Conjunto VS Tejano

[DJ Joe "Cheppo" Hernandez]

Hole Comadres Y Comprades,

Ever wonder what makes us say hmmmm?

Well please, any Tejano bands out there don't take this wrong, it is not an intent to put any musician down by all means. It just an opinion

So let me say just this. Tenjano Bands

Recently I went with my wife and friends ( I had to bend the rule a li'l )from here in Austin, and drove to San Antonio. We went to see Jay Perez at Graham Central Station. We must have arrived around 9:oo P.M. The place was kind of warm, and seemed the A/C was not working as well, or they had it down to save some paka. Ok, at 10:00 P.M. Jay came on stage, played for 30 minutes, and great music by the way, and took a long, long break. Is something wrong with this picture?

Ok, Now CONJUNTO BANDS

We all have been to several outings, and clubs and Conjunto dances where they feature great talented Conjunto Bands. If in most cases an ad may state Dance, El Pody, La Musica starts at 7:00 P.M. ...You can bet your last Bud Light and dollar that they will start playing at that time. Heck I have seen grupos already playing imaginary instruments behind the stage before they get on stage. And to put the icing on the cake, they play for an hour song after song after song before they take a break, and by the way...how many groups of conjunto take 15 minute breaks anyway? They know that if they don't play, Conjunto Fans won't come back. They love to play and see every different style of dancing when we get on El Piso. They love to see the Vatos Stacy's, Tapitas, Y Las babies all dressed up. You see there eyes wondering around and are thinking as they are playin "Did this Vato get his Stacy's on ebay, or at a regular store, or maybe a garage sale?...Hijole....lol

Ok, so how many of you agree, please, again this is not an intent to bring down Tejano Bands I just want people from the Tejano World know what the big difference is. And the big difference is

PURO PINCHE CONJUNTO!!!!

By the way,

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Papi's, Fathers, Daddy's, Ole Man, El Chigon, Jefe's out there.

[Tony]

How can any sane person not know the difference between conjunto music and Tejano music !! I would have to agree with El Padrino and anyone else who enjoys conjunto music as much as I do that conjuntos have that certain beat or rythm that you just can't sit still when they start playing.Yeah,I too have a pair of tangerine Stacys !! Puro back in the 60's que no !! And so when a conjunto comes to perform I put on my Stacys and off we go dancing to cumbias,polkas, and anything else the conjunto is playing.I mean come on,when you start listening to the bajo sexto y la accordion can you really stay sitting down?!Que viva los conjuntos vato loco !!! And again,with conjuntos you don't have to wait 20 minutes or so for the next song. lol Enough said carnal !

[Carlos Ramirez Jr]

I agree with Joe and El Padrino, when it comes to style conjunto is unique because as El Padrino stated all conjuntos have their own style. I can listen to the radio and I can tell when it Rueben Vela, or Los Fantasmas del valle or Los Dos Gilbertos. Especially the accordion players they can traspond their sound and stlye to any song polkas,rancheras or cumbia's. I can not understand why Tejano music wants to assimilate to the Rap, or Pop music. Our culture the Tejano culture is beautiful and if you listen to the words of conjunto their music is like a story or ballads. I also know conjunto is a word for four musicians but to me its a culture all to itself. This music makes me proud of who I am, and how hard we have worked to get to this point. This forum is great for the young people to learn and especially be good to each other eliminate all the violence and agression with one another. Share you thoughts and feelings about our conjunto music and culture with everyone. The gringos do not have the the passion that we have for our culture, music, food and live itself. It makes me proud to be a Chicano, Tejano, raza or whatever we call ourselves at any given time I have experienced all of them in my life time. Gracias por toda las amistads que son mis homies.

[DJ Joe "Cheppo" Hernandez]

I want to say one more thing, and again, no pund intended. How many Tejano Stars come out to the sitting areas where we are sitting, talking, Do they come and shake your hand, take a pic, sit awhile, chat a bit? Not Many. None that I have ever seen., Then you get a Conjunto Star, example...Boni Mauricio, Pete, & Mario Diaz Los Monarcas, David & Jerry Flores Los Tremendos Alacranes. These people come out and will have a beer, a smoke, talk about their life, shake, hug, take pics with you. These Conjunto Stars know what it is for us to be among them, They know, Lamistad, they know, la Familia. Others...well, they stay back stage and hardly ever come out.
I just wanted to shout it out one more time.
Puro Pinche Conjunto.

[El Padrino]

One thing about Tejano bands is that they have to sound exactly like every other Tejano band, especially if they do cover music. I think in Conjunto you HAVE to have your own style and create your own niche, unless you are explicitly following someone else's style to honor their legacy (ie Ricky Naranjo, Los D boys, etc)

[Tony]

You are so on the money !! Conjuntos also like to play requests by people dancing and having a great time. What better sound to listen to than the sound of an accordian? Makes the heart beat faster and your feet move like nothing else on the dance floor !! And watching them chicanitas dancing to the cumbias. WOW !!!

[Jay]

I hate it when people say..."its the same thing". Noooooombre, i have to bite my tongue vato! lol. I like tejano but to a certain point. Conjunto has more corazon and soul......a REALNESS to it!
Like my shirt says.....IF IT AIN'T CONJUNTO, TURN THAT CHIT OFF! LOL!

[DJ Joe "Cheppo" Hernandez]

Thanx for your reply...
Y Ponle!!!!