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Jaguares meets SPI music students Grammy Soundcheck session puts artist in touch with locals By Ryan Henry Photo by Ryan Henry Students listen as Saul Hernandez, left, and other members of Jaguares talk about the music industry during a Grammy Soundcheck at Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark during the South Padre International Music Festival Friday night on South Padre Island. Students listen as Saul Hernandez, left, and other members of Jaguares talk about the music industry during a Grammy Soundcheck at Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark during the South Padre International Music Festival Friday night on South Padre Island. Photo by Ryan Henry--> if ("" != "") { document.writeln ('Watch related video'); } -->--> SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - Spanish rock group Jaguares took their name through the inspiration of one of the member’s dreams, Port Isabel students learned Friday night.

At a Grammy Soundcheck session, a chance for musically minded students to meet one of the top acts of the South Padre International Music Festival, students asked the rockers about their career, lifestyles, travels, family, work habits and passion for music.

The conversation covered much of the musicians rise to fame and subsequent successes. When asked, Jaguares member Saul Hernandez told the students his favorite career moment. He was singing before a crowd of 80,000 fans before the group’s first album was ever released, and yet the fans were singing along to the songs they wrote, he said.

The band also had advice for the teenagers.

“Always try to listen to your inner voice,” bass player Marco Renteria said.

The session, conducted in English and Spanish, gave the Port Isabel seniors and juniors a “chance of a lifetime,” some students said.

“It was a great experience to have the band three feet away from you,” said Chris Helms, a senior, who wants to have a career in music production. “There were great questions and a lot of energy.”

Senior Maria G. Hernandez was also pleased with the opportunity

“This was my first time meeting famous people,” she said. “They said if you want something, to really try your best.”