Photo: The All Veterans Band was active in Silver City around 1946. From left to right: Julián Espinosa, Henry Espinosa, Victor Ornelas, Ralph Vásquez, Mike Vásquez, Manuel Hernández, Rudy Vásquez and Art Montoya. Photo courtesy of Ralph Vásquez.
Silver City, NM – The Grant County Chicano Music Project continues to film local musicians from the past and present for a documentary to premiere as one of the highlights of the Chicano Music Festival scheduled for August 31, 2013 on the Western New Mexico University campus.
Several former bands and individual musicians already filmed include Latin Image, the Starlighters, the Starliners, the Dynamics, Ritmo Alegre and Zeke and the Ambassadors. Photos and memorabilia have been collected from the filmed bands and from other musical groups including the All Veterans Orchestra, the Latineers, the Al Marrufo Orchestra, the Pan American Orchestra, the Lancers, and the Royal Tones. Filming will continue until May of 2013 with efforts to include as many bands as possible. Once completed, the documentary will celebrate the history of Grant County Chicano musicians from the post-World War II era to the present.
Local Chicano musicians are encouraged to submit an entry in the songwriting contest. The winning song will be used as the theme song for the documentary. On June 1, 2013 the public will have the opportunity to hear the finalists perform their songs and have input into the final selection.
This project is a joint effort between WNMU and the community and the project's executive committee invites the public to submit photos, memorabilia, music, contact information on musicians that have moved out of Grant County, vintage pictures of local dance halls, photos taken at dances from the 1940's to the present, photos of musicians that have passed away and any other items that could be used for the documentary and exhibit.
"The true story of Grant County musicians can only be told if the community comes forward and shares their photos and memories," said Patricia Cano, executive committee member. The committee may be contacted for submissions at
Many former members of local bands are practicing together again in preparation for a special performance at Old James Stadium on the day of the festival. Other musicians interested in performing may contact Sammy Silva at 575-313-4788 before the April 30, 2013 deadline.
The committee is seeking food vendors, artisan vendors, and community and university groups that would like to have a booth at the festival. The booth entry fee is $25.00 for groups not affiliated with WNMU.
The Chicano Music Festival will also feature a car and motorcycle show with numerous categories including original, custom car, custom truck, low-rider, muscle car, hot rod, 4 x 4, Euro and under construction. The motorcycle categories will be original and custom. The project is teaming up with "Rides Unlimited", a newly formed car club in the area, to put on the show. Anyone interested in entering the car show may contact Peter Magdaleno at 575-313-9322 or Danny Vásquez at 575-590-1269.
Vendor applications, car show entry forms, songwriting contest guidelines, sponsorship opportunity information, a schedule of events and other information about the music project are available at http://www.wnmu.edu/chicanomusicproject.
Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.
