Yo no me encuentro a mí mismo donde me busco. Me encuentro por sorpresa cuando menos lo espero.~Barón De Montesquieu

During the course of the three years I invested time and energy to learning and hearing corridos I followed a group. I was running around asking for interviews. And for whatever reason never coincided with Fuerza de Tijuana.

Durante el curso de tres años  inverti mi tiempo y energia en aprender y escuchar corridos segui a este grupo. Corriendo a donde quiera tratando de obtener entrevistas por alguna razon nunca pude considir con Fuerza de Tijuana.

Recently graduated with my master's from The University of Arizona, I saw that they would be performing in Tucson. I sent them messages on social media, as these things go I had no responses, until the night before when one of them responded.

Recientement graduada de la Universidad de Arizona con mi maestria, vi que estarian en Tucson. Les mande mensajes en las redes sociales, como suele ser no tenia contestacion de ellos, pero el dia antes recibi un mensaje de uno de ellos.

It felt like the beginning of my research, or maybe I was nostalgic.............

Sentia como si fuera el principio de mis estudios, o quisa estaba nostalgica..............

With the uncertainty of having an opportunity to meet and talk to them, I didn't come with camera equipment, instead I decided I wanted to go hear them and enjoy their music. Of course, like any researcher and used to sitting and having a dialogue with the groups/performers I really hoped to hear their thoughts and gather a bit more.

Con la incertindumbre de no saber si tendria una oportunidad de verlos y platicar, decidi no llegar con equipo de camara, mejor decidi que queria escuchar y disfrutar su presentacion. Por supuesto como cualquier investigador y acostumbrada a sentarme y tener dialogo con los grupos/interpretes realmente esperaba ansiosamente escuchar sus ideas y pensamientos, reunir un poco mas de informacion.

Never catching a break, mind you I was out of commission (ha!) I arrived at the venue, I admit I got pretty for the night. Which really was nice, I was usually rushing like a maniac trying to confirm and make sure I got to the group(s) before they got busy with the presentations. But this time I took time for me. I even did glitter eyeliner (things were this serious).

Nunca teniendo una quebrada, ten encuenta que estaba fuera de servicio (ha!) llegue al evento, admito que me puse bonita para la noche. Que fue agradable, normalmente andaba corriendo como loca tratando de confirmar y asegurarme que tuviera tiempo con los entegrantes antes de que ellos se ocuparan en su evento Pero esta vez me tome tiempo en mi, hasta me puse delineador de ojos con brillos. (las cosas eran serias).

Upon their arrival I went to the van and saw the guys. I introduced myself and asked for the band member who I had been in contact with. The guy I was talking to said they didn't have anyone by that name. I was so disappointed. I immediately assumed that I had mistakenly sent messages to someone who was pulling my leg.

Al llegar me acerque a la van y vi a unos muchachos. Me introduci y les pregunte si estaba alli el muchacho que me contesto. El muchacho con el que hablaba me dijo que no tenian a nadien en el grupo con el nombre de instagram que yo mencionaba. Estaba tan decepcionada. Immediatamente imagine que me equivoque y habia mandado mensajes a una persona que nomas me contesto y estaba jugando conmigo.

Luckily I saw this person behind the guy I was talking to, and I was like "Hey!" did I speak to you via instagram and it was HIM!!

Afortunadamente vi a una persona atras del muchacho con el que estaba hablando, yo le dije "hey! eres tu el muchacho con el que estaba hablando en instragram y si era EL!!"

I completely bypassed the guy I was talking to (sorry Hector) and introduced myself to Jesse.

Yo deje de hablar con el muchacho (disculpa Hector) y camine hacia el otro y me intreduci a Jesse.

I honestly had never felt so comfortable talking to someone in that environment. Jesse had such a great welcoming personality. I talked about my research, asked him a few questions, laughed a lot. (friends, he has a cute smile and shiny eyes). 

Honestamente nunca habia estado tan comfortable hablando con alguien en ese ambiente. Jesse tenia una personalidad acogedora. Hable con el sobre mi estudio, le pregunte varias preguntas, nos reimos mucho. (Amigos, tiene una sonrisa curiosa y ojos brillantes). 

