Special Little Joe Programming on Compadresmusic Begins July 17th
In honor of Little Joe's big street-naming celebration this Saturday in Temple, Texas, Rancho Alegre has partnered with our compadres at Compadresmusic.com for an awesome week of special programming. Tune in to Compadresmusic this week for our 2012 in-depth biographical interview with Little Joe and our latest update recorded last week.
Now Available - New Album by Gilberto Perez Jr y Su Conjunto
Humilde Corazones is the second studio effort from Rio Grande Valley-based Gilberto "Chore" Perez Jr y Su Conjunto. Among the ten solid, hardcore Conjunto tracks are three original compositions by Gilberto Jr ("Dame Otra Oportunidad," "Luz Perlita" and "Estrellitas Caen Del Cielo") and two from longtime friend and collaborator Julian Garcia ("Hay Veces Que Nada El Pato" and "El Sueño de Julian").
Rancho Alegre Shop now open!
We've set up our Shopify Store! Now you can buy Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival T-shirts, and we'll be adding more stuff soon.
The Gold Record That Wasn't
By Baldomero Cuellar and Piper LeMoine
In the middle of their set on Saturday May 19th at the 2018 Tejano-Conjunto Festival in San Antonio, Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers were awarded with a gold record “to commemorate certified gold sales of more than 500,000 copies of the Latin World Records world wide release of Lo Mas Caliente,” released in 2017. KEDA’s Nelda Saenz introduced Julie Rodriguez of Latin World Records, who presented the award along with Frank Fierro of XtremeTejano.com. The band smiled, the crowd of thousands cheered. Photos were taken. Rodriguez posted her own photos all over Facebook, receiving congratulatory comments and likes.
How to Support Rancho Alegre Radio
Do you like what we do? Whether it's interviews, analog recording digitization, live events or if you just think we're awesome, you can support us financially. You don't have to be a company. Individuals can donate too. And since we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donation is 100% tax-deductible!
Our Letter to the FCC about Tejano and Conjunto Music and Net Neutrality
We are watching the developments in Washington DC regarding Net Neutrality very closely.Rancho Alegre Interview with Rocky Hernandez
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.
Rancho Alegre Interview with Johnny 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.
Rancho Alegre Radio to Moderate SXSW Panel on Tejano Music
We are so excited to announce that our panel discussion proposal about Tejano music for South by Southwest 2018 was approved!
Rancho Alegre Interview - Nick Villarreal
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.
Rancho Alegre Wins WeWork Creator Award!
Rancho Alegre Radio had the distinct pleasure of winning a WeWork Creator Award last night in Austin at ACL Live. We were so very humbled, excited and honored just to have been finalists in the first place! Everyone in our category was inspiring and incredible, as were the finalists in the other two categories.
We sent out a press release to some media this morning...
We're Finalists for the WeWork Creator awards!
Good news everyone! Rancho Alegre Radio has been selected as a finalist for the WeWork Creator Awards!
2017 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival to be held May 5th and 7th at Stubb?s Waller Creek Amphitheater
The Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival is BACK! Make plans to join us in Austin on Friday May 5th and May 7th as we bring some of the best conjuntos to the world-famous Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater at 8th and Red River, in the heart of the Live Music Capital of the World!
Paquito Rodriguez Benefit November 8th at the Moose Lodge
Years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting and talking with brothers Raphael and Paquito Rodriguez of Los A-T Boyz, and we've been friends ever since. We were struck by their great attitudes and giving spirit, and continued to notice that their band was always available for any kind of benefit or jamaica or wherever else they were needed.
During that interview, we learned that Paquito had already battled and survived neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects children. Unfortunately, Paquito finds himself fighting cancer again.
Rancho Alegre's First Anniversary on KOOP Featured in Austin American-Statesman
Many thanks to Austin American-Statesman columnist Nancy Flores for a great article on us first on her regular blog, Cultura en Austin, but also in the August 24, 2015 print edition.
You can read the entire article here and also subscribe to her blog for more columns on Austin Latino culture.
"When Rancho Alegre Radio hit the airwaves on KOOP 91.7 FM last August, it brought Tejano and Conjunto music back to FM radio in Austin.
"We’d been disappointed for years that you couldn’t find Tejano music on FM radio here,” says Rancho Alegre co-host Piper LeMoine. Austin lost the last of its Tejano music radio stations in late 2005, which sparked a fight to get the music back on the airwaves. In 2008, Tejano music returned to the air and was soon simulcast in both FM and AM. However, today Austin has only one Tejano music station — KTXZ 1560 AM— after the FM station switched formats.
"Rather than complain about it, we saw an opportunity to change that,” LeMoine says. She and co-host Baldomero “Frank” Cuellar went through the KOOP radio training and launched the hour-long program, which now airs every Monday at 9 a.m."