Puro ConjuntoMusic Review and News

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

The South Texas ConjuntoAssociation congratulates Ruben dela Cruz Y Su Conjunto, Elsa, Texas,STCA Conjunto of the Year.

We also want to thank all thosewho participated and cooperatedwith us in this yearly endeavor. Theshow already aired on KMBH TV inthe Valley with copies of the show tobe made available soon.

Also plans are already underwayfor the 14th Annual COY.Place, date, time, and location TBA.Go to www.conjunto.org for surveyon where or why we should haveawards show again next year.

14th Annual COY Next? Where? When? Plans in the works

The conjunto world has very few femalevocalists that we can name in this column.However, one name that comes upeverytime when we say, “Conjunto girl?”Who is it? The one and only one that hasbeen the most consistent female conjuntoparticipant in all these years – LindaEscobar from Corpus Christi, Texas.

Linda, (photo on the right) has beenknown by conjunto ever since she was alittle girl.

Congratulations, again, Linda.

Two Time Female Vocalist for the South Texas Conjunto Association

The legend continues to make the hits. Gilberto Perez YSus compadres earn “STCA Single of the Year” Awards.

Ricardo Guzman, Jr named “STCA Vocalist of the Year at 13th

Annual Conjunto of the Year Awards in Mercedes, Tx.

We heard some commentary about the way we(STCA) goes about in selecting the winners. Anyoneinterested in finding out, we invite them to participatein our decision making process by becoming involved inall our volunteer work throughout the year. Want tolearn how we select winners? Join us in our work. Wewill gladly have you work with us. Contact us at ourMESSAGE BOARD on www.conjunto.org.-Lupe Saenz, Jr. Editor, Publisher. lupesnz@yahoo.com

Polka Dawgs Invade CottonField Next Gilberto Perez’s

Rancho the Day AfterAwards Show

Mercedes, Texas - A bus load of “polka dawgs “arrived and parked along the highway FM 491 justin front of Gilberto Perez’s house.

Slowly they started to step down the bus stepsinto awaiting welcome by Gilberto, his wife,Amelia, and son Javier as they lined the entrancefrom the bus all the way to the back of the andinto the Gilberto Perez Showroom.

It’s July and cotton season is in full swing in theRio Grande Valley. Perez’s property is surroundedby large cotton field in full bloom.

Taking advantage, some of the San Antoniovisitors invade the cotton field to take picturesand to reminisce about the days when they werecotton pickers themselves.

Alfredo de la Rosa’s New CD Just Released – 15Hits on Hacienda Records – Now playing….

Gilberto Perez, Jr, takes over the conjunto… and isnow called, “Gilberto Perez, Jr, Y Sus Compadres” Thenew conjunto is currently planning to record a newCD soon.

Conjunto Girls Performing in Austin,Texas, state CapitolIt's a Women;s conjunto world in Latin MusicShowcase at Austin’s Jovita's Restaurant. JoannaRamirez con Larry Lange and his Lonely Knights, GinaChavez, Mary Welch y Los Curanderos and SusanTorres y Conjunto Clemencia. These are conjunto girlsat the State Capital of Austin, Texas.

Conjunto Califas, Visalia, California, has recentlyreleased a brand new album appropriately titled,OVERDUE.

Staying with the latest trends, the album includesthe cumbia, “Put it on Facebook,” written andsung by Alfredo Saenz, Jr, bajo player, andvocalist of the group.

In addition, the other songs included in the newcd are: “Lamento de Un Prisionero,” “PorJugarme Traicion,” “Regalame Un Besito,”“Mienteme Mas,” “La Historia de un Amor,”“Califas Mix,” “Soy de Tejas” “Vencido,’ “Daddy’sHome,” and a special accordion duet with MartinHernandez and James Moreno,” Mr. Sandman.”

The rest of the band members include Alfredo M.Saenz, bajo sexton; Jaime Moreno, accordion;Steven Martinez, bass; Jimmy “Papa” Moreno,road crew and special guest: Martine Hernandezon accordion in “Mr. Sandman.”

The band, one of few Texas conjunto style artistsin the San Joaquin Valley, California, continues toplay and perform throughout the west and theUSA.

Recently, Califas performed at the annualGuadalupe Cultural Arts conjunto festival in SanAntonio where they charmed the audience andblasted some of the best conjunto licks ever.

And, Freddie, yes, you were overdue on this one.A great recording. Congratulations, from theSouth Texas Conjunto Association, Rio GrandeValley.

Conjunto Califas can be contacted onconjuntocalifas@gmail.com.Facebook.com/pages/califas.

Lupe Saenz, Jr, “Acordeones de Tejas TV Show” interviewsRoberto Pulido of the Tejano band, “Los Clasicos” duringthe taping of show at a special reception held at SanBenito’s Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center.

Califas Releases OVERDUE cd album Literally

Canasta Records, Kingsville, Texas, released “TheBest of the Chano Cadena 56th Year AnniversaryDance, April 24, 2010 – Manru Country Dance Hall”“live” recordings albujm. The album includes musicby Los D Boys, Ruben Rivera Y RA, Linda Escobar,Mickey Y Sus Carnales, and Chano Cadena Y SuConjunto.

The event has also been featured in a specialedition of the program, “Acordeones de Tejas TVShow” on Public Television in the Rio Grande Valley.

Chano Cadena’s 56th

Anniversary Dance onCanasta Records

PURO CONJUNTO MUSIC REVIEW On LINE,written, edited, and published by Lupe Saenz,Jr., 308 Weslaco, Texas 78596.

Permission to download and print is herebygiven to anyone who wants to have a hardcopy of this publication.

Send your conjunto articles and pictures tolupesnz@yahoo.com for the next issue whichwill be out in about two week.s

www.conjunto.org is the website to clik.

Rick Garcia, Hacienda Records, Mc’d the COY Awards.