As bandleader of a solid, hardworking conjunto for over 40 years, San Antonio's Rudy Garcia was truly ahead of his time. He wrote and registered his own songs. He managed himself and played all over Texas. He had his own record label called Godfather records. His sound was unique.
Join Rancho Alegre on KOOP Radio for a special interview with bajo sexto master Tomas Vasquez. We traveled down to the Rio Grande Valley last month and had a great time talking with Tomas about his life, his career with Freddie Gomez y Los Dinamicos and what he's been up to lately.
It's an honor for us to broadcast his story, in his own words and voice, along with rare and classic recordings, on FM radio in Austin.
Please note: This interview is almost entirely in Spanish, and we will try to have a transcript available and post online as soon as it is available here on ranchoalegreradio.org.
Listen to Rancho Alegre's interview with San Antonio's own Los Thunderbirds. We had a great time talking with Abel Hernandez, Ray Flippo, Joe Zimmerle and Tony Vasquez.
The group stopped by the KOOP studios just after Christmas 2015 and we got to know the guys and what the future holds for them.
Steve "Rat" Silvas, Erika Santana and Robby Garza of Cañonazo dropped by the KOOP studio to talk about what the red-hot Tejano band has been up to, their latest CD, as well as upcoming projects.
This is the audio archive of the actual KOOP broadcast with host Piper LeMoine. Unfortunately KOOP's license does not permit posting archives with recorded music.
Years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting and talking with brothers Raphael and Paquito Rodriguez of Los A-T Boyz, and we've been friends ever since. We were struck by their great attitudes and giving spirit, and continued to notice that their band was always available for any kind of benefit or jamaica or wherever else they were needed.
During that interview, we learned that Paquito had already battled and survived neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects children. Unfortunately, Paquito finds himself fighting cancer again.
How about another Rancho Alegre good time at the Moose?! You've been asking, and we listened.
We're super excited to announce a special one-night only conjunto event! See conjunto how it's supposed to be experienced! Live and in your face in a family dancehall setting.
Many thanks to Austin American-Statesman columnist Nancy Flores for a great article on us first on her regular blog, Cultura en Austin, but also in the August 24, 2015 print edition.
You can read the entire article here and also subscribe to her blog for more columns on Austin Latino culture.
"When Rancho Alegre Radio hit the airwaves on KOOP 91.7 FM last August, it brought Tejano and Conjunto music back to FM radio in Austin.
"We’d been disappointed for years that you couldn’t find Tejano music on FM radio here,” says Rancho Alegre co-host Piper LeMoine. Austin lost the last of its Tejano music radio stations in late 2005, which sparked a fight to get the music back on the airwaves. In 2008, Tejano music returned to the air and was soon simulcast in both FM and AM. However, today Austin has only one Tejano music station — KTXZ 1560 AM— after the FM station switched formats.
"Rather than complain about it, we saw an opportunity to change that,” LeMoine says. She and co-host Baldomero “Frank” Cuellar went through the KOOP radio training and launched the hour-long program, which now airs every Monday at 9 a.m."
On Monday, August 17th, we're beginning our "Rancho Alegre Artist of the Month" series with a special salute to the one and only Bernardo y Sus Compadres on our show on KOOP.
On Monday, June 29, Rancho Alegre on KOOP aired this special recorded interview with legendary singer Beatriz Llamas.
Jolly Ranchers, we need your help. Rancho Alegre has been nominated in the Loose Cannon category for Tejano/Conjunto music advocacy on the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin ballot! We would appreciate the support in any category, as would the rest of Austin's Tejano industry!
