What is Johnny Degollado Day? 

Known to many as "El Montopolis Kid," Johnny Degollado is a Conjunto music legend known as a consummate accordion player, songwriter, and composer. Johnny studied with Conjunto pioneer Camilo Cantu ("El Azote de Austin, Tejas") after first seeing him at La Polkita in Del Valle southeast of Austin in the early 1940s when Johnny was just a kid. Cantu famously never recorded and gifted his compositions to Johnny to record. In 2022, we released what may end up being Johnny's final studio album (never say never!), Musica Al Estilo de Camilo, with Johnny playing in Camilo's style to get as close as possible to hearing what Camilo sounded like. 

While Johnny was well-known as a popular musician around Austin, he really made his mark and created a legacy when he started the Austin Conjunto Festival in the late 80s. He continued to present that festival every year on the Sunday of Cinco de Mayo weekend for nearly 30 years at Fiesta Gardens, where the pavilion is named for him. 

We see ourselves as continuing his work and legacy in terms of Conjunto music in Austin, so we always honor and respect it by dedicating the Sunday of our festival every year to him. He is always invited and often attends.