Walter Suhr

Awards and accolades

As a songwriter, Walter Suhr has won a number of awards including: First place winner: 9th annual Billboard Songwriting Contest (Latin category); First Place Winner: Carnavalero de Oro in Tenerife, Spain (2006); Second Place Winner: Los Compositores (2010); Finalist: John Lennon Songwriting Contest (2005), Festival de las Islas Canarias (2005), Finalist: Unisong Top 20 (2007), Honorary Mention Winner: Billboard World Song Contest (2010).

He’s written commercial jingles including the Spanish campaign song for Hillary Clinton in 2008. He also co-wrote and performed the national Christmas campaign for Wal-Mart "Navidad en Familia" for which he won an ADDY award.

He has shared the stage with a number of international artists including: Elvis Crespo, Kumbia Kings, Gloria Trevi and others. Mango Punch! was also chosen to perform at an intimate private gathering for Latin superstar Luis Miguel.

Biography

With his signature Panama hat and a wide smile, Walter Suhr leads multifaceted band Mango Punch!, equal parts Latin rock, pop, and tropical.

Suhr is originally from Guatemala, and studied music in Houston. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Music and Computer Science.

'Although I started to study music relatively late in life (when I was 20), my love of music started at an early age,' Suhr says. 'I've heard a story that on my first Christmas—when I was 11 months old—my grandmother gave me three 45 rpm records as a present. They say that I completely forgot all the other toys and presents and even went to sleep holding my the records.'

Suhr was exposed to Afro-Cuban artists that his dad was listening to: Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, Orquesta Aragón, Bola de Nieve.

'In my teenage years I listened almost exclusively to American and British pop and rock: Elton John, James Taylor, etc.,' says Suhr. 'When artists like Juan Luis Guerra and Gloria Estefán exploded into the music scene, I was once again fully drawn to Latin music.'

When he formed Mango Punch!, 'I was certain that I wanted a band that would integrate the influences that I had been exposed to," he adds. "My record collection can be labeled as 'eclectic' or 'schizophrenic.' I'm OK with either label.'

'Although it may sound cliché, Houston has been the land of opportunity for me,' explains Suhr. 'I was able to carve out a niche for Mango Punch! because we developed a personality that celebrates many of the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the people living in the city.'

Although Suhr says he's proud of his Guatemalan heritage, 'I now consider Houston my home.'