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The KUT Longhorn Radio Network Presents: Mexican American Experience Collection

Audio recordings including interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns in the series "The Mexican American Experience" and "A esta hora conversamos" from the Longhorn Radio Network, 1976-1982.

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PROGRAM INFO

Title:
Conjunto Musicians, Their Lives And Their Times.
Program #
1982-21
Theme:
Culture

Series:
Music
Host:
Linda Fregoso
Guests:
Esteban Jordan, Flaco Jiménez, Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Tony de la Rosa
Date:
Dec 31, 1969

Conjunto Musicians, their lives and their times.

Linda Fregoso discusses the life and careers of Conjunto musicians, Tony de la Rosa, Flaco Jimenez, and Esteban Jordan. Fregoso first speaks with Tony de la Rosa. She explains that de la Rosa taught himself how to play the accordion and got his start playing in cantinas. He then discusses the development of conjunto music and the efforts of the recording industry to build is audience.

Fregoso next speaks with Jimenez, who learned to play the accordion from his father.
He started his own band when he was 15 and starting recording songs. Jimenez explains that while his early songs were very popular, they only sold a small number of records because at that time the recording industry was hesitant to promote conjunto music, which they associated with the lower classes. Since then, however, conjunto music has become very popular, and Jimenez has played with several famous mainstream musicians like Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder, and he talks about his experiences touring with the latter.

Fregoso then interviews Jordan, who is famous for his unique performances and dedication to the Chicano Movement. Jordan is particularly committed to the cause of farm workers because he was one. In fact, he learned to play music in the fields and he talks a little bit about the effects these early experiences have had on his music. Jordan criticizes the recording industry for stifling creativity and discusses his interest in blending different musical sounds.

KEYWORDS

Accordion
Barrio Life
Bars
Bass Guitar
Bob Dylan
Burritos
Cantinas
Chicano Movement
Chicano Music
Chicken Skin
Conjunto Music
Country Western Music
Cross-Over Music
De la Rosa y Juarez
Esteban Jordan
Farm Workers
Flaco Jimenez
Flaco Jimenez y su conjunto
Hasta la Vista
Henry Zimmerle
Julian Juarez
Lawrence Welk
Leonardo "Flaco" Jimenez
Leonardo Jimenez y Los Caporales
Mariachi
music
Narciso Rodriguez
Norteño Music
Orquesta
Peter Rowan
Polka
Radio
Recording Industry
Rock Music
Ry Cooder
San Juan, Texas
Santiago “Flaco” Jimenez
Saturday Night Live
Sir Douglas Quintet
South Texas
Tejano Music
Tony de la Rosa
Valerio Longoria
Washington, D.C.
Working Class
 

Center for Mexican American Studies | Department of History | The Benson Latin American Collection

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