Un tiempo muy saludable

All I can say is wow. This weekend we played at the Gigante Club, here in San Antonio, with Cumbia legends Tropical Panama, from Monterrey Mx. Wow. The place was jam packed by our 2nd set, wall to wall people – most of them from Mexico (Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Coahuila, etc). Of course we knew they were not there to listen to us, but it really did not matter – we all had a great time. Juan and I were worried no one would dance (El profe was worried we would actually be booed off the stage!) So needless to say, we did not know what to expect when we began playing. All I can say is wow… people danced and clapped and threw gritos! I think I speak for all the guys when we say that this was one of the highlights of the year! It was great that many our fan club and family members were present. The Polka Dawgs were there, also pulgeros (Conjunto fans who love to go to the pulgas [flea markets] to hear live music). We all had a great time – together. We played our conjunto style and watched as couples danced a more “Mexican” style of polka (kind of like la quebradita) or just stood there and watched us perform. We even dared to do a cumbia! It was a beautiful experience for me to see the appreciation of Los Padrinos’ traditional Conjunto style by the reaction of the hundreds (and hundreds) of people who were not familiar with it before that day. We did not hire a tuba player for that gig, nor did we speed up the tempo (ala duanguense style) or wear leathery stretchy pants. No, we played the music from our hearts and the audience responded. Our roots were definitely showing! Viva Mexico! Viva America! y Viva Conjunto!

Ya Gotta have The Sound!

I RECEIVED THIS FROM A PADRINO FAN FROM MINNESOTA, ENJOY!

“Just caught the middle of a James Brown Special on CNN… and with this being Elvis Presley week in Memphis as they mark 30 years since his death… I got to thinking about what i heard many people in this James Brown Special say…
“The second you heard that music and Heard That Voice you immediately knew it was James Brown….without a doubt”
And this comment is true with any music group or entertainer such as JB and Elvis.
And i thought about that for a few minutes…
imagine turning the radio on in your car…. and you hear a favorite song… its at the very beginning notes of the song… you haven’t even heard the singer sing yet….
You Know that’s your favorite song!!! right? cause your mind jumps and your hand goes to crank the volume so you can hear it.. you know why? Because you know the sound of that band… the sound of that singer… its their sound…. their style…. Elvis had THAT style…. James Brown had THAT style both had THAT SOUND… unmistakable… you know it the second you hear it… and ya know ….every performer and musician has his style his sound
and if you hear it enough? you will know it.
I have been very fortunate to have performed and still am performing with some of the most talented musicians in this state. (and a few other states as well) and they have their sound… and its so cool to hear it.. and play with it….
I was riding with a Jr. (of the jolly zuks) a week ago… and we were heading up to Larson’s barn to play for the polka fest up there. as we entered the grounds and parked his truck and got out.. i heard some music…i said “Wow maan that sounds like Dale Dahmon!!!” and sure enough… i ran over and it was!!!!
The next night we got out and heard who i thought was Twin City Soundz!!!!! sure enough there they were…. both these bands have their sound…. their style… their way of putting a song together to make it theirs… and they both do a great job at it.. and people hear them and remember that… and next time they hear them playing ANYWHERE… they come running to watch them perform and dance to their music..
The bands i am in and perform with…. all have their sound… they have made that sound theirs thru years of practice, performing and playing the music they love.. and if you hear them one time.. then see them again later… you will recognize their sound immediately …
Each of them have a following of people who love that sound.. and come to dance and listen… and they are all excellent at what they do.
And its fair to say Every musician and group has a certain sound. A certain style of playing and singing. Even my son’s band Beauty Thru Silence have that sound that’s theirs… you hear them and you will know its them…
I could very well say The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Chick Corea, Buddy Miles, and even Hulio Parsnarfski….(ok he’s a singer I made up) but you get my point? if you know these peoples’ music and heard them before… you instantly recognize them because they have that sound…
and why do they have that sound? I like to think because it comes from within them.. the heart the soul the feel the love for what they do… playing music they love.
Larry King was interviewing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (of the Beatles) and he asked them..”Why do you keep playing music? you know your rich.. you don’t have to play any more…why?” Both Paul and Ringo replied “Because we love to play… we love music” Ringo added “Larry you don’t have to do your show every night here on CNN but you do why?” Larry replied “Because i love to do it”
there ya go….
and i would be very safe in saying that’s the way it is me and with all of my fellow musicians.. we love to play music…..
To those who listen to music i say… Keep listening and enjoying your favorite sounds because the musicians and singers work very hard to bring it to you…AND to those musicians i know… young and old?… Keep playing… the world needs your music!!!! Never Give it UP!!!!! it does not matter if you get that million dollar contract like Elvis and James Brown… just keep putting your music out there in front of people who love it will make you rich… rich beyond your wildest dreams….
it sure has made me rich…Love Fred 😉

end of class….. LOL NOW CRANK THAT BOX AND JAMM!!!!!! “

Tejano Survey

A few days ago I attended a survey to listen to music for two evenings.  I was asked over the phone what my favorite radio station was so I said KEDA.  Veronica told me to mention KXTN, so I did and they signed me up.  I was there with a group of about 60 people listening to 4 hours of Tejano music.  It was mostly music that is played on KXTN, you know Tejano music from the 1990s, (DLG, Jay Perez, Mazz, Selena, and Emilio)  Also, Sap Sap Sapo! Las Hijas de Don Simon, Borracho de Besos, and other burned out hits.  I only gave good grades to Los Hometown Boys, Los Chamacos, and Los Desperados (and some DLG with Jay Perez).  It was hard because I wanted to push Conjunto, but they only played Tejano Conjunto.  No 2Gs, no Tony de La Rosa, no Ruben (or Ricky) Naranjo, no Fantasmas del Valle. Now, they did play “El Coco Rayado” by Ruben Vela, but that was it.  Very sad.  If I had the money and had my own radio station (Martinez Broadcasting system presents KMART-FM) KMart? Anyways, I would play music like KEDA and KGBT in McAllen.  KEDA on FM, now that would be great!