CharroBeans: A Mariachi Podcast

The CharroBoys were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Mariachi Spectacular this week. It was surreal talking to you guys at a conference we grew up attending for many years. We talked about ways to continue playing mariachi after high school, our personal experience as working mariachis, and also did a live CharroChat with you guys. Thanks to everybody who came out to the live episode. We appreciate you.

The CharroBoys make a special announcement. We'll see you guys at the 35th Mariachi Spectacular in ABQ. We will be doing a live podcast on July 8th at 1pm. See you there! We also get into Sammy playing with Luis Angel "El Flaco", missing work, and playing at a gig that got way out of control. Who tries to fight with the mariachis tho, seriously?

The CharroBoys are back to catch you up on last week. We talk Victor joining a trio, Sammy’s visit to Cancun, getting a canceled flight, and our boss having to fill in on vihuela. We also got into playing with a sub that showed up late and with no instrument, and the World Cup.

The CharroBoys were on different instruments this week. Sammy hopped on guitarron, and Victor was on harp. As we get older, that affected our bodies. We talk about how it felt to get pains in new places, getting tired in different ways, and also your responses for the most tired you've gotten after gigging. Come hang, charros. 

The CharroBoys talk graduation season. We reminisce, talk our career path after graduation. Memories, competitions, free trajes are some of what we discuss. Victor had to leave early, so we have a surprise cameo in this episode. Come hang, dweebs. 

The CharroBoys feel the effects of another Mother's Day weekend. We get into being busy every day since 5 de Mayo, mothers not reacting to mariachis, mariachis taking advantage of the holidays, and our bodies holding up after so many hours. We also reminisce about our first Dia de Las Madres weekends.

The CharroBoys catch up after having to delay last week’s episode because of a huge hail storm that rocked Fort Worth. After a client specifically asked for Poeta y Campesino, we talk about procrastinating for it, how we felt playing it at a small intimate wedding, and we lap get into Sammy taking his students to the TAME competition this past weekend. This was the most stressful gig we had in a long time. 

The CharroBoys discuss the Karol G mariachi performance at Coachella. After the talks surrounding the alleged affiliation to ties of polarizing viewpoints, we discuss our feelings about the situation. We get into representing what you preach, communities being affected, and how lack of speaking up can cause people to fill in the blanks. We’re all about healthy discussion and not attacking anyone. We allow you to form your opinions yourself. We hope our talk gives you some insight on how we feel about this situation as working mariachis that love and care about this music and community.

The CharroBoys talk the downfall of mariachi. What could cause it? Is it lack of innovation, greed, the economy, or maybe just a huge scandal? We discuss your answers. 

The CharroBoys talk hard pills to swallow in mariachi. Whether it’s abut never getting rich off of music, harsh realities, losing your spot to a family member, or just plain knowledge of rep, we discuss your responses. We also talk about playing with a guy from Guadalajara and other gigs we did this week. Come hang, charros. 

The CharroBoys were apart this week agin, this time with Sammy attending All Region mariachi. We get into running into old friends, the region process, and Victor working with my sub with Allende. Come hang, charros. 

The CharroBoys caught up with eachother this week. Victor was the boss at the planta this week while Sammy traveled to Guadalajara for the first time. We get into picking up a Jorge Arandia vihuela in Ajijic, exploring el centro histórico, and visiting el taller de Roberto Morales. There’s a lot that happened. 

The CharroBoys read your mariachi hot takes. After discussing the longest weekend we’ve played this year, we get into your responses like rep is the most important thing in mariachi, using music sheets at gigs, mariachis in big groups still struggling to live off music, and mariachis lacing commitment. This one long, but good. *that’s what she said*

The CharroBoys had a freestyle episode. We talk about talking with smelly charros during the gig, not getting an address for the gig, seeing the generation of teenagers, having to miss gigs because of life. Come hang, charros. 

The CharroBoys talk about how old habits never seem to die. We talk about issues in a mariachi that affected them back in the day, and seem to still be a problem today. We talk old heads disrespecting the new charros, “performance enchancers”, and people using their phones to read lyrics. Also had a conga about AI taking over musicians job in a couple years. Rip creativity. 

