Chano Cadena passed away yesterday, September 19, 2025 at age 87. This interview was recorded in October 2011. 

He was a Texas music legend, pure and simple. Recognized for his longevity and technical skill, he is admired by fans and colleagues alike. A hall of famer several times over, he played and toured with all of the legends, even a very young Ruben Naranjo back in the early 1960s.

Recorded in October 2011 at the Gilberto Perez ranch in Mercedes, Texas.

This is a special interview. Recorded on our first interview road trip in the fall of 2011, we sat down with beloved Conjunto icon Gilberto Perez Sr. 

Gilberto and his wife Amelia welcomed us into their home and we talked about his life, career, and his camaraderie with fellow Conjunto greats of the golden age. Then we went into the little museum behind their house that holds all of his records, awards, photos, and honors. We got a glimpse into the life of one of the best to ever do it.

Recorded in 2011 and 2012.

Back in the 1980s, Jesse y Beto Duran y Los Aguilillas had a massive hit with El Soltero Apasionado, a waltz that took them all over Texas and was frequently requested (and graciously played) multiple times per show. With various rhythm sections, Jesse and Beto played together for 45 years before retiring in the mid-2000s due to health issues.

Recorded in 2011 in Alice, Texas. 

During our interview tour of the Valley in October 2011, we stopped in Alice, Texas, and talked with Ruben Rivera, a former member of Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers and Los Nobles.

For several years, his own conjunto was called Ruben Rivera y R.A., but a change in personnel and direction in 2025 brought a new group: Loz Noblez de Ruben Rivera y Leonard Naranjo. 

Here's what we played: 

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.

Recorded in 2011 after a jamaica south of Austin.

Marcos Orozco is not just a pretty face in a pair of tight-fitting Wranglers. The singer-songwriter-producer-arranger has lent his signature romantic voice to some of Tejano music’s greatest hits.

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.

Recorded in 2011, we caught up with the legend himself, Ramon Ayala, before a show here in Austin, Texas. 

At the time, Ramon didn't really do interviews, so we were really fortunate to get him to talk with us. 

We spoke with him about his life and career, as we do, and he was candid and friendly, even though we didn't have as much time with him as we have had with others.  

This past year has seen the icon winding down his 60+ year career in music with a final tour. 

Here's what we played: 

On a lovely summer evening in 2011, we met up with Raphael and Paquito Rodriguez of Los A-T Boyz at Little Mexico on South 1st here in Austin.

This interview was also recorded in 2011 at Steak & Shake in South Austin, shortly after our first interview with The Hometown Boys. 

Following up on that first interview, we talk a little bit more with Don Roman Martinez and Elias Arredondo. With a quieter environment, we got to dig a little deeper into Don Roman's history and discuss the band's Tejano Music Awards honors. 

Here's what we played: 

Recorded in 2011 at Cuauhtemoc Hall, San Marcos, Texas.

In this interview, recorded before a show at Cuauhtemoc Hall, we talk with The Hometown Boys lineup of 2011: Elias Arredondo (lead vocals), Rosie Perea (backing vocals), Bobby Martinez (RIP, bass), Anthony Treviño (accordion), and of course, El Jefe himself, Roman Martinez Sr. (bajo sexto).

Recorded in 2011 at Cuauhtemoc Hall, San Marcos Texas.

In this interview, we first meet the dynamic Sunny Sauceda before a show at Cuauhtemoc Hall. We talk about his beginnings as an artist, important moments in his career, and more. 

Since then, Sunny has become active in the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy, joined the staff of Texas Folklife, and has performed on America's Got Talent. He continues to be one of the nicest people in the business, relentlessly positive, and still has that trademark high-energy performance style. 

Recorded in 2011 - Tejano Ranch, Austin TX

Back in 2011, we caught up with the legendary Tony Guerrero of La Sombra, one of the most popular Tejano showbands of the 1980s and 1990s. At the time, Guerrero had had some health issues and La Sombra had been on hiatus for a few years. In 2016, they released Look Who's Back - their first album in well over a decade. 

Younger bands like Austin's Los A-T Boyz were especially influenced by La Sombra's flashy stage show, choreography, and modern style.