Rancho Alegre

"El Gallo" Dez is a brand new voice in Tejano music who is just now embarking on his first adventure in the genre. Luckily for him, he is already off to a great start, having been discovered by Tejano music icon Shelly Lares, who is producing his music, mentoring him, and guiding him on this path.

We caught up with the California native on a beautiful summer day here in Austin and got to know more about his background and what brought him to this new chapter in his life and music.

Stick around after the interview and check out his debut single, "Rogando Por Tu Amor," which he co-wrote with Shelly and released on her Shellshock Records 3 label. Be sure to look for him, Shelly Lares, and Shellshock Records 3 on all social media channels.

And be sure to subscribe to this podcast, and as we migrate all of the long-form in-depth intimate interviews with legendary, veteran, and up-and-coming artists that we’ve been doing for over a decade over to this platform.

Thank you for your support - as always!

Jimmy Gonzalez passed away 6/6/2018. Thanks to an assist from Freddie and Marc Martinez, we recorded this interview at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Corpus Christi in December 2012.

Most Tejano fans know where they were when they heard that Jimmy Gonzalez, bandleader of Grupo Mazz, passed away. We happened to be on an interview trip to San Antonio that day along with our friend and board member Joe Olvera of lovemytejano.com. In the days that followed, there was wall-to-wall coverage on every Tejano music radio station across the country, with fans and fellow musicians calling in with their remembrances of him. He was beloved and earned every accolade and every tear shed in the days after this death.

This interview is not just for Tejano music fans, but for music fans in general, as Jimmy had a great story. He tells of the humble beginnings of Grupo Mazz in Brownsville in the late 70s, their rise to stardom in the 80s, and the devastating breakup with Joe Lopez in the late 90s that left Jimmy broken and lost, wondering what to do with his life.

When he chose to get back into music, no record labels would give him a chance except for Freddie Martinez and his label, Freddie Records. With that opportunity to shine, Jimmy and his new version of Grupo Mazz earned 7 Grammy Awards and became one of the most bankable and popular Tejano groups from 2000 to his death in 2018.

Despite what Baldo says in the interview, we didn't include any music in this episode because thankfully Jimmy's music lives on, available on all digital streaming platforms and his son Mike Gonzalez is carrying forth his father's legacy with his own group, Mike Gonzalez and The Iconiczz. We encourage you to cruise around your favorite streaming platform or YouTube and get a taste of the sound Jimmy created for Grupo Mazz. Driven by synthesizer and guitar, the sound of Grupo Mazz was the epitome of the new sound of Tejano that rose in popularity in the late 1970s as the brass, horn-driven sound of the Orquesta Tejana became less popular and bandleaders opted for synthesizers as a cheaper alternative to horn players.

As with most of our interviews, this is one of, and perhaps the only long-form, intimate, and thoughtful interviews with Jimmy Gonzalez, and we hope you enjoy learning more about the legend in his own words and voice.

Special thanks to Thomas Hernandez of Austin's own Turntable Records and Tommy DeLeon for joining us on this Rancho Alegre adventure way back when.

Beatriz Llamas, La Paloma Del Norte, passed away yesterday, May 15, 2023. This interview was recorded at her home in San Antonio in June 2015.

Known as La Paloma Del Norte, Beatriz was the first female recording artist on the storied Tejano record label Bego Records. Her strong, passionate voice, ever-present cat-eye makeup, and engaging stage presence made an indelible impression on Tejano and Conjunto fans all over Texas and beyond beginning in the early 1960s.

Conducted by our own Baldomero "El Parrandero" Cuellar, the interview is entirely in Spanish. But, even if you don't understand the language, her zest for life and her personality shine through and it's just fun to listen to. You can especially tell how absolutely smitten he was just talking with her. We also have a passable English transcription available on our website.  

At the 2015 Tejano-Conjunto Festival en San Antonio, Beatriz delighted the crowd with a special performance, backed up by the iconic Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto Siempre.