The CharroBoys get into legends talk. After Leyendas del Mariachi came out with a U.S.A group, the mariachi community is choosing sides, apparently? We get into what we've seen as consumers of mariachi content and also discuss your answers, too. We also get into other things like having only one serenade this weekend, Sammy taking his students to the Mariachi State Festival, and Victor playing 5 hours with a new group. Come hang, charros. 

The CharroBoys celebrate Victor’s birthday by recording an episode for y’all. Victor recalls a gig where horses were threatening violence and Sammy talk about his experience attending TMEA in San Antonio this past weekend. Meeting new people, reconnecting with old acquaintances, and seeing students big talent shine in the All State concerts. 

The CharroBoys were off because of scheduling and a freeze that took over Texas. We're thawed off now, getting into what we've been up to. Victor has been gigging with other groups, Sammy's school competition got postponed, and we endured the ice storm for 5 days. Come hang.

The CharroBoys had no work this week. After not getting any chamba with our regular group, Victor se fue de maroma with another group while Sammy acted as a civilian. We get into Sammy being a husband for a weekend, playing with a group with different rep, we ask you guys what you do when you're not working. Makes the weekend feel so long fr.

The CharroBoys are back after a lil breaky break. We get into what we’ve been up to the last couple weeks like buying a car in Utah and Victor post-grad. We also get into if we’ve ever been discriminating against in a traje. We talk how the political climate could be affecting our mariachi and Hispanic community. 

The CharroBoys survived Virgencita weekend, barely. Sammy is sick and recounts with Victor the 21 hours they spent playing over the span of four days. And in the middle of all that, Victor graduated from his university and had to clock right back in immediately after. We get into other things like waking up early for misas, Sammy playing for the Dallas Marathon, and playing a spontaneous 4-hour gig for the famous Incredible Man. So much happened in one weekend, we barely made it.

The CharroBoys get into the cold weather starting. Accommodation at gigs seems nonexistent sometimes. We also get into Victor finally graduating from massage school later this week, our boss's 40th birthday bash, a surprise early Virgen gig, and playing at a very expensive house. Have you ever played in 20 degree weather? 

The CharroBoys took Thanksgiving week off. Sammy went to Mexico and had his little brother cover him. We also get into Sammy's birthday, having relative pitch, and not being able to enjoy anything when you are musically inclined. Mexico has the best snacks.

The CharroBoys talk memorable performances. Sammy talks about performing with Los Rieleros again, we recall performances that live rent free in our heads. We also get into mariachi degrees and teaching, Victor performing a Carnegie Hall, watching Tlen Huicani and watching other big mariachi groups. 

The CharroBoys had a week of so we catch you up. We talk playing on Halloween, playing with a pair of matching brothers, marrying a white girl as a Hispanic, and Dia De Los Muertos becoming much bigger in the US. Freestyle episode ready for ya.

The CharroBoys had to be the boss for the day. Our boss couldn't go to the planta, so we had to be the caiman and sound guys this week. We also had to be the jefe and lead the group of ringers. After hearing that we had a reputation of being marros, today's topic is what's the craziest thing you've heard about yourself in the mariachi world? You know, since mariachis never gossip. Right?

The CharroBoys freestyle this episode. We get into the non-existent fall weather, priests wildin' out during the misas, playing at a rained-out wedding, having to spend all day together, and playing for a quinceañera while it's being shut down. Come listen, or else.

The CharroBoys had a late recording sesh. We tackle the weekend's surprise workload, but also delve into mariachi instruments. We recall why we decided to play the instrument we currently play. Also, your responses like how it became a way to score chicks, there was no other option, or the other instruments were simply too difficult. Where would we be if we chose differently? We discuss. 

The CharroBoys saw a video of Vargas performing and struggling to hit some notes on their vocals. It brought up a good topic. Have we not all been in that situation before? We discuss how we would react in that situation, getting the yips when we perform, losing our voice with sickness, and other reasons we can be off our game. Come debate with us, yo. 

The CharroBoys, fresh off a funeral gig, discuss some of their recent performances. We also get into how being a mariachi forces you to be social, how Sammy felt singing at his wedding, playing for his taquero, and feeling sad that he doesn't remember Sammy. Also, Victor has a mustache now. 

