Rancho Alegre

Recorded in 2011 at the Flamingo Ballroom. 
Augustin Ramirez is a Tejano icon. Beginning his career in the early 1960s and riding the tide of the popularity of horn-driven Orquesta Tejana into the 1980s, "El Guti" has been one of the most popular musicians for over 60 years. 
Full disclosure, his music has always been a mainstay here at Rancho Alegre, so landing this interview was extra exciting for us. 
Since then, he continued touring all over the US but has slowed down in the past two years. But he still gets out there from time to time. 
Here's what we played: 
Tres Veces
El Parrandero
Copa
Agamos Un Trato
El Sauce y La Palma
En Una Cajita De Oro
Pobrecito
Sangre De Indio
Tres Ramitas
Sea Por El Amor De Dios
Todos Lloramos
El Barco Chiquito (Live)
El Camaroncito
La Barca Marina
La Mucura
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Pack My Bags
Lumbre
El Mosquito
Tu Tienes Que Vivir Conmigo
Por El Amor Al Dinero – with Roy Montelongo

Recorded in 2011 - Moose Lodge, Austin Texas
Bene Medina is one of those rare musicians who have created a lasting legacy into future generations through teaching. Known as El Maestro, San Antonio's Bene Medina has, at one time or another, probably given a lesson to every young accordion player in town. Either as an independent instructor or one of the founding instructors at the Conjunto Heritage Taller. 
Bene is also an incredibly technical musician, meticulous in his playing and known for difficult pieces that show how sophisticated Conjunto can be. 
Bene will be 87 in the summer of 2026 and continues to teach and play in San Antonio and beyond.
Here's what we played. 
El Zancudo
Paso Doble Popurri
Alma Rota
Micaela
You Don’t Know Me
Mala Cabeza
Palabra De Rey
Copa Tras Copa
El Gallo Prieto
Lo Voy Hacer Por Ti
El Talon
Golpe Al Corazon
La Flor
Popurri Destino Cruel
Elida
En Todo La Chapa

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. 
La Sombra continues to play throughout Texas and beyond. 
Here's what we played: 
Dos Angelitos
Popurri Freddie Martinez
Where’s the Beef
Mi Guerita Coca Cola
El Emigrante
El Trenecito
El Sapo
Vuelve Mariposa
Pepe Le Pew
Escuchame
Hollywood Kid
Enamorado De Ti
Lindo Carinito
La Del Mono Colorado
Todo O Nada
Solo Me Faltas Tu
Mi Chuparrosita

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. 
Here's what we played: 
Si Quieres
Hasta El Dia De Hoy
Ojitos Negros Encantadores
Si No Te Vuelvo A Ver
I Want To Go To Mexico
Si Quieres
Sin Sangre En Las Venas
Suelta Mi Corazon
Me Equivoque
Acariciame
Si Podiera Olvidarme
Cosecha De Mujeres
Papas Fritas
Me Estoy Muriendo

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).
We talk about the history of the band and get to know the current members. For those unaware of the legacy of The Hometown Boys, the family band originally from Lubbock is one of the most beloved groups in Tejano Conjunto history, and la familia Martinez endured tragedy after tragedy at the height of their popularity in the 1990s.
Despite the premature deaths of brothers Roman Jr. (1997), Joe (1998), Jesse (2002), and later, Ricky in 2007, Roman continued on with the band with various lineups. 
Since this interview, Elias branched off on his own, then joined The HomeBoyz. Anthony Treviño also left the band to form the South Texas Homies. Bobby Martinez passed in 2023. 
Now at over 90 years old, Roman continues to lead The Hometown Boys as they play their classics in venues throughout Texas. 
Here's what we played: 
Joe’s Special – Conjunto Internacional
Se Lo Dejo A Dios
Las Montoneras
Mira Amigo
Aquel Amor
Viejo Al Viento
El Pintor
Corazon No Llores
Vestida de Blanco
La Ley Del Monte
Los Barandales Del Puente
Tu Delirio
Prieta Orgullosa
Tu Mala Entraña
Hometown Boys Live: Somos Dos Gatos
Teddy Bear Special

This was our second interview ever! Recorded in April 2011 at Tejano Ranch in Austin. 
Conjunto legends Los Dos Gilbertos sat down with us before their show in Austin. You'll hear from Gilberto Garcia (RIP), Ruben Garza, and Dario Gonzalez(RIP). 
Gilberto Garcia passed in 2016, and Dario Gonzalez passed in 2020.
Ruben Garza started his own band in 2016 continues to play all over the state of Texas and beyond.  
Here's the song listing: 
Cendro Tamez Polka
En La Loma Chiflando
Vieja Escalera
Que Te Vaya Bonito
Pajaro En Jaula
Querido Amigo
Padre De Un Soldado
Cuando Llegue El Momento
Vieja Escalera
El Talon
Floresito Del Alma/El Borracho (Live)
Tu Buen Camino – Ruben Naranjo
El Chubasco
No Me Se Rajar – Los Aguilares
Mariposa
Vela Sin Llama
Cartas Marcadas

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.
As you will hear in the introduction, this was a very personal interview for Baldomero and one that he planned on re-doing, but he never got the chance. Pico Ramirez passed away on June 3, 2020, leaving behind a legendary musical legacy in Conjunto music, many fans, and a family who loved him very much.
We hope you enjoy getting to know one of the unsung heroes of Conjunto music and hearing some of our favorite selections from his time with Los Gamblers and a couple of his last recordings with his sons.
 