I was able to watch the entirety of their performance, and I loved every second of it. They are talented, and you can see they absolutely have a calling for the music and the singing. 

Fui capaz de ver la totalidad de su actuacion, me encanto cada segundo de la presentacion. Son talentonsos. Se nota y ve que tienen el llamado para la musica y el canto. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to interview them, or ask them the questions I usually do. 

Desafortunadament no tuve la oportunidad de entrevistarlos, o preguntarles las preguntas que suelo hacer. 

We have a pending date friends! 

Tenemos una fecha pendiente amigos! 

Although I can't promise you'll truly feel their presence on stage via this video; I hope you enjoy it. Go see them, you will leave satisfied and appreciative of their music. 

Aunque no puedo prometer que realmente sentiran la presensia que tienen en el escenario atraves de este video espero que lo disfruten. Les aconsejo que vayan a verlos en una presentacion. Les prometo que estaran muy complacidos. 

Thanks guys! 

Gracias muchachos!

If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything ~Malcolm X

Throughout this magical experience I embarked on I seldom speak of the people behind the scenes. Sure, I give you my take on the musicians. I expand on the interactions, my observations, the environment and much more. 

I have never talked about those people who are the driving force, the support, and the ones who make these musicians. 

Today I will do both. I will take you on my private moments with special people who I met through this research, who I consider friends and who I respect and care for. 

Last year I was done filming but decided to do one more interview, if you ask any researcher they will tell you that the hardest part is stopping. Sometimes you want to do more, go for more, but eventually you have to remind yourself that the project/study/research is not long term. 

I would be lying if I told you that I didn't hound down the record company. I called, texted, called, texted daily until I had a conversation with Tony. I am so glad he didn't hang up on me. Truthfully, I didn't need the interview but I am so very glad I did get it. 

I knew of the group I was going to interview, they were hitting on the radio stations and they had a good sound and their corridos were on point. 

So, Tony told me I could have the interview and that his partner Brian would help me with the interview. I directed Tony to my blog, and told him he could ask me all the questions he would want before the interview. 

I had no idea who Tony or Brian were. I just went with it. So, Brian was ever so helpful I drove to their hotel and had Brian come down to my car. I wanted to go over the questions and make sure he understood my purpose. 

Both Tony and Brian are what I consider Xicanos. So it was easy to have a conversation with Brian. We left no topic untouched. I loved how interactive Brian was and I must confess I connected easily with him because we were able to have deep conversations and it felt like I was talking to an old friend. 

I interviewed Grupo H100 and had some nice jokes with the guys. I was at an awkward spot back stage, so I barely saw the performance. I did though see how much the audience and the ladies loved them. 

After the concert I bid them farewell. Several weeks later I began conversations about the corrido contest the University of Arizona puts on yearly and a potential sponsorship from Alianza. 

This is when I began to have more conversation and interaction with Brian and Tony. It wasn't until January of 2017 that we were able to sit down and formally discuss this collaboration between the UA and Alianza Records. (http://alianzarecords.bigcartel.com/) 

Our talks continue, but the friendships I formed with these two men have grown. I have had their support, their consejos, sometimes their scolding....but overall I have seen their love and passion as owners, and employers of not just their musicians but their staff as well. They have a distinct manner in which they have decided to run their empire and it fits. In this genre, and in the followers they have and keep adding to.  

I just recently saw Grupo H100 in Phoenix, and was able to observe, enjoy and see the group out on stage. I realized that they have a very unique position. They are bringing a "gordito sexy" trend. The audience which was the most diverse I had seen in the past four years consisted of couples, women from 21 and up, but a lot of Xicanos who didn't necessarily fit that typical attendee stereotype. The girls love the group and the appeal is definitely strong. I can honestly tell you that they are all teddy bears. Huggable, approachable and talented. In a genre that has many musicians, and some artists that don't necessarily sing, Jasiel has a wonderful voice and sings wonderfully. (https://www.instagram.com/jasielfelixh100/?hl=en)

I can only wish for the best for both Grupo H100 and my friends Tony and Brian.