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Rick De La Rosa has conjunto running through his veins. The family name alone evokes the sights and sounds of his father Alfredo, his uncles Tony and Adan, and his aunt Eva, and their rich history building and dominating the conjunto scene for over fifty years.
The “King of the Brown Sound” is a fitting nickname for Little Joe Hernandez. The music he has played over his storied career has blended together everything from mariachi, orquesta, conjunto, country, doo-wop, Sinatra-style standards, jazz, rock, salsa, and whatever else sounds and feels right, creating a sound that has resonated with Chicanos for over 50 years.
Siggno is probably the hottest band in Tejano music right now. They won Best Album at this year’s Tejano Music Awards for their most recent album, Lo Que Me Dejaste, and front man Jesse Turner took home back to back Best Male Vocalist honors in 2011 and 2012. AND his duet with Elida Reyna, “Juntos Hasta Morir,” earned him a share of Song of the Year and Best Vocal Duo as well.
What can you say about Mingo Saldivar? Dubbed “The Dancing Cowboy” because of his inimitable, engaging, passionate performance style, Mingo has been entertaining audiences all over the world (including Africa!) for over 50 years.
Most recently, he was recognized by with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tejano Music Awards, just one of the many accolades and honors he has received over an amazing career.
Chano Cadena is a Texas music legend, pure and simple. Recognized for his longevity and technical skill, he is admired by fans and colleagues alike. A hall of famer several times over, he has played and toured with all of the legends, even a very young Ruben Naranjo back in the early 1960s.
As the traditional audience ages, everyone’s talking about how to get young people to listen to Conjunto and Tejano music. Kyle, Texas, has an answer with Conjunto Romo.
Meet Navor Romo…bassist, bandleader and vocalist. Together, he and his sons Cedrick (accordion/vocals), Noe (bajo sexto) and JJ (drums), are making their mark in Conjunto music. And, in the case of Noe and JJ, juggling high school at the same time.
Our trip to the valley was remarkable, no question. And it was the starting point for everything that has happened so far in 2012, especially our festival.
Our interview with Gilberto Perez was just as rich in conjunto history as we imagined it would be. But we didn’t expect him to have a conjunto museum behind his house…
As most of you know, Rancho Alegre hit the road in October 2011 to interview some of our favorite artists in San Antonio, Alice, Robstown, then Edinburg, McAllen and Mercedes. It was an unbelievable trip that we will always remember. Especially our visit with Roberto Pulido…
Back in the 80s, Jesse y Beto Duran y Los Aguilillas had a massive hit with El Soltero Apasionado, a waltz that took them all over Texas and was frequently requested (and graciously played) multiple times per show. With various rhythm sections, Jesse and Beto played together for 45 years before retiring 7 years ago due to health issues.
During our interview tour of the Valley in October, we stopped in Alice, Texas, and talked with Ruben Rivera, a former member of Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers and Los Nobles. He now brings his beautiful voice to his own conjunto, Ruben Rivera y R.A., and frequently collaborates with Jody Farias.