 

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.
Chano was the first interview on our famous tour of the Rio Grande Valley in October 2011. As he welcomed us to his home in Robstown, he gave us the tour of all his awards and framed newspaper articles celebrating his amazing career. He pointed to one trophy in particular, a 4-foot tall award given to him by the Senior Citizens of Concepción, Texas, honoring his 50th year in music.
When we were lining up talent for the Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival in February 2012, Chano was one of the first people we called and we built the first festival around him and fellow Alice legend Rene Joslin. We also arranged an in-store performance at Antone’s Record Shop, where he delighted a crowd of music lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
Chano was a mainstay at our festival and always came to play when we asked. He continued playing until 2024, and his final public performance was at our festival at the Doris Miller Auditorium. Fellow Conjunto legend Mague Orosco of El Dueto Carta Blanca de George y Mague joined him on stage for a couple of songs, much to the delight of the crowd. 
We hope you enjoy this interview with one of Conjunto's best, along with selections from his catalog. 
Our hearts go out to la familia Cadena, and his many fans, friends, and fellow musicos who will miss his unique style of playing, birthday phone calls, and jokes. Here's what we played in addition to the interview: 
Track Listing: 
Arrancame El Corazon (Conjunto Cadena)
En Las Puertas De La Carcel (Conjunto Cadena)
Cuatro O Cinco Farolasos (Conjunto Cadena)
No Tienes Perdon (Conjunto Cadena)
Te Voy A Comprar (Conjunto Cadena)
Y Tenia Chiquito El Pie
Las Noches Las Hagos Dias
El Gambler
Huapango Cadena (Live)
De Que Es Tu Corazon
El Cumbianchero
Te Quiero Mucho
Indita Mia
Alma Rendida
Pan De Polvo
Gaviota Traidora
El Tamborazo
Corrido de Oliveira
Mi Casa Nueva
A Pesar de Tu Engaño
Contrabando De El Paso
Volveras Por Mi
Una Palomita
Noche De Cumbia
Tragos Amargos
La Pronto y Quick
Popurri De Clasicos (Live)

Songs played on this episode of Rancho Alegre on KEDA - Saturday 9/6/25: 
Ruben Rivera - La Tormenta
Gilberto Perez Jr. - Un Mal Entendimiento
Nick Villarreal - El Mudo
Los Hermanos Farias - Los Albañiles
Los Mungiazz - Mujer Perdida
Los Fantasmas Del Valle - La Rafaela
Manuel Guerrero - Yo Tenia Dos Corazones
Conjunto Soliz - La Puerta Negra
Conjunto Los Pinkys - Flor de Dalia
Break - bedding music: Big Head Todd & the Monsters - Imaginary Ships
From the Vault: Los Cuatitos Cantu - La Recien Casada
Rudy Garcia y Los Godfathers - Copas de Agua
Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez - Ya Volvio La Palomita
Eddie "Lalo" Torres - Me Voy A Despedir
La Naturaleza - Ay Amigo
Los Nuevos Campeones de Ramiro Gonzalez - Cuatro Cartas
Los Artisticos de Jr. Farias - Mis Locos Desvarios
Edgar Vasquez y Los Muchachos - A Grito Abierto
Eddie y Ruben Jimenez - La Cubanita 
Break - bedding music: Madreblu - Certamente
Mix of the Day - Chano Cadena
In memory of Ernesto "Teto" Cadena
Su Mando Le Dijo a Julia
Soy Virgencita
Cuando Te Tuve Te Mantuve
Margarita
 

As bandleader of a solid, hardworking conjunto for over 40 years, San Antonio's Rudy Garcia was truly ahead of his time. He wrote and registered his own songs. He managed himself and played all over Texas. He had his own record label called Godfather Records. His sound was truly unique.
Back in May 2016, we caught up with Rudy and a couple of his long- time band members at his home in San Antonio.
Rudy passed away in July 2024. 
Here's what we played. All original songs by Rudy Garcia y Los Godfathers:
 
Interview Segment 1 -> Song: "Ya Cuando Estamos Casados"
"Los Gallineros"
Interview Segment 2 -> Song: "Que Te Pasa Calabasa"
"A Ti Se Te Cai La Garra"
"Los Tubos"
Interview Segment 3 -> Song: "Por Nuestro Bien"
Interview Segment 4 -> Song: "Yo Soy Tu Pollo"
"De Quien Son"
Interview Segment 5 -> Song: "Copas de Agua"
"Mejor Muerto"
 Interview Segment 6 -> Song: "Soy El Novio De Tu Hermana"
Interview Segment 7 -> Song: "Bailando en San Quilmas"