Meet Ernest Olivarez
Ernest Olivarez is an award-winning author, songwriter, playwright, and singer.
A first-generation Mexican-American on his mother’s side and fourth-generation on his father’s, Ernest has proudly celebrated his cultural roots throughout his creative journey.
He has been happily married to his wife, Melisa, since 1992. Together, they have five children—Michael, Isaiah, Luke, Aaron, Nichole, and Alexis, their angel in heaven—and three beautiful grandchildren: Delilah, Isabella, and Alinah.
By day, Ernest works as an electrical engineer. In his free time, he dedicates himself to his greatest passions: spending time with family, writing and producing stories and music, and volunteering at his church.
In 2024, we dedicated much of our time to developing a new children’s book, Adventures in Mexico. The goal was to take Jose the Reindeer beyond Christmas and into the vibrant world of the Mexican biosphere. With all-new characters and friends, Jose is sure to have some unforgettable adventures!
This inspired the creation of a new musical stage play to accompany the book. The songs are catchy, charismatic, and full of fun— bringing the characters to life as they sing about tacos, the jungle in Mexico, and even the importance of not being a poop fly! Have you ever seen a green orchid bumble bee?
In 2025, Luke Olivarez will be joining his father to bring Jose the Reindeer to life through a brand-new puppet show. He’ll be providing voiceovers for both puppet and animated characters.
On the music side of things, Ernest works with his sister Sandra on an original Spanish Christmas album. He is also producing a silly kids’ song Album to go with his Jose the Reindeer box set. Now, with each box set, you will get three entire music albums.
Type 2 Diabetes
Living with Type 2 diabetes isn’t just numbers on a screen—it’s a daily balance of food, movement, and mindset. For me, it’s been a journey of learning, stumbling, and discovering hacks that actually make life better (yes, even with a Cinnabon in hand).
Here, I share my real story—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the honest conversations I’ve had with friends who are walking the same road. Think of it like a mix of diary, podcast, and TikTok-style fun: short videos, candid chats, and practical takeaways.
If you’re curious about how I manage, or just want to know you’re not alone, come along. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, community, and finding joy in the middle of it all.