No matter the setting—cheery cumbias, grito-embellished rancheras, raucous country and western—Emilio Navaira crossed borders with ease. Adored as “The Garth Brooks of Tejano” north of the Rio Grande, his jovial music filled the mid-'90s void left by the tragic loss of fellow Latin star Selena. Influenced by both conjunto king Ramón Ayala and country legend Willie Nelson, the sunny accordion jams of Emilio and his energetic, precise backup band Grupo Rio charmed American country fans with a sleek brand of honky-tonk.