HOUSTON -- News of Tejano superstar Emilio Navaira's bus crash spread quickly through the state, Mexico and the music industry Sunday.

The bus had only traveled a few miles from the night club before crashing on the West Loop early Sunday morning. Navaira is in critical condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

His was the voice that launched the first Tejano Day at the Houston Rodeo.

He brought record crowds.  He crossed over into American country music, and he won a Grammy in 2003.

From Dallas to Mexico City, Emilio is a household name, which is why you’ll find fans like Jesus Gonzalez holding vigil outside the hospital.

“Yeah it is sad; it is sad, because it was a role model the way I describe him,” Gonzalez said. “I mean a role model.”

His name was the talk of Houston Spanish radio Sunday night.

“We are getting calls left and right from all the lovely people that love Emilio,” Estereo Latino DJ Fernando Hernandez said.

With his clean-cut style and upbeat music, he’s been described as the George Strait of Tejano Music.

Selena was the torchbearer for Tejano in the 90’s.  After her tragic death Emilio kept it alive.

“He’s a big name,” San Antonio fan Bobby Cuellar said. “He’s up there with Selena, David Lee Garza, Ram Herrera. … But he’s got a lot of deep fans.”

Fans from his hometown of San Antonio are now waiting to hear how the wreck happened and if the man who helped bring new life to Tejano music will win the fight for his own.

“We have him in our prayers, and hang in there,” Hernandez said. “And hopefully we’ll see him soon on stage."