After (but not because of) our interview in 2015, some pretty amazing things happened for Beatriz. With help from San Antonio's Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, Beatriz and her musical sisters Perla Tapatia, Rita Vidaurri and Blanca Rodriguez were featured in a documentary called Las Tesoros de San Antonio: A Westside Story, and performed all over the country. In 2019, as the surviving members of the group, Blanca and Beatriz were honored with the prestigious NEA National Heritage Fellowship and performed in Washington, DC.

Music played in this episode:

Dios Me Libre - Los Fabulosos Cuatro with Beatrice [sic] Llamas

Hambre - Los Fabulosos Cuatro with Beatrice Llamas

Caso Perdido - Beatriz Llamas with Los Dos Gilbertos

Distancia Maldita - Beatriz Llamas

Festival Coordinators Piper LeMoine and Monica Castilleja discuss the 2023 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival. Audio taken from our Facebook Live broadcast on 4/24/23, so it might be a little choppy.

Complete information available at https://www.ranchoalegre.org/festival

For any questions about the festival, please email us at info@ranchoalegre.org.

Recorded in July 2011 at El Torreón Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas.

Joe Gonzales passed away today in San Antonio at the age of 61. He was known in the Conjunto world as "El Gambler" because of his time playing bass with Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers in the later years of Ruben's career, as well as his friendship with the beloved legend. After Ruben's passing, Joe began his own group and switched over to accordion and primera voz, remaining faithful to Ruben's signature style and the distinctive Alice, Texas Conjunto sound.

In this interview, get to know this most humble man with a puro Conjunto heart and hear his story in his own words and voice. The interview is in the type of Spanglish commonly spoken in South Texas, effortlessly switching between Spanish and English in one sentence.

Tracks played:

Aborezco La Vida

Locos Disvarios

Las Ilusiones

Te Quiero Con La Vida – w/ Ricky Naranjo

Prietita Mia

La Piedrecita – w/ Ruben Naranjo

Tributo a Ruben Naranjo

Le Gusta Bailar Cumbia

Ya No Llores – Jo Ann Gonzales y Los Lowriders

Popurri – Tu Buen Camino, Preso Sin Delito, Las Puertas De La Carcel

Mi Casa Nueva

Your Cheating Heart

Mi Barrio

El Reniego

Consuelito

Alice Polka

Recorded in June 2019 at Austin Central Library

In June 2019, Rancho Alegre finally caught up to Little Miss Dynamite herself, Shelly Lares. We had been after her since we first started doing interviews in 2011 and the stars finally aligned and our schedules finally allowed for us to finally meet.

And let's just say that the award-winning, hard-working musician, vocalist, entrepreneur, producer, arranger, bandleader, songwriter, and record label exec did NOT disappoint.

With nearly 35 years in the business, Shelly has truly seen it all. The always-candid Lares talked about everything from her very first public performance and recordings, how she writes music, the peaks, and valleys of success, telling off a CBS executive, starting her own record label, and so much more.

This is a must-listen for music nerds, Shelly fans, and everyone in between. Also included here are tracks from Shelly's latest album, "Obra de Amor," which is now available on all digital outlets and on CD.

Special thanks to Rudy Ancira for joining us and photographing the interview!

Shelly officially retired from live performances at the end of 2022. She has gone on to pursue her dream of becoming a hospice nurse, but continues to work in the studio nurturing new talent and producing new music on her label, Shellshock 3 Records.

Music played:

Soy Tu Amor

Dejame en Paz

Vas a Pagar

Mi Lugar

Trato y Trato

Ayer (ft. J.R. Gomez)

Recorded live on KOOP radio in Austin 3/25/17.

This episode is another blast from the past! Let's go back to March 2017 when Rancho Alegre's own Piper LeMoine sat in for Dot Matrix on her spectacular Girlie Show, which plays nothing but music by female artists.

What happened was radio magic - 11 female Tejano musicians in the studio at once. Most were from the Austin area, with a couple from San Marcos and another from San Antonio.

Included were:

Mia Garcia (then age 9)

Sylvia Donley

B Santa Ana

Maria Villarreal-Fraga (Maria y Cien Grados)

Silvia Rodriguez (Maria y Cien Grados)

Erika Santana (Cañonazo)

Irma Chavez (La Distancia)

Laura Ann (La Distancia)

Daisy Loren (then age 13)

Devin Banda

Nikki Lopez Vigil

We talked with each of the artists and had a listening party with their music and that of other legendary female artists. We basked in the moment and cheered each other on. Unfortunately, the recording cut off before Nikki could finish and before we could talk more with Devin.

Songs played:

Lydia Mendoza - Mal Hombre

Linda Escobar - Es Muy Tu Vida

Beatriz Llamas con Los Fabulosos Cuatro - Dios Me Libre

Laura Ann y La Distancia - Necesito Tu Amor

B Santa Ana - Pa' Que Volver

Sylvia Donley with Manuel "Cowboy" Donley - El Barco de Oro

Maria y Cien Grados - Cumbia Del Sol

Daisy Loren - Amor Eterno

Mia - Pepe Le Pew

Cañonazo - Lo Lindo de Ti

Recorded on 10/3/15 at the KOOP studios, Austin Texas. BJ Moncivais passed away in August 2018.

Rancho Alegre talked with BJ Moncivais of legendary Austin, Texas-based Chicano record label, Valmon Records. BJ's parents, Ben and Lupe Moncivais, started the label in the 1950s and recorded some of central Texas' favorite Tejano musicians like Little Joe and the Latinaires, Manuel Donley, Roy Montelongo, and more.

During the interview, we discuss the history and future of this regionally popular, but influential independent record label.

During the broadcast, we played these 45s from Valmon Records:

1. "A Medio Baile" by El Conjunto Corona de Señon Reyes
2. "Por Un Amor" by Little Joe and the Latinaires
3. "Dancing in the Street" by Alfonso Ramos y Su Orquesta
4. "Flor Del Rio" by Manuel Donley y Las Estrellas

Recorded in January 2013 at their home in Midlothian, Texas.

Conjunto Baraja de Oro is one of the hottest bands going these days. Affectionately known as Conjunto BDO or simply BDO, North Texas husband and wife duo Mario and Betty Barajas are taking the Conjunto world by storm, boasting multiple Tejano Music Award nominations, incredibly well-attended shows, high-quality songwriting and recordings, and a loyal army of fans.

Mario has been working hard for nearly 30 years playing accordion and singing in various Tejano groups. For over 20 years, he and Betty have, with their super-talented band members, steadily built the phenomenon that is Conjunto Baraja de Oro. 

We took an afternoon drive up to Midlothian, Texas, just north of the I-35 split (and the closest Braum’s Ice Cream to Austin!), and really enjoyed getting to know the pair. After talking with them, we came away with a great sense of how much of a labor of love this is for both of them, something we can definitely identify with.

They both have killer good looks, brains, talent, and extraordinary love for and from their fans. Add to that their marketing savvy, business acumen, drive to succeed, and undeniable passion for the music, and the result is nothing short of amazing. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we did.

Since this interview was first posted and since their Austin debut at the 2013 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival, BDO has become one of the most in-demand Conjuntos in Austin and continues to tour all over Texas.

BDO also became even more of a family band when they added daughter Victoria on bass and son Jordan on bajo sexto.

Songs played:

Ayer y Hoy

Que Lastima

Prieta Casada

Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros

Infiel

Star-Spangled Banner

Damelo

Dos Ojas Sin Rumbo

Sembre Mi Amor

Recorded in August 2017 at the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library. Chencho Flores passed away in January 2021 due to complications of COVID-19 at the age of 91.

At the time of this interview, Chencho was 88 years old and had just started his own Conjunto earlier that year after a long tenure with Conjunto Los Pinkys.

