Puro Conjunto

Music Review and News

Conjunto of South Texas Magazine the stories, the pictures, the music. Fall 2011-2

Where did Conjunto Music Began? El Valle? San Anto?

Where did conjunto music began? In the Valley? San Antonio? Corpus? We say it was right here, in the Rio Grande Valley down the road near a place called, La Paloma, Texas home of theFather of Conjunto, the late Narciso Martinez. Conjunto enthusiasts from the San Antonio area have printed a t-shirt that reads, San Antonio Conjunto Capital of the World! They claim that Santiago Jimenez, Sr. started it all there! So where did conjunto start? We really dont think this is important because this all debatable. But it really doesnt matter because this music is mixtures of many cultures and sounds and imitations of many other genres and races including Mexican, European, Spanish, and English, all into one. Add of them together,what do you get? Tejano conjunto! So, where did it start? It doesnt matter..whats important is that its still HERE! This reminds me of a comic strip on Wizard of ID, Which came first? The polka or the accordion? We are going to list a few of the conjunto pioneers most of which have left this world but left a legacy in conjunto music: Santiago Jimenez, Sr., San Antonio; Juan Lopez, Alice; Pedro Ayala, Donna; Narciso Martinez, La Paloma; Ruco Martinez, San Benito; Tony de la Rosa, Riviera; Paulino Bernal, Raymondville; Jimmy Morgan, Brownsville; Enrique Vela, Kingsville; Ruben Vela, Santa Rosa; And many more. Sure you can add a few more names to this list, can you? Just keep it conjunto, please!

La Cuchi Guapa Cumbia con Los Garcias

Garcia Brothers, under the leadership of the old

man, Jose Garcia, Sr. on the drums and on the stage, continue to rock the conjunto world with their work directly out of Eagle Pass, Texas. This the cover of one of the latest recordings and additions to the group since the passing of the late Jimmy Garcia, accordionist, a few years ago. In this album, mixed and mastered at Hacienda Records by Rick Garcia, Jose Garcia, Drums and vocals; Joey Garcia, Jr., bass and lead vocals; Primo Garcia, bajo sexto; Antonio Luis, accordion; with special musical guest, Javier Torres and Michael Gutierrez. Los Cuatro Vatos Locos Mis Locos Disvarrios is the name of this cd. It includes an Alejandro Perez song, Aguanta Corazon, plus eleven more tunes and cumbias, al estilo vatos locos. The band was recently featured on the public television show, Acordeones de Tejas TV Show in the Rio Grande Valley.

Be a part of the Award Selection Committee

We heard some commentary about the way we (STCA) go about in selecting award winners. Want to learn how we select winners? Join us in our all volunteer work. We will gladly have you work with us. Contact us at our MESSAGE BOARD on www.conjunto.org. Lupe Saenz, Jr. Editor, Publisher. lupesnz@yahoo.com

MEET THE STCA BOARD

Whos who in the ZOO? STCA officers for 2011-2012 include (front seating l-r) Polo Trejo, Secretary; Joe Martin, Parl; (Standing, 1-r) Ben Gonzalez, treasurer; Mando Mejia, VP, and Lupe Saenz, President. We congratulate all conjuntos who were at the 13th Annual COY Awards with us this past summer and thank all who support conjunto music in South Texas. Gracias a todos!

Richard Davila, EL GUERO POLKAS received a

plaque in recognition for his 50 years in radio in San Antonio on KEDA Jalapeno Radio. Guerro Polkas is no longer with the radio station but there is talk he is coming back to another station in San Antonio. You just cant keep a good man down!

At any dance, there could an orchestra playing Tejano music, and the people do not get up to dance. But sometime, around 10 pm, the band lets the accordion player, play Atononilco and everybody gets up to dance. Its just conjunto fact that the accordion will make anyone get up and dance. Volunteers for KMBH Public Television during conjunto night STCA and KMBH TV thanks all volunteers. Thank you, friends.

Cuando Escuches este vals, Has un recuerdo de me

<<<<Out of Austin, Texas, state capital, comes Susan Torres with her accordion and great singing voice. Susan loves to play with different conjunto groups and mingle with conjunto bands as she contributes her singing talents and accordion playing performances. This photo was taken New Years 2010 at El Gallito Ballroom in San Carlos, Texas (Rio Grande Valley) during a dance where Los Hermanos Layton with the late Benny Layton made their annual event a performance. Susan was invited to participate with Los Laytons where she sang to delight of the audience, Cuando Escuches Este Valz After she sang her song, Susan attributed her love for conjunto music and for this song to her grandparents whom she says used to sing this song.

Gilbert Rodriguez, past POLKA DAWG President at 2007 STCA COY Awards accepts for San Antonio recipients.
Hector and Margie, known throughout San Antonio for their tv show, San Antonio de Noche present awards at the STCA Awards,

Hector Via-Via Alaniz Back on KEDA Radio

Hector Alaniz, aka Hector Via Via from San Antonio is back on KEDA radio. He went after the transferred ownership and management and moved to another location. The station is no longer located on South Flores Street in San Antonio but in another location. Hector has moved to the new location with his new program, Saturdays, 2-7 pm on 1540 am Radio KEDA. Margie, his partner and camera assistant for the tv show, San Antonio De Noche is excited for him and says that now Hector can return to his normal life, working as a bus driver during the week and doing his shout-outs on KEDA radio on Saturdays. We talked to Hector about this, he said, I am really thankful the management of KEDA for believing in me and giving me another chance at what I love to do best radio. Gracias a Claro Communications. His television show, assisted by Margie, is also continuing and can be seen on the San Antonio public access channel twice a months. For information, contact Margie. ES TODO! Conjunto music has been part of San Antonio life for many years. Thanks to KEDA, formerly owned and operated by the Davila family, kept the genre alive and now the new company that owns the station will continue this tradition for the conjunto community with Hector being part of this tradition.

City of Edinburg 2010 Walk of Fame Star recipients, (l-r) Los Aguilares, Giblerto Perez, Gilberto Lopez, Paulino Bernal and Freddy Martinez. Gloria Cantu,San Benito, Texas the young lady accordion player started as a conjunto accordionistist. Recently, we havent heard what shes up to. Hello, Gloria. We like this picture.

Edgar Vasque, bass, and Tony Saenz, performed at th 6 Los Veteranos event in Robstown a few years th ago. Linda Escobar is already planning the 13 .

Jaime de Anda (LOS CHAMACOS) takes time to pose for a picture with Lupe Saenz, STCA.

Pickup Trucks and Texas (CONJUNTO). Tailgate in this FORD truck in the Rio Grande Valley says it all MAKE IT CONJUNTO! But make it, PURO CONJUNTO!

PURO CONJUNTO MUSIC REVIEWOn LINE,

is written, edited, and published by Lupe Saenz, Jr., 308 Weslaco, Texas 78596. Permission to download and print is hereby given to anyone who wants to have a hard copy of this publication. Send your conjunto articles and pictures to lupesnz@yahoo.com for the next issue which will be out in about two weeks. www.conjunto.org is the website to clik. (All photos in this issue by Lupe Saenz)

If its not conjunto, its NOT Tejano!