Recorded in 2013 in Dimmitt, Texas. Things have changed considerably since this interview (read to the end for the update).

In 2013, Rancho Alegre headed out to the Texas panhandle on business. While we were out there, we thought we would touch base with one of the region's most popular groups: Los Arcos Hermanos Peña. We had already been all over the Valley, Houston, and Central Texas, and we wanted to know more about the scene out in that area of the state, which is not traditionally known for Conjunto. We were not disappointed...

Recorded in 2012 at Freddie Records Headquarters in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Recorded in November 2012 at Cooter Brown's in San Antonio, Texas.

If you ask any Tejano music fan to list some of the most popular performers in the industry, Ram Herrera will be near the top of the list.

He hardly has to use his last name anymore, “Ram” is usually enough. He’s also known as the “Most Wanted Man” and the “Man of 1,000 Roses.”

Recorded in 2012 at Palo Alto College in San Antonio. After we got kicked out of Whataburger because they didn't want us to record there - seriously.

Much has been made of the decline of Tejano, and more than a few groups that made it big back in the 80s and 90s have either broken up quietly, faded into obscurity, limited their activity, melted down publicly, or have struggled to remain on the radar in a post-terrestrial radio world.

Recorded in November 2012 at the Garcia home in Pasadena, Texas.

When we recorded this interview, Crystal N Crew was one of the youngest groups in conjunto.  With all members under the age of 17, the family band from Pasadena included Crystal Garcia on bajo sexto, Jose Garcia on accordion, and Lily Garcia on drums. They’ve had a couple of bass players, including Anthony Diaz (included in this interview) and current bassist Isaiah Tellez.

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…

Recorded in 2012 at his home in East Austin.

For decades, Julian Limon Fernandez of Los Texas Wranglers has worked to keep Conjunto alive in Austin. Through various lineups, he and his band Los Texas Wranglers have played in all kinds of venues around Austin, rodeos, tardeadas, benefits, festivals, etc. 

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.

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.

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.