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: Host Gloria Contreras interviews Eli Barron, member of Mariachi Estrella de Austin, on the history of mariachi and its place in Austin culture. Barron discusses how mariachi music is a traditional folkloric music, in which the musicians move around. The name comes from the French word for marriage, and Barron says that most mariachis mostly play at weddings. Most mariachi groups have a violin, guitarrón (bass guitar), vihuela (small guitar), trumpets and a regular guitar. Billy Mendoza founded Mariachi Estrealla in 1975 with musicians from the Austin Mexican American Community. All of the musicians, including Barron, had previous experience playing instruments and with mariachi music. The groups hopes to create an institution that will preserve Mariachi music in Austin for years to come. They play many private engagements, including weddings and serenatas (day break serenades) throughout Austin. They also hope to record an album in the near future. Barron also explains that young people are beginning to discover and enjoy mariachi music. Keywords: Bass Guitar, Billy Mendoza, Charros, Citizenship, Endericio Reyes, Fashion, Folclorico, Guitar, Guitarrón, Hector Santos, Illegal Alien, Johnson High School, Labor Market Discrimination, Manuel Limon, Mariachi Music, Mexico, Mother's Day, Naturalization, Nick Reyes, Nuevo Laredo, Pop Music, Preserving Tradition, Rock and Roll, Rupert Ortiz, Second Generation, Serenata, Style, Troubador, Trumpet, Vihuela, Violin, Weddings. Broadcast date: 1977-11-09.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Contreras, Gloria (host), and Barrón, Eli (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
11/2/1977
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin