
By TejanoNation Staff
@TejanoNation
Corpus Christi, Texas — Veterans and scholarship recipients will be honored at the 17th annual El Veterano Conjunto Festival at the Ayers Event Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on Sunday, November 6, 2016.
Held every year around Veterans Day in memory of Conjunto legend Eligio Escobar, the festival honors all veterans for their service to this country and also awards scholarships to young musicians on behalf of the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund.
This yearly family-friendly event is a source of pride for coordinator and three-time Tejano Music Hall-of-fame inductee Linda Escobar, as the Conjunto music showcase honors not only veterans’ service to our country in memory of her late father, but also shines a spotlight on the future of the Conjunto Tejano genre with scholarships for young musicians.
This year’s recipients are:
1. Christopher Brian Ayala (Age 12-Accordionist from San Antonio)
2. Mando Lopez III (Age 15-Accordionist from Corpus Christi
3. Ivan Lopez (Age 11 -Bassist and vocals from Corpus Christi)
4. Javier Lozano (Age 8-Accordionist from Hebronville)
5. Victor Lozano, Jr. (Age 9-Bassist and Vocalist from Hebronville)>
Scheduled to perform are some of today’s hottest Conjunto bands from around Texas, as well as past scholarship recipients. Military Ceremonies by the Veterans Band directed by Ram Chavez
Live Music by: Lazaro Perez y Su Conjunto, Los D Boyz, Ruben Garza y Nueva Era, Santiago Garza y La Naturaleza, Mando Y La Venganza, Conjunto Amable, Linda Escobar, Katie Lee Ledezma, Conjunto Cats and special guests.
All ages are welcome, and the cover charge is $10 per person, with the proceeds going to the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund.
About Conjunto Music
Conjunto music is Texas “roots” music that dates back to the end of the 19th century. Like Blues and Traditional Country, it tells the stories of the everyday lives of the working class. It is also dance music, characterized by a strong, unrelenting beat and bright accordion melodies, evidence of the fusion of German and Mexican immigrant cultures in south Texas at the beginning of the 20th century. It was tremendously popular among working-class Hispanic Texans during the post-World War II era, before audiences began to flock to Tejano music, which was a heavily influenced by Orquesta, Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Country, beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s, nearly wiping out Conjunto on radio playlists everywhere.
In recent years, Conjunto has enjoyed a surge in popularity, thanks to the internet, the rise of younger groups, and new festivals in cities all over Texas and the rest of the country. It remains, however, a hidden gem in the history of American music and continues to fight for air time on the few remaining terrestrial Tejano music radio stations in Texas.
About the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund
The Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund was established by Linda Escobar to recognize the talents of young Conjunto musicians and awards scholarships annually to help them continue their education.
To date, the Fund has awarded over 50 scholarships to children from all over the state.
More information about Linda Escobar is available online at lindaescobar.com. If you would like to schedule an interview, please call 361-442-3962 or 361-726-9212, or email lindaescobar@live.com.
Filed under: Events Tagged: Conjunto Amable, Conjunto Cats, Eligio Escobar, Katie Lee Ledezma, Lazaro Perez, Linda Escobar, Los D Boyz, Ruben Garza, Santiago Garza