This in-depth conversation, which we believe to be the only recorded interview with the very shy and humble Mr. Flores, covers his life, his musical beginnings in the 1940s, the changes he's seen in Austin during his lifetime, his time in bands with Ben Garza and his brother Frank Flores, how he joined Los Pinkys, and finally his own band.

In January 2020, Chencho, along with brother Frank, bajo sexto player Vicente Alonzo, drummer Augie Arreola, and bassist John Majalca, were inducted into the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame in Alice, Texas.

After his passing in 2021, Chencho was featured on the PBS NewsHour during a segment remembering lives lost to COVID-19. The Austin Chronicle and the Austin American-Statesman wrote long-form obituaries about him.

Rancho Alegre honored Frank and Chencho at the 2022 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival with a lifetime achievement award. Frank, though frail and ill, appeared in person to accept the award. And even got up and danced with his wife. He passed away in December 2022, also at the age of 91.

Songs played:

Buscandote - Frank Flores y Su Conjunto

Puñal Del Olvido

Viva Seguin

Morena La Causa Fuiste

El Pajuelazo

Recorded in October 2011 at Roberto Pulido's ranch in Edinburg, Texas.

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…

We showed up at his ranch in Edinburg, and he waves us to the back of the property to his shop where he makes fishing lures and other things, and is hanging out with some friends. He asks where we would like to do the interview, and suggests his game room because it’s really quiet and nice. We agree and follow him inside, expecting a pool table, dart board, HD television.

What’s there to greet us when the lights come on? Taxidermy as far as the eye can see. Stuffed wolves, bucks, does, alligators, buffalo, water buffalo, bears, a zebra hide, and to top it all off…a hippo skull. When he said game room, he meant GAME room.

As can be expected from any time spent with El Primo, who is one of Tejano music’s most beloved icons and one of the coolest guys ever, is something to treasure. We knew this would be a very entertaining interview, but it also turned out to be a very touching one too, as Pulido talks about his father, his career, and his family.

Music played:

Copa Tras Copa

La Barca de Oro

Imposible Olvidarte

La Ronera

Te Vi Partir

Rancho Alegre (Polka)

Los Tres Amigos (w/Little Joe & Ruben Ramos)

Cartas Marcadas (w/Little Joe & Ruben Ramos)

Flor Triste (w/Los Aguilares)

Amor Derecho (w/Alma Pulido)

Contigo (w/Bobby Pulido)

Soy Culpable (w/Johnny Canales)

Ya Ahora Es Tarde (w/Emilio Navaira)

Jambalaya

Mi Pequeñito

Si Quieres Verme Llorar

Sonia (Polka)

Flecha Envenenada

Señorita Cantinera

Si Borracho Estoy (Live)

La Tumba Sera El Final

Recorded in 2011 at Janie's Record Shop in San Antonio, Texas.

Long known for their popurris, San Antonio's Los Aguilares have enjoyed great success over their 58-year career in music. With brothers Genaro on vocals and bass, and Emilio on accordion, the group became a fan favorite and, like other hard-working conjuntos, toured extensively around Texas and the rest of the country.

After Emilio’s passing in 2009, the band continued the family musical tradition until 2018, when they hosted their final anniversary show. They also established the Emilio Aguilar Alzheimer’s Foundation in his honor to support families of Alzheimer’s patients in the San Antonio/Bexar County and to help research this disease.

Genaro is a humble man and an artist who is generous with his fans and media, with a friendly, positive demeanor that instantly puts anyone at ease. You can even hear it in this interview. Heck, you can even hear it when he sings.

We hope you enjoy getting to know Genaro and learning about one of the most popular groups in Conjunto history.

Music played:

Anhelos

Popurri de Canciones #2

Popurri de Canciones

Mi Pensamiento

Ella

Popurri de Canciones #3

La Jesucita (Live)

Flor Del Rio

Tocando Puertas

Popurri de Canciones #1

Flor Triste – Los Aguilares y Roberto Pulido

Conjunto music legend Alfredo De La Rosa passed away on April 8, 2022. A member of one of the most storied and influential musical family dynasties in Texas music, Alfredo spent many years playing with brothers Tony and Adan and sister Eva as well as with his own Conjunto. His style was steeped in the classic Conjunto of the Coastal Bend: a clean, straightforward sound driven by a strong, unrelenting beat and equally strong vocals, perfect for the dancehalls of South Texas.

In 2012, Alfredo underwent a successful, life-saving liver and kidney transplant, however, he retired from public performances several years later.

Thanks to his son Rick, we were fortunate to sit down with the legend himself and learn about his life, career, and more. The interview is in Spanish with our very own Baldomero Cuellar. We have also chosen a few tracks from his vast catalog to accompany the interview.

Recorded September 2017 at Alfredo's home in Kingsville, TX.

Songs:

Preso Me Llevan

No Hay Lugar

La Mechuda

Que Mal Me Siento

Juzgan Mi Vida

Leñita Verde

Recorded in 2012 at Christus Spohn hospital in Corpus Christi. In this interview, we switch between Spanish and English constantly - a perfect example of a typical South Texas dialect and conversation.

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 since the 1950s.

Rick proudly carries on this tradition, with strong accordion and powerful vocals on all the recordings and performances with his own conjunto, Los D Boyz, which also features more members of the legendary family.

We caught up with Rick on a trip to Corpus as Alfredo was gravely ill and his future was uncertain. A few months later, a kidney and liver transplant saved his life in the nick of time. Alfredo went on to live for nearly 10 more years, before passing in April 2022. We were fortunate to be able to interview him back in 2017.

Rick was extraordinarily gracious, as always, and gave us a great interview. We hope you enjoy learning about the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Famer and his career, and the legacy he honors every time he hits the stage and every time he picks up the accordion.

Music played:

Escuchame

Dulce Amor

El Pobre Bohemio – Eva De La Rosa

De La Rosa Popurri Live

Amigos Nada Mas

El Celo Me Tortura – Tony y Adan De La Rosa

Lo Que Paso Volo

A Que Has Venido – Tony De La Rosa y Ruben Vela

Un Recuerdo

Voy A Tirarme A Los Vicios – Alfredo De La Rosa

Desculpeme

La Recien Casada – Los Hermanos De La Rosa

Mis Juramentos

Olivia

Me Piden

Recorded on two occasions, in 2012 and 2018 at the Little Joe Museum in Temple, Texas.

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 60 years.

Coming from humble beginnings in the cotton fields of Temple, Texas, Little Joe has seen it all. Famous for collaborations and duets, the Grammy winner has worked with everyone from Conjunto pioneer Valerio Longoria to longtime Tejano friends Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido to Country legend Willie Nelson and many more.

We made a special trip to his museum in Temple to talk with the man himself. Surrounded by photos and memorabilia, we talked about his life and career, even some politics. There’s a lot of insight, a lot of philosophy, and some good laughs too.

In 2018, we returned to catch up with the legend and talk about his upcoming honor from the City of Temple, Little Joe Hernandez Street.

Since then, Little Joe was named Texas State Musician for 2019 and in 2020, his biography No Llore, Chingón, written by Emma Gonzalez, was published.

In 2023, Little Joe has been honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

(note: we included his Schlitz Beer commercial for historical purposes only)

Track Listing:
Al Cortar Una Gardenia – with La Familia
Indita Mia – with the Latinaires
Que Lastima – with Johnny & Rocky Hernandez and La Familia
Una Mujer De Este Pueblo – with Johnny and La Familia
Luchare – Los Carnales de Little Joe
Take Me To Jail – Little Joe
Ramona – Rocky Hernandez with Little Joe
Por Una Mujer Casada (Live) – with La Familia
Pajarillo Barraqueño – with La Familia
Que Paso La Ultima Vez – with Mariachi Companas de America
Las Nubes – with La Familia
Borrachera – with La Familia
Mira Juanita – with La Familia
Prieta Linda – with La Familia
Devolucion – with La Familia
Noche De Amores – with Valerio Longoria
Our Last Night – with Donna Fargo and Johnny Rodriguez
Amor, Amor – with Willie Nelson
Recuerdos Querido Amigo – with Gilberto Perez
Ojala – with David Lee Garza
Cartas Marcadas – as Los Tres Amigos w/Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido
Serenata Huasteca – Los Tres Amigos
Flor Del Rio – with La Familia
Only You – with La Familia
La Unica Estrella – with La Familia
Ojitos Verdes
Por Un Amor
Tome Schlitz
Las Nubes – with Los Palominos

Rocky Hernandez is a beloved Tejano music legend who very rarely gives interviews and has retired from public performances. Just the mention of his name among Tejano fans or musicians immediately inspires a smile and a great memory, along with, invariably, a mention of his phenomenal talent. So you can imagine how honored we were that he agreed to sit down with us to reflect on his life, career, and whatever else was on his mind.

Well-known for his incredible voice, charm, and charisma, the second to youngest of the famous Hernandez family of Temple, Texas, Rocky has music in his blood. He joined brothers Joe and Johnny in Little Joe and the Latinaires (and later, La Familia), fusing together traditional influences along with contemporary jazz, R&B, and blues to create an iconic sound and contribute to the foundation for Tejano music as know it today.

Rocky embarked on a solo career in the early 1980s and continued until health reasons required him to slow down and eventually retire. His solo recordings (some are included in this playlist) are still highly sought after among Tejano music fans all over the country and beyond.

Special thanks to Johnny Hernandez and Rudy Ancira for helping make this happen. Rudy also took some fantastic photos of the event, which we have shared on our Facebook page.

This interview was recorded in October 2017 at Rocky's home in Temple, TX. In 2022, Rocky began performing again with brothers Little Joe and Gilbert.

Song listing:

"Buena Suerte Corazon" - Rocky Hernandez

"Al Cortar Una Gardenia" - Rocky Hernandez

Johnny Hernandez has seen it all in over six decades in Tejano music. From his beginnings with his brothers in Little Joe and the Latinaires to his solo career and everything in between, Johnny remains one of the most passionate performers, one of its strongest talents, and a tireless advocate for Tejano music.

We got the rare honor of interviewing the legend during his visit to Austin in December 2016 when he came to perform with Big Band Tejano at the Onion Creek Ballroom for an event with the Tejano Music Alliance of Texas. Considering that, at the time, he resided in Modesto, California, we jumped at the chance to get his story and meet the man himself.

He did not disappoint. A former radio personality and executive himself, Johnny told us the story of his career AND of Tejano music, particularly what he refers to as True Tejano Music (which is usually called Orquesta). The horns and big band sounds were the precursors to the Tejano music we know today.

Johnny also wrote an autobiography called The Cotton Picker: An Odyssey, which recounts his life and times in this crazy industry. The book will soon be re-released in hardback.

We talked about everything from music to politics to history to, of course, the state of modern Tejano music as he sees it. We hope you enjoy getting to know the man as much as we did.

Special thanks to Rudy Ancira of the Tejano Music Alliance of Texas for coordinating the interview and for taking great photos like the one above.

Since this interview, we have had the opportunity to work with Johnny firsthand. We flew him out for a symposium on Orquesta music in late 2017 and as the special Tejano guest for the 2022 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival, where he performed with Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez. Both times, he proved once again that he is the "real deal," and that he can still bring the house down.

Music listing:

"Corazon del Pueblo" - Isidro Lopez

"Echale Cinco Al Piano" - Little Joe and the Latinaires

"Las Nubes" - Little Joe y La Familia

"Total" - Johnny Hernandez

"Por Un Amor" - Little Joe and the Latinaires

Recorded in 2011 and 2012 at Mingo's home in San Antonio.

What can you say about Mingo Saldivar? Dubbed “The Dancing Cowboy” because of his inimitable, engaging, passionate performance style, Mingo entertained audiences all over the world (including Africa!) for over 50 years before retiring in the mid-2010s.

At the time of the interview, he was recognized 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, including a National Heritage Fellowship awarded to him by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002.

In this broad-ranging interview, Mingo not only tells his life story and gets into the nitty gritty of Conjunto music as well. Born in 1936 in Marion, Texas, but raised on the west side of San Antonio, he recounts seeing Valerio Longoria performing and how he would run home immediately to try to play what he saw Valerio playing.

You'll also hear about his family, his time in Anchorage, Alaska, how he decided to incorporate Country & Western music into his repertoire, and more. Plus, we have hand-picked some of his classic tunes from his time in Los Guadalupanos as well as on his own with his band Los Cuatro Espadas.

Music played:

Sin Condiciones

Linda Twist - Los Guadalupanos

Andan Diciendo

Lo Que Dios Recoje

Me Agarraste Borracho

Te Voy A Comprar

Rueda De Fuego

Perla Del Mar - Los Guadalupanos

Mil Cadenas

Por Que No Me Comprendes (with Little Joe)

Pajaro Negro

Regresa Ya

Frenta A Una Virgen

Calabacita Con Pollo

Swinging Doors

Cardenal

Nick Villarreal passed away in July 2017. This interview was recorded in September 2011 at El Torreón Restaurant in San Antonio.

Conjunto legend Nick Villarreal, or “Nicky Snick,” if you prefer, was a character larger than life itself. He was a man with charisma so strong, it’s almost radioactive. From his jokes to his laugh, to that big booming voice, he was just FUN.

A member of the Zimmerle family of San Antonio, Nick specialized in composing songs about everything from Kool-Aid to Viagra to Tiger Woods and former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros. His unmistakable, easy-going goofy cumbias were his trademark, along with his catch phrase, “Ah Nyi Nyi!”

In his later years, his health declined considerably, a subject that he discusses in the interview. While he struggled with the same problems as many of his fans, he continued to perform at festivals, still wrote his songs with the same humor, and could sometimes be found in the recording studio as well.

A man like him, with such a long career and such observational humor, had a lot of stories to tell. In fact, we had already wrapped up the interview when he remembered something that he wanted to say, so we turned the mics back on and let the legend speak his mind.

As you can imagine, we had a great time with this one. Piper normally stays quiet during interviews, but couldn’t help but laugh during this one.

Music played:

La Not to Worry

El Child Support

Recuerdo A Mi Madre

A Mis Hermanos Los Soldados (live on Johnny Canales)

Kool-Aid Con Hielo

Aun Se Acuerda De Mi (with Los Enmascarados)

Un Carrito Chiquito (with Los Enmascarados)

El Tiger Woods

La Sugar Free

El Parrandero

Dos Mariachas En La Tienda

La Pildorita Azul Viagra

Mi Guera Cumbiambera

Parranda De Oso Negro

El Soldado Razo

Nick's In the Mood Medley

El Mudo

Thinking of You

Cerezo Rosa

La Pass It Around

Fito Olivares passed away on March 17, 2023 at age 75.

In July 2013, Rancho Alegre met up with the Cumbia legend before a show at Cuauhtemoc Hall in San Marcos, Texas, and he gave us what he said was one of the most in-depth and fulfilling interviews he had ever given up until that point.

We learned a lot about the man himself, his musical influences, his early solo career on Gil Records, his time with the old-school Conjunto Regional/early Norteño group Dueto Estrella, and much more from his 60-year career.

This interview is entirely in Spanish, but we're working on a transcription, which we will post on ranchoalegre.org soon.

Music played:

Cumbia de la Cobra

Que de Mala - Dueto Estrella

La Otra Musiquera - Tam y Tex

Esta Cobardia

La Sabrosona