opted for a new appearance. He cut his long locks, going against EMI Latin and his label's manager, Lee Garza's advice. Astudillo jokingly cited
piojos (head lice) as the reason for the change. Astudillo was inundated with requests from various musicians seeking material, among them were
Liberación,
Fugitivos, and
Ramón Ayala. Astudillo debuted his band's new name, Grupo Futuro, during his concert at the Pure Country nightclub in
Abilene, Texas. The band lineup remained mostly unchanged, with the addition of accordionist John Saenz. Astudillo co-headlined a sold-out concert in
Odessa, Texas with
Jennifer Peña, drawing a crowd of 18,000. At the
1996 Tejano Music Awards, Astudillo received the nomination for Most Promising Band, Male Vocalist of the Year,
Male Entertainer of the Year, and Song of the Year, along with Vela, for composing "Estupido Romantico". Cabrera anticipated Astudillo to win Most Promising Band, attributing it to the success of "Como Te Extrano", while Burr shared a similar expectation, foreseeing Astudillo's potential to secure several accolades owing to "Como Te Extrano"s chart accomplishments. Astudillo won Most Promising Band, and began to be hailed as the "next big thing" in the Tejano market. By March 1996,
Como Te Extrano was certified platinum (Latin) by the RIAA for shipments of 100,000 units in the U.S., while former
percussionist for Los Dinos, Arturo Meza joined Astudillo's band. At the
1996 Premio Lo Nuestro, Astudillo received the nomination for
Male Regional Mexican Artist of the Year,
New Regional Mexican Artist, as well as
Song of the Year for "Como Te Extrano". Astudillo performed at the
Six Flags'
Music Mill Amphitheatre, becoming the third Tejano act to perform at the theme park, following
Emilio Navaira and Selena. Astudillo recorded "Tu Robaste Mi Corazón", originally performed by Selena and Navaira, for the
Siempre Selena (1996) album. Cabrera perceived the new rendition's inclusion on the album as "sort of for old times sake", while Chris Riemenshneider of the
Austin American-Statesman characterized it as an energetic Tejano track. At the 1996 BMI Latin Music Awards, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", "Si Una Vez", and "Amor Prohibido" received Song of the Year honors. Astudillo tied with
Juan Luis Guerra for Songwriter of the Year. Astudillo expressed that being acknowledged as a songwriter held special significance for him, as he viewed writing as equally crucial to his artistry as performing. On March 9, 1996, Astudillo narrated a
pay-per-view unaired 1991
Market Square concert of Selena y Los Dinos. For the first anniversary of Selena's death, Astudillo scheduled a tribute concert for the singer in
Galveston, Texas along with
Michael Salgado and Arnfulo Gonzales. "Si No Fui Yo", the second single released from
Como Te Extrano, continued the band's success. During
Billboards mid-year recap, Astudillo ranked as the sixth most-popular Regional Mexican Songs chart artist. "Como Te Extrano" ranked as the second-most popular song on the Regional Mexican Songs chart, and the album ranked at number two on the Regional Mexican Albums list, which enabled him to rank as the third-most-popular Regional Mexican Albums artist. Astudillo, along with other artists signed to EMI Latin, was acknowledged for contributing to the label's sustained dominance of the Latin music charts in 1996. "Como Te Extrano" ended 1996 as the fifth most-popular US Latin song as well as the second-most-popular US Regional Mexican Song,
Como Te Extrano was the fourth best-selling Regional Mexican Album, while Astudillo ranked as the sixth most-successful regional Mexican artist of 1996 and the 22nd most-successful Latin songwriter of the year.
