By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the NEWS
For over two decades, the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum has honored the artists and contributors who have shaped the distinctive sound and culture of Conjunto music. This year, the tradition continues with the annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner & Awards Ceremony honoring a new group of legends.
The event is set for Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Academy, 2115 N. Oscar Williams Rd. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Patricia Avila, Executive Director of the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum, shared insights into the museum’s mission and impact. “Our mission is to promote, preserve, archive, document, and display the rich history of regional conjunto music by honoring the artists who create it,” she said.
The museum, established in 2001 by founder Reynaldo Avila Sr. and his wife, Aurora Avila, relocated from its initial location at the San Benito Museums on Heywood Street (2007-2019) to its current home on Robertson Street on February 18, 2022.
Avila described the significance of this milestone: “I’ll never forget our Re-Grand Opening on February 18, 2022. The entire community was buzzing with excitement to see our new home on Robertson Street.
NPR interviewed us about our comeback, and the support we received was overwhelming. People of all ages stepped in to help. They brought water and food, and some local businesses even gave us grants to complete key projects. It was truly a labor of love. We expected 100 people to come, but over 200 showed up to celebrate with us. In that moment, we realized just how deeply our Father, Rey Avila’s, passion for preserving Conjunto music had touched others.”
Avila emphasized the cultural importance of the museum’s work. “Preserving conjunto music is vital because it’s the heartbeat of our culture and community. It tells the stories of our people, and by keeping it alive, we honor our past while inspiring future generations.”
The museum’s open donation policy reflects its commitment to accessibility. “We originally charged admission when we opened two years ago, but we noticed that some large families and groups would hesitate or even walk away,” Avila explained. “We didn’t want the cost to keep anyone from experiencing the museum, so we switched to an Open Donation Policy. Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome, learn about our region’s music, and explore our father, Rey Avila Sr.’s, 30-year collection.”
Community support has been integral to the museum’s success. “Our museum wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible support of our local community,” Avila said. “From the San Benito Cultural Arts Department and San Benito city officials to the San Benito EDC, San Benito CISD, San Benito News, San Benito Chamber of Commerce, South Texas Conjunto Association, and many community businesses, the list goes on. Their partnership has meant everything!”
The museum’s recognition as one of the top 10 music museums in Texas by the UTSA Institute of Texans Cultures was a proud moment. “When my brother Joe sent me the message that we were named as a Top Ten music museum in Texas, listed by the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, I was thrilled and deeply honored,” Avila recalled. “It was one of those moments that makes you pause and say, ‘Wow, we really did this.’ Every step we’ve taken to preserve and share our Conjunto heritage has led to this recognition.”
Avila also highlighted the museum’s vibrant atmosphere. “I would describe the museum as a vibrant space filled with artifacts, photographs, and stories that honor the legacy of our great conjunto legends. It’s more than a museum, it’s a living tribute to the music and the people who shaped it. I often tell visitors, ‘You never know who might walk through our doors.’ We’ve had musicians stop by and suddenly there’s an impromptu performance right on our Narciso Martínez Porch. It’s magical.”
Looking ahead, the museum is excited about new initiatives. “We launched our 24/7 Conjunto Hall of Fame Internet Radio Station in March 2025,” Avila said. “Directors DJ Rudy ‘Tree’ Treviño, Eric Gomez, Chris Wright, and VP Peter Avila have poured their heart and soul into growing our audience, and they’re doing an amazing job.”
Avila hopes visitors leave with a lasting connection to the music. “We want everyone who walks through our doors to have a meaningful experience,” she said. “We hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for our traditional regional music, a genre that’s been around for 90 years and is still going strong, thanks to the incredible young talent keeping it alive and sharing it with the world.”
Tickets for the induction ceremony are available at the museum. Stop by Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $30, with reserved tables for eight available for $240.
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