Rancho Alegre

Recorded in 2012. 
As the traditional audience ages, everyone’s talking about how to get young people to listen to Conjunto and Tejano music. Kyle, Texas, has an answer with Conjunto Romo.
Meet Navor Romo…bassist, bandleader and vocalist. Together, he and his sons Cedrick (accordion/vocals), Noe (bajo sexto) and JJ (drums), are making their mark in Conjunto music. And, in the case of Noe and JJ, juggling high school at the same time.
In their short time in the business, the family has already overcome challenges and criticism, but has also won awards and have also become fan favorites. Through it all, they rely on each other and their loyal fan base for strength, always moving forward and keeping their eyes on the future.
Since this interview was recorded, the boys have become men. They have started families and careers, but they are still together and the band continues to gig all over the state. 
We hope you enjoy getting to know Conjunto Romo.
Here's what we played: 
No Me Digas Que No
Margarita
Gorrioncillo Pecho Amarillo
La Media Naranja
Ayer Sali De La Carcel
Paloma Negra
Mi Golondrina
Mujer
Que Me Lleve El Diablo
La Viuda Negra
Popurri Romo
La Diferencia
El Troquero
Little Rascals Popurri
 

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.
We were honored to call him a friend, to bring him to Austin to perform several times, and to record his life story, which is being transcribed and put into a book. We celebrated his 60th anniversary in music at our 2019 festival and awarded him our first lifetime achievement award belt. 
We also remastered his catalog on his label, Nuevo Records, which is available at Del Bravo Record Shop or from the Perez family.
Sadly, Gilberto passed on February 3, 2021. His son and longtime "right-hand man" Gilberto Jr (aka Chore) carries on the legacy with pride. Joining him are his younger brother Javier Perez and Cande Aguilar Jr., who has returned to music, honoring his padrino Gilberto Sr.  
We hope you enjoy our interview with a remarkable man and great musician. 
Here's what we played: 
Madre Querida
Vida de Vago (with Ruben Vela & Ramon Medina)
La Noche Que Llore (with Ruben Vela & Ramon Medina)
Al Pie De Un Crucificio
El Burro Pardo
La Mesera
Cuando Estoy Contigo
El Quelite (with Ruben Naranjo)
Homenaje a Ruben Naranjo
Oye Amigo (with Little Joe)
Cuatro Copas (with Little Joe)
Long Tall Texan
Morena Morenita (with Los Dos Gilbertos)
Amigo Del Alma (with Mariachi Estrella)
La Rosa De Oro
Mis Parpados (Live)
Viva Seguin
Los Carnales
Con Cartitas
El Drogadicto
Mi Casa Nueva
La Carta De Iraq
El Dia De Tu Boda
Yo Y La Botella
Mi Ultimo Deseo
 
 

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.
With Beto on bajo sexto and first voice, and Jesse on accordion and second voice, their smooth harmonic sound is reminiscent of Ramon Ayala. And to be perfectly honest, Soltero is probably one of the better drinking songs out there. Put it on repeat, open a Bud Light and dale shine!
This was our very first interview (April 2011), and then we caught up with the guys a couple weeks before our very first Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival in 2012. 
They came out of retirement after seven years for one last special performance for the festival on February 4, 2012, and sounded great. The Moose Lodge was packed. It was a beautiful public sendoff for some local favorites.
Beto died in 2014 and Jesse passed in 2022. 
Here's what we played: 
Guerita Linda
Vino Maldito
Los Mandados
Mi Dia De Suerte
Albur Perdido
Angel
Canto A Mi Madre
Los Recuerdos De Mi Padre
El Soltero Apasionado
El Cielo Nublado
El Mundo Es Mio
Mujer Paseada
El Pajaro Negro
Espejo De Cantina

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: 
Mala Mujer - Los Nobles
Toma Mi Corazoncito - Los Nobles
Para No Pensar En Ti - Los Nobles
En Mi Propia Cama - Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers
Noche Plateada - Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers
Que Tristeza Me Acompaña - Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers
Alla En Mi Rancho Alegre - Los Nobles
Cartas Marcadas - Los Nobles
Porque Me Amargas La Vida - Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers
Sembre Mi Amor - Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers
Popurri Naranjo - Los Nobles
Que Lo Sepan Popurri Live – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Tu Tienes Un Corazon – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Que Dios Te Perdone – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Te Voy A Comprar – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
La Tormenta/Que Sentimiento Traigo (LIVE) – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Del Cielo Cayo Una Rosa – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
No Tienes Perdon – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Muchachita – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Depende De Ti – Ruben Rivera y R.A.
Mis Penas – Ruben Rivera y R.A.

