By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Two months into its existence on the internet, KHFR Radio appears to have a “sound” imprint for any world listener as it dishes out various forms of familiar tunes native to South Texas.
The inaugural online show on www.conjuntoradio.org began Saturday, March 25 from the confines of the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum [TCHFM], 402 West Robertson Street, in San Benito.
Already having left its footprint in conjunto music, the idea of having a radio show made sense to organizers.
“It has been a powerful voice for our museum, helping us share the legacy of conjunto music with a wider audience,” said Patricia Avila, Executive Director/President of the TCHFM. “It inspires community pride and celebrates our cultural heritage while shining a spotlight on the museum’s mission.”
When one listens to conjuntoradio.org, there is DJ Rudy “El Aborlito” Trevino belting out tunes often reminding the audience that San Benito is the birthplace of this unique brand of music.
“Esta eschuchando conjunto, bajo y corazon,” DJ Rudy exclaims in a promo spot, explaining that the music has heart.
Peter Avila is the museum’s vice president, and he tells of the historical significance this brand of music has on the region and culture.
“We are bringing back music that is no longer getting play time. We started by researching the music of over 90 musicians that started recording with Ideal Records and Falcon (Records). Both of these two labels put deep South Texas on the map throughout the United States,” he explained.
“By the beginning of the 1950s, they became the regional powerhouse and the most significant Hispanic label of the American Southwest. Today, we have many different music genres that have grown from the seed that started it all here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Avila added.
“This radio station is allowing us to tell the story of the trailblazers that came from two hours south of the border to two hours north of the border to get recorded, and because of this movement, we now have groups that are recognized worldwide. We are so excited to have a platform that can be broadcast to all parts, as we keep our listeners informed, all while dancing at their leisure 24/7, 364 days,” Avila remarked.
Although DJ Rudy has a Freddy Fender catalog at his disposal, conjuntoradio.org is not exclusive to just the late native San Benito son. In fact, the playlist is a who’s who of musicians who are played with limited interruption, because, as Conjunto Hall of Famer Ruben Garza explains in another radio promo: “It’s where legends come to play.”
Listeners, for example, on May 20, heard, in consecutive fashion, the likes of Valerio Longoria, Ruben Garza, Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, Martina y Conjunto La Suerta, Los Volcanes de Eddie Rodriguez, Los Tremendos Alacranes, Los Monarcs de Pete y Mario Diaz, Los Marceles, Los Garcia Bros., Conjunto Bernal, Los Fantasmas del Valle, Los D Boyz Hermanos de la Rosa, Grupo Fontera y Bad Bunny, Los DeltaBoyz, Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez, Gilberto Perez, and Boni Mauricio y Los Maximos.
The musicians lament to familiar beats with one common denominator — “la accordion.”
Their lyrics tell about suffering for lost or newfound love and sometimes use of the bottle to ease the pain, or stories about being penniless, or partying excessively, even a mother’s love or perhaps a mother-in-law’s disdain for living.
As in life, there are no stones unturned or subject matters not tackled in these musical selections when the DJ changes tunes. Musician Nick Villarreal sings his song “La Comadre,” about a young woman, with kids to boot, who’s being advised by those close to her, not to party and keep up appearances because the welfare checks she’s become accustomed to are going to be taken away.
Museum Treasurer Joe Avila said there are always new listeners from all corners of the country, and the world due to the internet’s international reach.
Organizers are currently seeking sponsorships that begin at $100 (business card size) to advertise on the official program book for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner & Ceremony which is slated for Saturday, July 26, at the Veterans Memorial Academy in San Benito.
Attendance cost is $30 per person. Call Patricia Avila at 956-245-5005 for details.
Hall of Fame inductees include Freddie Martinez, Sr., Lupe Nino, Bobby Salinas, Placido Salazar, Jose Moreno, and Samuel G. Ramos, Sr.
Rudy Trevino and fellow DJ Eric Gomez have also done live remotes at conjunto functions around the Valley. One of the most notable to date was a live interview with Los Tigres del Norte at the Bert Ogden Arena in March. The show is broadcast live from the TCHFM each weekend from 7-10:30 a.m. To hear the broadcast, log on to www.conjunto radio.org, then press the listen button to hear oldies and new music.
“We invite musicians and those in the conjunto industry to stop by our museum for live interviews to share their stories and any news,” said Patricia Avila. “It’s a really exciting time for us as we broadcast our show worldwide via the internet.”
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