1997–2000: Selena, Si Tu No Estas, and ¿Dónde Estás Amor? Astudillo joined the cast of
Selena (1997), a biographical film directed by
Gregory Nava, portraying himself as a dancer and backup vocalist to
Jennifer Lopez's portrayal of Selena. He considered it important to contribute to the film's success, drawing from his personal experiences with Selena to assist his co-stars. Astudillo struggled to contain his emotions during the film's premiere, finding it challenging to watch recreated moments he described as "the happiest moments of my life". Despite inconveniences such as early morning filming schedules as a result of cutting his hair, Astudillo actively promoted the film during a special edition of
El Show de Cristina, and provided live performances to entertain
extras during filming. His inclusion in the film's
Houston Astrodome scene was seen as a recognition of his significance within Los Dinos by the producers. For the
Selena soundtrack, Astudillo recorded the tribute track, "Vivirás Selena" along with
Graciela Beltrán,
Bobby Pulido,
the Barrio Boyzz, Navaira, and Peña. While Riemenschneider found "Vivirás Selena" to have lacked the distinctive Tejano flavor, he still regarded it as a pleasant tribute to Selena. Conversely, Mary Christina Vera, also from the
Austin American-Statesman, disagreed with Riemenschneider's critique. She found the track to be one of the best recordings on the soundtrack, despite its departure from traditional Tejano beats. Vera felt the song was intended to be a slower, toned-down track. At the 1997 BMI Latin Music Awards, Astudillo was awarded Songwriter of the Year. At the
1997 Tejano Music Awards, Astudillo received Song of the Year for "Como Te Extrano", Male Vocalist of the Year, and won Orchestra/Group Album of the Year for
Como Te Extrano, and
Overall Album of the Year nominations. In March 1997, Astudillo released his lead single, "Si Tu No Estas". The track debuted and peaked at number 37 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, on the week ending June 14, 1997. The album,
Si Tu No Estas debuted and peaked at number 37 on the Top Latin Albums chart, on the week ending June 14, 1997. At the 1997 Pura Vida Awards, Astudillo faced logistical issues that delayed the show's commencement as he was slated to co-host alongside
George Rivas. Due to last-minute agreement forms presented by producers, Astudillo and other musicians, including A. B., declined to sign due to excessively restrictive terms. The terms granted rights to the musicians' vocal performances from that night for commercial purposes, without additional compensation to the artists or their labels, violating their label agreement. Tensions escalated backstage as producers issued ultimatums, warning that musicians who refused would not perform that night, resulting in an 11-hour standoff. Eventually, producers relented, allowing musicians to sign only the standard release forms. As a result of the delay, only a few artists could perform that evening. To support
Si Tu No Estas, Astudillo embarked on a tour. The majority of his concerts were done in Texas, while he ventured into Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and Arizona. Astudillo expressed satisfaction with the reception he had received during his tour, noting invitations to return to Georgia and Florida. Devoting eleven months of the year to touring, Astudillo confessed that he finds fulfillment in performance and would feel despondent without it.
Si Tu No Estas failed to replicate the commercial success achieved by its predecessor,
Como Te Extrano. Astudillo believed that
Si Tu No Estas contained material of equal or superior quality, though acknowledged its success did not measure up to that of
Como Te Extrano. He co-wrote with A. B. on "La Chica Sabrosura" (1997) for Lobo IV. Astudillo was nominated for Song of the Year for "Si Tu No Estas", Male Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Tejano Crossover Song of the Year for "No Lo Niego" at the 1998 Tejano Music Awards. Astudillo was featured on
Puro Tejano en Vivo along with
La Tropa F on March 25, 1998, and released a promotional jingle for the
Laredo National Bank. He participated in
VH1's
Behind the Music episode that highlighted Selena on March 29. In September 1998, Astudillo released his lead single, "¿Dónde Estás Amor?". Describing it as a romantic cumbia infused with accordion melodies, Astudillo highlighted the album's diverse offerings. Alongside
norteño-style tracks reimagined in his distinctive manner, the album features mariachi compositions and a cumbia mariachi number. Astudillo aimed to cater to a broad audience, believing the album's varied content would resonate with younger and older listeners. He expressed his desire to write songs that defy industry standards, prioritizing songs that did well with fans over commercial material the label preferred. On April 20, 1999,
¿Dónde Estás Amor? was released, and at the
1999 Tejano Music Awards, Astudillo received the nomination for Best Mariachi Song by a Tejano Artist for "No Lo Niego". Astudillo performed during the 41st annual
Feria de Las Flores pageant on August 12, 2000, held at the
Selena Auditorium within the
Bayfront Convention Center. Astudillo became troubled by the lackluster sales of
¿Dónde Estás Amor?, despite his belief in its quality. He acknowledged that sales were disappointing, leading to concerns about future sales, his performance, and overall direction.
2001–2002: Departure from Q-Productions, founding of Peace Rock Records Astudillo decided to part ways with Q-Productions in 2001 due to "creative differences" regarding his career trajectory. He revealed that discussions with EMI Latin indicated a softening Tejano market, and the label suggested that he had already passed his professional peak. Negotiations with EMI Latin and Q-Productions failed to yield agreeable terms. Astudillo founded Peace Rock Records, an extension of Peace Rock Publishing. Astudillo remained active, remarking, "I'm a hands-on kind of guy", preferring not to await opportunities idly. Astudillo brainstormed ideas but failed to garner financial support from record executives who noted Tejano's decline. Astudillo lamented the genre's perceived stagnation, deeming it "not where it's at". Astudillo ranked among the most appealing musicians in the Tejano market following his first independently released album,
El Rey del Ritmo, in August 2001. Astudillo characterized the album as a fusion of diverse rhythms rooted in Tejano influences. The
Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Cabrera described the album's material as having a musically varied sound. The title track climbed the
Radio y Musica charts and received considerable airplay on Latin music stations across the country. Cabrera described the title track as a vibrant dance offering with robust percussion, complemented by an accordion melody and Astudillo's signature vocals. Astudillo began experimenting with
vallenato-influenced tracks in his Tejano recordings, following the footsteps of other Tejano artists. By 2002, Astudillo took a hiatus from music to care for his aging father. Additionally, he noticed a decline in bookings for his performances, which prompted him to reassess his career direction. He produced singer Sesi's
Chiquita Pero Picosa (2001) album. Astudillo and A. B. wrote, "Yo No Fui" (2002), a song that revolves around a
womanizer who habitually makes excuses for his actions, for Big Circo. The song merges norteño cumbia rhythms with the rock-infused vocals of accordionist and vocalist Big Boy. Writing for
The Monitor, Joe Zepeda believed that the track would seamlessly blend in with the songs during Tejano's golden age in the early 1990s. Astudillo recorded "Eclipse", a duet with Denisse, on her debut album in 2002.
