We interviewed Austin Conjunto legend Chencho Flores back in August 2017. At the time, Chencho was 88 years old and had just started his own conjunto earlier that year after a long tenure with Conjunto Los Pinkys.
The entertainment world has been abuzz for months, anxiously awaiting the December 4th debut of Selena: The Series, the new Netflix Original series that takes a deeper dive into the early years of Selena y Los Dinos and the dynamics of the Quintanilla family during the band’s rise to stardom. The series is currently #1 on the streaming provider, with millions of viewers tuning in over the past three days.
In this interview from 2013, Rancho Alegre's Baldomero Cuellar sat down with a true Conjunto legend, Jose "Pico" Ramirez. Best known as one of the original members of Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers from Alice, Texas, Pico supplied strong but intricate bajo sexto to Naranjo's simple, yet elegant accordion, as well as second voice harmonies that were second to none. This sound made the group famous and their personal interactions with fans made them beloved.
In this interview, recorded in August 2017, Baldomero Cuellar talks with Vicente "Chente" Alonzo, an Austin conjunto music legend with nearly 60 years in the business. While he has played bajo sexto with several different bands, he is most recognizable as the longtime second voice and bajista for El Montopolis Kid Johnny Degollado, with whom he began playing in 1957. Most recently, he was with Chencho Flores y Su Conjunto.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2020
Media Contact: Piper LeMoine
Media Contact Phone: 512-609-9208
Media Contact Email: info@ranchoalegre.org
It's that time again - this is our 2nd year in this incredible day of philanthropy in Austin and we're really looking forward to participating again this year! Last year was amazing - let's make it even better! Early gifts are accepted and encouraged - there are bonuses for total number of donations, total number of dollars and more.
Give online here: https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/ranchoalegre
We'll be back again at this year's Feel the Love event, organized by the Austin Music Foundation. Stop by our booth and learn more about what we do, what we have planned this year and also check out all the amazing resources available to Austin musicians.
Rancho Alegre has been selected to participate in a charity competition with Tiff's Treats to celebrate their 21st Anniversary!
Favoritas De Mis Padres, the debut album from San Antonio-based accordionist Brenda Martinez, is now available on all digital platforms and on CD and Vinyl LP at Rancho Alegre's Store! The album is a collection of instrumental Conjunto tunes, paying homage to the classic instrumental Conjunto albums of masters like Ruben Naranjo, Gilberto Perez and Ruben Vela. The selections include polkas, a huapango, and a reimagined bolero, all with the feel and vibe of old-school Conjunto.
