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: Musician, Valerio Longoria, discusses his career in Tejano music and his experiences in the recording industry. Valerio Longoria first discusses how he got started in music and his efforts to teach himself the accordion and the guitar as a child by listening to other musicians. He also talks about the influence of Narciso Martinez on his style. Longoria then discusses his time in Germany, where he lived during World War II and was amazed by the German accordion music. After the war, Longoria returned to San Antonio, where he played at various local dances and cantinas. He developed a large rural following, and he talks about traveling throughout the state in the post war years, when accordion music was becoming increasingly popular. In 1947, he made his first album, but lackluster sales convinced him to move to Chicago, where he stayed for several years. Longoria also discusses his tumultuous relations with women. When Longoria returned to Texas, he found that several new Tejano groups were playing his music and becoming big hits. Longoria explains that he is not bitter but is happy that people have learned something from him. Longoria's music is played throughout the episode. Keywords: Accordion, Borderline, Charles Bronson, Chicago, Chicano Music, Congales, Corona Records, Discos Joey, El Polkarito, Famo Records, Francisco Cantu, Germany, Harlingen, Texas, Hermanos Villarreal, Kenedy, Texas, La Trukita, Los Dos Gilbertos, Narciso Martinez, Polka music, Port LaVaca, Texas, Recording Industry, San Antonio, Texas, Santiago Jimenez, Tejano Music, Timbales, Valerio Longoria, Veterans, World War II. Broadcast date: 1981-05-22.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), and Longoria, Valerio (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
1981-05
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin