Los Fantasmas del Valle play la musica tejana, also called "Tex-Mex" or conjunto, a lively style originating in the late 19th century when German, Czech, and Polish immigrants introduced the button accordion into Mexican working-class communities in southern Texas.
Prior to this time, the music in this region was a mix of traditional Mexican genres and popular European dances such as the polka, schottische, mazurka, and waltz. Over the next 50 years, a new form evolved, combining the accordion sound with this dance music. By the early 1930s the modern conjunto style had emerged as a vibrant and distinctive Tex-Mex fusion. A boisterous music performed primarily for dancing, it revolves around the sounds of the accordion and the bajo sexto, a 12-string guitar-like instrument that adds a bass rhythm. Electric bass and drums were added later, beginning in the 1950s.
Los Fantasmas del Valle formed in 1968 in Mercedes, Texas, a city in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Known to locals simply as "El Valle," the region's a hotbed of conjunto (which literally means "group") music. Inspired by the lyrics of their first recorded song, "Mis Pasos Andaran," about a young man whose ghost still haunts the girl he loved, the group adopted the name "Fantasmas" (ghosts). Since then, Los Fantasmas del Valle have made more than 45 recordings in their 39 years together, and performed all over the U.S. and in Mexico. Founding members Hector Barron (bass, vocals) and Julian Figueroa (bajo sexto, vocals) were joined in 1992 by drummer Cruz Gonzalez. The group's newest member, 23-year-old Rodney Rodriguez (accordion) from Rio Grande City, joined in May of 2000. He replaced Mike Gonzalez, who contributed to the success of the group for more than 25 years before leaving for health reasons.
This Valley -style music, which is accepted throughout the state of Texas as true Tejano music, is perfect for dancing and having a great time. This four piece band has steady driving rhythms and vocal harmonies that make all who hear them want to dance and sing along. Their rendition of old folk songs interpreted in their unique style truly make these songs their own. The interplay of voices and the tightness of the music as a whole is something that can only come from years of working together and getting it right. To hear Los Fantasmas del Valle is to hear something not found in nearly enough Tejano music, confident maturity.
For booking info. please contact Hector Barron at (956)565-3645
Just enjoying my day and wish to say happy greetings to everyone! It's a beautiful day in Conjunto City, TX USA (Corpus Christi).
My new cd with La Kreazion will be out in mid August 2008 and I hope you will think it's great! I did it especially for you, my fans - my friends and all my family and YOUR families!
hola que tal amigos un saludo muy especial para ustedes,los invito para que chequen mi nuevo haupango que acabo de subir a mi pagina esta disponible por si lo quieren grabar saludos de su amigo *JOSE BASILIO*<>COMPOSITOR GRUPERO
hi guys just wannna say thanks and to let u all know u all r great...keep up the great job...que nunca muera la musica de conjunto....god bless u all always, take care and good luck....
Hi!! Saw that you guys were on, and I just wanted to stop by to Thank you For being a MySpace friend of mine. And to thank you for the music you create. Because of this, I have "Bellos Recuerdos" of my Grandfather. Many thank yous to you. ~JULIE aka DAVEYS