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.
Marcos began his career in the 1980s with groups Blackjack, Powerhouse, and the legendary Fabulosos 4. But it was his time as the lead singer for David Lee Garza y Los Musicales that propelled him to Tejano music super stardom. His unmistakable voice is on the megahits  ”Tonta,” “Una Noche Mas,” “Tu Boca Roja,” and more, which are still on heavy rotation at Tejano music stations and on DJ playlists everywhere.
Marcos talked with us about his time with all of these groups, as well as his solo career with Grupo Rebelde, and his influences and future plans. Hardcore fans will enjoy the rare tracks from his first three groups, along with some fine selections from his days with the Musicales and a few of his latest releases.
Here's what we played: 
Te Quiero Asi - Blackjack
Alma Rota - Powerhouse
El Precio De Tu Cariño – Los Fabulosos 4
De Corazon a Corazon – Los Fabulosos 4
Me Vuelvo Enamorar/Tonta (Live) – David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Tu Boca Roja – David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Una Noche Mas – David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Para Ti – David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
El Taxista – David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
El Hombre Que Mas Te Amo – Marcos Orozco
Baila Morena – Marcos Orozco
Como El Viento Se Va – Marcos Orozco
Gotas De Lluvia – Marcos Orozco
Costumbres – Marcos Orozco
Pero La Quiero – Marcos Orozco
Una Historia De Amor – Marcos Orozco
Como Te Va Mi Amor – Marcos Orozco

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: 
Con La Tinta De Mi Sangre – Los Relampagos Del Norte
El Disgusto – Los Relampagos Del Norte
Por El Amor A Mi Madre – Los Relampagos Del Norte
Que Suerte La Mia – Ramon Ayala con Pedro Infante
La Cama De Piedra – Ramon Ayala con Pedro Infante
Siete Leguas – Ramon Ayala con Pedro Infante
Piedras Del Campo – Ramon Ayala con Freddie Martinez
La Calandria – Ramon Ayala con Jody Farias
Mi Golondrina
Ya Te Vi
Quemame Los Ojos
Solo Una Patada
La Raza De Mezquite
Mandame La Tumba
Que Va
El Mundo Es Mio
Si Quisieras
Un Puño De Tierra
Vestida De Color De Rosa
Porque

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: 
Prieta Orgullosa
Como Los Hombres
Enseñame A Olvidar
Ya Supe Todo
Engaño
Los Pollitos De Don Roman
Brindemos Por Un Nuevo Amor
Vete
Se Me Nublo
Ni En Difensa Propia
Vole Muy Alto
Ando Borracho
Las Montoneras
Perdoname
Me Cai De La Nube
Me Basta y Sobra
La Botella

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.
We got to know the brothers pretty well, and talked about all manner of things. We learned what it was like for them growing up around their father, Austin legend Paco Rodriguez (who also plays bajo sexto for Los A-T Boyz), and his orquesta group. We learned about that magical moment they first saw Tony Guerrero and La Sombra live and in concert. And we also learned about Paquito's battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects children. 
They're, well...they're pretty great guys. They were open and candid, but positive in their outlook. They talked about the challenges they have faced along the way, and what the future may hold for them. 
Sadly, Paquito's cancer returned and he passed away in 2016 at age 42. Their father Paco Rodriguez passed away in 2025 at age 77.
We hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about the group formerly known as Alma Tejana and these two fine fellas as well. You'll also hear some of their catalog in the interview as well.
The track listing is below: 
La Gente Celosa
Era Un Sueño Nomas
Besos De Canela
Adios Rosita
Las Nenas
Amigo
No Estas Sola
Otra Vez A La Cantina
Muevele
Cuentale
Angel Del Cielo
Cosas Del Destino

Recorded in 2011 at Cuauhtemoc Hall, San Marcos, Texas.
We met up with the legendary Jaime y Los Chamacos before a show and got to learn about the life and career of Jaime DeAnda. 
A lot has happened since this interview, notably that Jaime and the rest of the band parted ways in 2018. Tejano Nation has covered the different sides to the story, with band ownership at the heart of the dispute. 
Here's what we played:
X-Novia
Mil Cadenas
La Sirenita
Como Te Llamas Paloma
Amor De Todos
Me Gustas Toda
Puño De Tierra
Yolanda
2 G’s Special: Palabra de Hombre & Vieja Escalera
Los Chamacos Special: Siempre Que Me Emborracho & Mira Luisa
Mi Musica Favorita
Tres Veces Te Engane
Amandote
Como Pude Enamorarme De Ti

Back in 2011, we caught up with Austin's own Gilbert Alba. The veteran Tejano musician has had a long storied career in central Texas and beyond, spending time in numerous bands including Dave Gutierrez y Su Orquesta, Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution. and most notably, The Latin Breed, as well as his own band, The Super City Band. 
When we interviewed Gilbert, his latest CD with his Super City Band, Para Mi Gente, had just been released. The immaculately-produced album included a variety of exquisitely arranged tracks featuring Gilbert's strong vocals and old school Chicano sound.
We hope you enjoy getting to know more about Gilbert and his career in one of our earliest interviews. 
Here's what we played: 
El Talon
Me Enamore De Ti Mujer
Muchacha Hermosa
Ay Morena
Amorcito
Mi Ultima Parranda
Quiero Dormir Cansado
Por Tal De Que Seas Feliz
De Que Me Sirve Ser Rey
Ya Estufas