Musica ranchera is an element of Tejano culture and music which grew in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s. During that time, many Tejanos were listening to radio stations broadcasting from Mexico and watching films from Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema which had incorporated musica ranchera.
The rustic musical style of musica ranchera is performed in ways that make the listener connect with a story or experience. Some narrative ballads are oral histories of South Texas society. From “Adelita” during the Mexican Revolution to “Los Tequileros” during United States’ Prohibition era, Rumbo al’ Anacua honors “Las Cuatro Milpas” and “El Rancho Grande.”
Natives of Premont, Texas, Rosa Canales Pérez and Joe Pérez currently reside in Olmito on the outskirts of Brownsville. The duo performs old música ranchera plus original compositions of music and poetry that reflect their cultural heritage. In addition, the couple produces and hosts North of the Border, a radio program of Mexican roots music that is now available on YouTube. Rumbo al’ Anacua toured with the Texas Commission on the Arts Artist Touring Roster for four years throughout the state. The Pérez’ are also founding members of the Narciso Martínez Writers’ Forum in San Benito.
Sunday Speakers Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship.
This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.