Fiesta de La Feria’s 2018 Musical Lineup

Saturday, February 17th

Main St. & Business 83 • La Feria, TX

More info at: cityoflaferia.com

by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

With Fiesta right around the corner, the city looks forward to the annual celebration. While there are various activities for the public to enjoy throughout Fiesta, music is what makes the festival so entertaining. This year, the city is taking pride in the fact that all the performers are local residents of the Valley.

The La Feria High School Ballet Folklorico will be performing first followed by Ralph and the Cruisers, a south Texas Rock and Roll group based out of Harlingen. Around since the 60’s, the band dissolved a couple of times and eventually, when band leader Ralph Escobedo moved back to the Valley in 2003, he formed The Cruisers. As the group has evolved, so has the name; they are known today as Ralph and the Cruisers.

A conjunto and norteno group known as Inevitable will be next in taking the stage. The group, which will be providing the music for the dance contest, consists of several young men who graduated from La Feria High School.

Los Angeles del Sur will be performing for the 25th year in a row at Fiesta. According to administrative assistant and special events coordinator for the city, Tabitha M. Outlaw, Los Angeles del Sur, a conjunto group, have participated in Fiesta de La Feria since the very beginning in 1993.

Headlining this year’s event is Weslaco native, Roy Solis. The Grammy nominated country singer has performed at the State Farm Arena as the opener for musicians like Joe Nichols and Josh Turner.

The city looks forward to a big turnout at this year’s celebration and hopes the public enjoys the line-up of performances. Fiesta de La Feria will be taking place Saturday, Feb. 17, from 11 AM to 11 PM.

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INEVITABLE

The Rio Grande Valley is rich in heritage and culture. The musical history and culture of the Valley includes many genres of music such as Conjunto, Norteño and Tejano. Inevitable is a group of mainly teens, who want to continue to preserve Conjunto music, as well Tejano and Norteño music. Through their passion for our border music, Inevitable pays homage to the pioneering artists who inspire them. Their interpretation of classic hits are inevitably the driving force behind this young band. Inevitable is comprised of founding members Josué García (Accordion) and José María García (Bass) of La Feria, TX. Other members include Daniel “El Chapulin” Pérez (Bajo Quinto) of Brownsville, TX and David Martínez (Drums) of Santa Rosa, TX. Special guest artist, Benito A. García, Jr. (Accordion) of Austin, TX.  Performance at 2:30 p.m.

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RALPH AND THE CRUISERS

Ralph & the Cruisers play a variety of musical genres with oldies Rock-n-Roll as the core of their repertoire. This includes Pop, Rock, Country, Blues, Tejano, and Jazz with a focus on Hits and Standards from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. With a particular affinity for members of the Baby Boom Generation, their wide variety of music appeals to a diverse range of ages. A local award winning band, RALPH & THE CRUISERS have received THE ROCK & ROLL BAND OF THE YEAR five out of six times since the band’s inception. “God has blessed us with great fans and a terrific following.” Performance at 1:00 p.m.

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LOS ANGELES DEL SUR

Los Angeles del Sur are a traditional conjunto band from the Rio Grande Valley that is true to its roots in the delicvery and style. They have a true commitment to preserving conjunto music and demonstrates this unselfishly through their involvement in a variety of events. The band was formed 40 years ago by bandleader Joe Sanchez and has been entertaining conjunto music lovers ever since. Los Angeles del Sur have been featured in Washington D.C. as part of the Smithsonian’s Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin project. For Joe Sanchez and Los Angeles del Sur, the conjunto music of the Rio Grande Valley remains very much a working class family experience.  Performance at 5:30 p.m.

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REGRESSO

REGRESSO is a Tejano Band which was created on January 30, 2013 consisting of four talented individuals: NOE ALANIZ JR. from Rio Hondo Tx. (1st Voice, Accordion), ORLANDO MORALES from Blue Town Tx. (DRUMS), CARLOS ORTIZ from La Feria Tx. (Electric Bass) and lead owner and director of the band HECTOR ZUNIGA JR. from Santa Maria Tx. (2nd Voice, Bajo Sexto).
The band established the name REGRESSO as band member’s had previously played with other talented bands from the valley and after a lengthy break from the Music Industry and returning to the game, they agreed as a team to name their band REGRESSO. REGRESSO is a talented band bringing their own style of Tejano music from hit cover songs by various artists to their original composed music to the public, never excluding country music either. REGRESSO has had the HONOR to share the stage with numerous popular bands such as MICHAEL SALGADO, LOS PALOMINOS, JAIME Y LOS CHAMACOS, ZAMORALES, RICKY NARANJO JR., DAVID OLIVAREZ and many others. Like everyone, REGRESSO have famlies and full time jobs (PEACE OFFICER’S, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SCHOOL EDUCATOR!) and still manage to find the time to be part of the MUSIC INDUSTRY as they follow their family roots – playing in bands like their fathers, grandfathers and uncles before them. This year REGRESSO is HONORED to be performing at the 25TH FIESTA DE LA FERIA! Performance at 7:00 p.m.

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ROY SOLIS

Roy Solis is a positive guy. Kicked back in a lawn chair on a South Texas riverbank, he laughs as he thinks back over the past couple of years and the ups and downs navigating the music business. As he prepares for his current release, “Cowgirl Alright” he’s even more positive. “Cowgirl Alright” celebrates a common theme in a lot of Roy’s music: life’s short, find the time to enjoy it.

Although Roy has taken the stage with the likes of, Josh Abbott, Kevin Fowler and Reckless Kelly, his musical journey began back in grade school. “In the fifth grade I was in a talent contest and sang “Your Love” by the Outfield. I came in second, he laughs, to a baton twirler! But the positive feedback I got from my teacher made me feel like I had won and I was hooked”.
“As a kid growing up in the Texas valley, I listened to the rock stuff my older brothers listened to; Foreigner, Queen, Billy Squire, Styx and ZZ Top. I loved the Eagles and discovered them on my own. I was just mesmerized by their harmonies and the drive of their guitars. I also loved Billy Joel and, of course, Willie Nelson. I did turn away from singing for a while, when my voice changed, but I was ready to roll again the first time I heard Vern Gosdin’s “Set ‘Em Up Joe” . That song made me start seriously listening to different kinds of music. I fell in love with songs by Charlie Daniels, Johnny Rodriquez, George Strait and Garth. I always felt if I had the opportunity, that’s what I wanted to do”.

The path to the stage, for this Weslaco, Texas native, however, did have its fair share of distractions. He’s sold shoes, driven trucks, wrapped newspapers, mowed lawns and now spends his time away from the stage as a registered nurse. “I’ve had so many jobs, but I’ve just never felt more at home than I do when I am in front of an audience.” When he’s not on the road, you’ll still find him playing dance halls in South Texas.

“I finally started my own band and had some local success, but until I met another Weslaco native, Johnny Garcia (guitarist for Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood), I really didn’t know what to do with my music, recalls Roy. “His guidance was exactly what I needed to get going in the right direction. Garcia produced Roy’s first two singles, “Tailgate Party” and “Corpus Christi” and produced Roy’s album, titled Heartbreak Roulette and latest single.

With “Cowgirl Alright” on radio’s desk, this Texas boy can finally catch his breath, “We all need to kick back, like it says in the song—who cares if there’s bait on the hook or if we catch anything? For me, there’s nothing better than hanging out with my buddies on South Padre Island or taking a walk on the beach with my beautiful wife. Relaxing is really hard for some people. My advice? Be comfortable in your own boots and take time to enjoy the blessings in your life. I am”. Performance at 9:00 p.m.