Serrata-Book of Life;
*Serrata Archives:
The early 60s was when I started learning the accordion.
I would hang-out with some co-workers and just pick-up
whatever they were playing. The thing is, I didn't have an
accordion and that was very hard for me. So I decided to
tell my parents that I would pick cotton, work as hard as
I could, until we could afford to buy an accordion...
Well that was very hard also; but I never gave-up hope.
For 2 to 3 yaers , I had a Hohner 2 row red accordion on
layaway in Lubbock,TX.
Every year we worked over there; I would cry all the way
back to Robstown, because we couldn't afford to pay it off.
Finally on my 13th year, we got it out and I was the happiest
kid in the whole wide world...So I started playing in the hood,
parties and in bars. My brother Matias Jr played the guitar and
later bajo-sexto. My dream was to become a professional
musician, record, make money and help my family financially.
We continued to work the fields, which was not very productive
or profitable; in those days the "Gringo was dominent and cruel;
plus "pinche pa' pagar". Still I would work with my parents,
eventhough I hated that kind of work. So finally I started getting
some good gigs and then my 1st 45 rpm record,WOW !!!
Ok this is the way it was in the early 70s; I started Los Buenos in the
late 60s,1968 to be percise. I was playing accordion, Bobby Naranjo
played drums and Julio Cuellar guitar; "El Conjunto Lone Star" was
the name of the band; later on , Bobby joined Manuel Solis,who perished
in an auto-accident (5) miles west of Robstown,TX. thus leaving Bobby and
Beto Martinez jobless...Rene joined Beto Martinez y su Conjunto as 2nd
vocalist & bass player; with Bobby on accordion, Richard Perez-drums,
and Juan Medrano on guitar...
Short lived was this group; so Rene & Bobby broke loose and Los Buenos
were finally put on the map. The original members were; David Dinn-drums,
Fred Ochoa-guitar, Ralph Vela-back-up vocals, Bobby Naranjo-accordion
and Rene Serrata-lead vocalist & Leader...Then in eary 72, came Jessy Serrata-
back-up vocals and Jimmy Jimenez-drums. There's alot to say about Los Buenos;
which will come accordingly. Thats it for now; ***Rene Serrata*** 100% Chicano/Tejano...
In 1977 I joined Ham y Tortilla Factory after an abrupt halt of Los Buenos;
the guys were getting out of hand, especially Jessy. They were getting big heads
and air up their ass; so I stopped the band and nobody had a job except me...
Before long, I had signed a contract with Huey Mueax ABC-DOT record producer
and my 1st album with Tortilla Factory was out ; followed by a tour throughout the
USA. The highlight of that tour was when we performed @ the world famous,
Hollywood Paladuim,Los Angeles,CA; a showcase like I've never seen before;
an All Super Star Show & Concert,WOW !!!
It was an honor to have been part of such a professional band like "Tortilla Factory"...
Then in mid 78, Joe Cisneros de La Conexcion Mexicana called and asked me to help
him re-orginize the group; he said, I just fired Pio Trevino and the band...
I was very busy with Los Buenos, Tortilla factory, recording,touring and promoting.
Nevertheless, Joe offered good money, so I joined his band as Director/Arranger and
Lead-vocalist. Later, I brought Jessy in and we started touring again; 8 months of the year,
we were away from home, but the money was great ! We recorded (1) 8 track album and
didn't have time to record more, due to the travel...
Eventually this got to me; I missed my kids and my band Los Buenos. So I parted from Joe C
on a good note and started recording with Los Buenos again. I have never lost touch of my
roots and Los Buenos are my...
Rene Serrata 100% Chicano/Tejano***
The early 80s was the beginning of a decade with multiple hits and success for
Rene Serrata, while playing with Bobby Naranjo y Direccion. Good concerts,
dances,recordings and good money,is what kept Rene & Bobby together for
a long time. Now on CBS-International/Sony Discos we were going @ full-speed;
everything was clicking our way; to bad times are not like that anymore.
La onda Chicana was on a strong-hold then; now it's called La onda Tejana, that
is totally wrong. There must not be division in music culture, especially when it
comes to the roots of Tejano music. La musica chicana viene de Tejas,therefore
for those that do not know the history of Tejano music; it is called============
***La onda Chicana/Tejana***
more history soon;
Guess who this guys are,win 10 Tejano CDs; family friends,
not eligible;(2) names, one
chance only !!!
This are the first (4) 45 rpm records I recorded with a major label;
*El Zarape Records, Dallas,Texas de Johnny Gonzales...
Then came my 1st album titled **Conoscan' Los Buenos**,
after that came TV shows, radio talk-shows and an extended
USA Tour. This was the time de la onda Chicana; Conjuntos y Orquestas
de Tejas, were dominating the circuit in the US & Mexico...
more history to come;
1970-1971
Lost album and picture de Los Buenos.
Another lost album picture, while working with Los Chachos...
Left to right; Sam Deleon, Rene Serrata, Henry (Killer)Jimenez, Juan Soliz, Frankie Caballero,
Ernie(Big Cat)Ruiz and Cha-Cha Jimenez...
The year was 1966 already la onda chicana was strong; Los Reales de Beeville,TX. were
touring throughout the USA ; Pete Amador was playing bajo-sexto at that time and Arturo Arguijo was mgr.
Left to right;Jessy,Beto Morales
Butch Vidrio,Ramon Garcia and
Rene Serrata...
The year was 1959, (3) Legends went on tour to Michigan; Juan Sifuentes bass/vocals,
Manuel Solis-vocals and Amadeo Flores on
accordion;other members were,Joe Garcia
and Isidro Gonzalez. Another stepping stone
for la onda chicana...
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