   They called her the Lark of the Border. Lydia Mendoza was the
first star of recorded Tejano, Texas-Mexican music. She became a
sensation in the 1940s and 1950s, taking her 12-string guitar
and her clear, heartfelt voice throughout Latin America. She
died three years ago at the age of 91, nearly forgotten.  John
Burnett has the story of Lydia Mendoza, one of NPR's 50 Great
Voices.  JOHN BURNETT: The Del Bravo Record Shop on the west
side of San Antonio is one of the coolest record stores in
America. It specializes in Tejano and Norteno music, the soul
music of Mexican-Texas. It's also a living museum - they still
sell LPs and styluses. It's only fitting then that the Del Bravo
Record Shop would be a shrine to Lydia Mendoza, Tejano music's
first superstar.  Mr. SALOME GUTIERREZ (Owner, Del Bravo Record
Shop): (Foreign language spoken)  BURNETT: So this is the
12-string guitar of Lydia Mendoza.  Mr. GUTIERREZ: (Foreign
language spoken)  BURNETT: Del Bravo's owner is 79-year-old
Salome Gutierrez, himself a per