2003–2009: Enfoque Musical and Selena ¡Vive! On July 9, 2003, Astudillo announced plans to release his first album in over two years, emphasizing quality over frequency and aiming to reconnect with the Mexican music market. Astudillo remarked that the project had blended romantic cumbias, pop, Colombian influences, and rock elements. He wanted the album to showcase his diverse musical passions and wanted to target a younger audience. Astudillo initiated negotiations with
Universal Music Group,
Univision, and
Sony for a distribution deal for his album. In 2005, Astudillo became a co-host for
Enfoque Musical, an entertainment TV program broadcast in
South Texas. Astudillo took part in the all-star televised
Selena ¡Vive!, a benefit concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of Selena's death, where he performed "Como Te Extrano". Juan Martin Ovalle of the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram observed that Astudillo performed the track with full intensity. Olivia Ruiz of
The Fresno Bee and Rogelio Olivas of the
Tucson Citizen, regarded Astudillo's performance of "Como Te Extrano" as one of the most emotionally charged moments of the concert. Ruiz noted that Astudillo's rendition moved those in attendance to tears, including Selena's mother, Marcela. Astudillo was the
master of ceremonies for the 2006 Little Miss Fitness held in McAllen.
2010–present: Ruido Añejo and Pete Astudillo y Tekno-Mex By 2010, Astudillo was the lead singer for his
rock en español band Ruido Añejo. The group consisted of Astudillo, Ojeda, bassist Adriel Ramirez, guitar-producer Manuel "Meatt" Riojas, guitarist Ruben Rea, and drummer Frankie Diaz de Leon. The group's debut album,
Salvación, was released in 2013. It took influences from
Guns N' Roses,
Matchbox Twenty,
Train,
Bon Jovi, and the Chris Perez Band. The album featured a revamped version of "Como Te Extrano" as well as a 1980s
power ballad rendition of "Como la Flor", and the ballad "Quiero Llorar". Ruido Añejo strategically decided to debut their softer material at the 2013 Tejano Music Awards as a means to appeal to the traditional audience. They were concerned that performing the heavier songs might deter them. Astudillo participated as one of the judges for
TeleFutura's
Buscando a la Doble de Selena (2010) competition show. He performed during the first annual
Fiesta de la Flor in May 2016, and in March 2017. Astudillo collaborated on the
Christmas music song "Que Empiece La Fiesta" (2015) with
Stefani Montiel, Ricky Valenz, and Raul Sanchez. Astudillo recorded "Se Que Pensabas" with Grupo Quemado for their album,
A Tribute to Joe "Wajo" Carmona (2017). Astudillo introduced his new band, Pete Astudillo and Tekno-Mex, during the October 2017 annual Bootfest in
Victoria, Texas. The group consisted of Ojeda, Ricky Landeros, Juan Garza, Sonja de la Paz Garcia, and Diego Garcia.
Sunny Sauceda recorded "Por La Madrugada" (2018) featuring Astudillo. In 2019, Astudillo released "El Rey del Ritmo" which featured Erick Sanchez. Astudillo recorded a duet with
Isabel Marie on "Camina Conmigo" for her
Sigueme (2019) album. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, Tekno Mex canceled their March 2020 show at
San Antonio's
Aztec Theatre and indefinitely suspended touring. Astudillo was slated to perform at
Selena XXV, a live tribute concert that was scheduled to be held at the
Alamodome and broadcast on Univision in April 2020. The concert was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2018,
Netflix green-lit
Selena: The Series (2020-21), a two-part limited drama series based on Selena's life. In March 2020,
Julio Macias was cast to portray Astudillo in the series. Following the release of
Selena: The Series, which spotlighted Astudillo and Ojeda's origins, the
Laredo Morning Times asserted that Astudillo "helped put Laredo on the map". "Pelón", written by Astudillo and A. B. for Boyz of Kumbia, peaked at number 38 on
Billboards
Regional Mexican Songs chart in April 2021. By May 2021, Astudillo had written over 100 songs. In 2021, he released "Separaditos", which was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Astudillo, who promoted the track through a
TikTok dance challenge, the song contained a positive message of hope. The track features cumbia rhythms with
reggaeton and
electric guitar by Garcia. In 2024, Astudillo released the
corrido "Esta Es Pa' Mi Raza", after realizing he had yet to release a song about his family and upbringing. The track discusses the struggles of the
American Dream and the sacrifices Astudillo's parents had made for him. On July 11, 2025, Pena released "Wakala", co-written with Astudillo. == Artistic style ==