Friday, March 29, Totally Tejano Fridays continue at Tejano Ranch with The Hometown Boys. One of Tejano music’s beloved bands comes back to the Live Music Capital of the World armed with a catalog full of polkas, classic hits, and new releases for the crowd at the north Austin Tejano club.
Originally from Lubbock, the family band rose to fame in the 1990s, enjoying success unheard of for most conjuntos. They built their trademark sound on beautifully blended vocal harmonies, which were supported by a strong, steady, unrelenting conjunto beat and accentuated by the sharp, edgy, smooth accordion of Joe Martinez. Hits like “Los Barandales Del Puente,” “Aquel Amor,” and “El Pintor” (penned by Austin’s own Johnny Degollado), continue to dominate playlists at Tejano music stations and in clubs.
Sadly, the band has suffered unimaginable tragedies. With the untimely deaths of brothers Roman Martinez Jr. at age 45 in 1997, Joe at age 34 in 1998, Jesse (also at age 34) in 2002, and Ricky at age 48 in 2007, they not only lost band members, they lost family. Despite these losses, patriarch and bajo sexto player Roman Martinez Sr. continues to perform all their hits alongside son Bobby and daughter Rosie Perea to packed houses and die-hard fans all around the country. Accordionist Anthony Treviño has done well learning the signature Joe Martinez style, and the group has had success with several lead singers, including the group’s most recent addition, Michael Gutierrez.
Long story short: They still jam and play all the favorites.
Tejano Ranch is located at 7601 North Lamar, just south of Highway 183 in north Austin. The doors open at 8 p.m. The cover charge is $8 before 9 p.m, and $10 cover after 9 p.m. 18+ are welcome. Visit the event page on Facebook here.
