The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Chuy Negrete discusses his music and the politics that inspire him and plays several songs. Negrete explains that he got his musical start in church as a young boy in Chicago and then came to Chicano music through other genres, such as rock and roll, blues and big band. Negrete explains that he got his musical start in church as a young boy in Chicago and then came to Chicano music through other genres, such as rock and roll, blues and big band. He was also involved in Latino student groups and the farm workers movement. For several years, he directed a Chicano theater group, for which he often provided the music. It was there that he started developing his theatrical musical style. Chuy provides an example of Chicano art in the Chicago context. Negrete explains that folklore is often one of the most utilized elements of the culture of marginalized groups. As such he wants to use music as a way to raise people's consciousness by simultaneously entertaining and politicizing his audience. He wants his music to affect people on an emotional level. Negrete explains that he would like to analyze corridos to uncover what they reveal about the Mexican American experience and how they are used to contest the dominant culture. Fregoso concludes that his music evokes the common experience of all Mexican Americans. Throughout this episode, Negrete performs several of his songs that deal with such themes as immigration, migrant life, and imperialism. Keywords: Activism, Activist Art, Alex Ramirez, Big Band, Blues, Bracero Program, California, Chicago, Chicano Music, Chicano Theatre, Chile, Church, Chuy Negrete, Comedy, Consciousness Raising, Corridos, Cuban music, Farm Workers, Folklore, Hippies, Imperialism, Joe Cuba, John D. Rockefeller, Latin American Student Organizations, Latin Music, Midwest, Migrant workers, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Musicians, NACS, National Association of Chicano Studies, Pilsen, Plays, Political Music, Politics, Rock and Roll, Teatro Campesino, Victor Jara, Wisconsin. Broadcast date: 1980-06-02.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), and Negrete, Jesús, 1948-2021 (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
4/20/1980
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin