The Father of Conjunto

This time of year, when Oktoberfests are in full swing, polkas are played throughout our great state. From Galveston to Fredericksburg to Muenster, folks celebrate the music and culture of Germany. One man who was influenced by the music of the Texas Germans and Czechs was Narciso Martinez, a Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, native known as the "Father of Conjunto." Martinez, an accordion player, was also called the "Hurricane of the Valley" for his fast, energetic style. Today is the 106th anniversary of his birth. To celebrate this Texas music legend, here is "Viva Laredo":

Also, here is a short article about Narciso Martinez from the Texas State Historical Association, an organization I recently joined:

https://texasdaybyday.com/