The CharroBoys talk about the older generation of mariachis. As you know, we all have a different upbringing and introduction to mariachi. Some of us learn from our parents, teachers, or local maestros. The older generation can have wisdom that gets passed down to different generations, but it can also mean it comes with challenges. We get into thoughts and concerns of older charros and our personal stories. Getting paid half of everyone else, lacking technique at an old age, and your body being held to a high standard. This one's for all the old heads, like us.

The CharroBoys talk love. As a musician, it can be difficult to maintain and even find time for relationships. Can love and mariachi coexist? We get into your responses like marrying a fellow mariachi performer, bad experiences, and what it takes to keep your partner happy.  Come listen to our love ballad. 

The CharroBoys talk about what our biggest regrets in our mariachi careers are. We dive into your responses and also discuss clients asking to pay per song at a gig, is the grass really greener on the other side, can you put a price tag on experience, reverse caimanear, and having a plan B to a mariachi career. Jam-packed episode! 

The CharroBoys get into gig repertoire. As working mariachis, we don't usually hire other musicians. That being said, we figure we have an idea of what we would ask for if given the opportunity. We talk about paying for mariachi talon, asking for flashy songs, Sammy's wedding mariachi, and how mariachi songs can enhance the vibe of the situation it is being performed at. As long as you don't ask for Amor Eterno for a wedding, we're good.

The Charroboys talked about everything that happened this past weekend since we had no topic this week. Felt like those old episodes where we have a weekend recap. We get into a table not knowing that they have to pay for songs, Sammy watching his sister perform with Lupita Infante, why everybody keeps asking for mariachi loco, the heat, and getting threatened to play only happy songs . Is In-N-Out really better than Whataburger?

The CharroBoys dealt with a client who had the AUDACITY. As you know, clients who hire a mariachi can be your best friend or very quickly become a nightmare. We discuss a gig where we had to deal with an angry DJ and his Optimus Prime,  how alcohol at chambas can negatively impact you, and crazy song requests that make us worry about mariachi music relevance in the near future. Come listen pls.

The CharroBoys had a take a week off for personal reasons but we’re back, boi. We get into why and then get a lil philosophical. What’s something you wish you could tell “past” you about being a mariachi/musician? After living through things like learning a bunch of rep, interacting with caimanes, people talking behind your back, what would you say to warn yourself? We get into it and your responses, too. Come listen👂🏽

The CharroBoys are back after two weeks. Sammy went to Mexico and Albuquerque so he talks about his travels. We also discuss our experiences with mariachi conferences, like the Albuquerque Mariachi Spectacular. Victor missed out. 

The CharroBoys discuss a recent gig where a person threatened to hurt people at the gig we were supposed to play at. Got us thinking, what’s a situation where you felt like you were in danger? As musicians, we never know where or what we’re playing for until we actually get there. It can get scary real quick. We into your responses like being held at gunpoint, accidentally dancing with someone’s girl, and bulls running towards you. 

The CharroBoys discuss cool experiences we've had because of mariachi. After Sammy discusses accompanying several artists this week, we discuss how mariachi can help open many doors in your musical and personal career. We get into your responses, and also a gig that had us walk to the other side of town in the rain. Not fun. 

The CharroBoys celebrate 5 years of CharroBeans Podcast. As much as we want this to be a place where you unwind, It’s hard to not speak of the atrocious things happening currently to our communities. Mariachi is Mexico’s music for the world and the people we play for and interact with are being targeted right now in the cruelest of ways. Do not stop speaking your voice and continue to bring awareness to the unjust treatment of our people. Keep you and your loved ones safe. 🇲🇽 We also get into what makes a mariachi run efficiently. Whether it’s communication, leaving your ego at the door, or charisma, we discuss what makes or breaks a group. 

The CharroBoys discuss awkward gig moments. Everyone knows how we’re put in the strangest of situations at these performances. Whether it’s dedicating sad songs for weddings, clients arguing with each other, proposals gone wrong, or getting hit on by older people, we’d do it all over again and again. We discuss. 

The CharroBoys talk mariachi etiquette. A mariachi means you have to work as a team, right? What makes a good compañero? What’s mariachi drama? Should mariachis be clean shaven? We get into all your responses. 

The CharroBoys went through some rough weather here in Texas. Whether it’s severe thunderstorms, snow, or desert heat, clients seem to always put us in the most unfortunate of circumstances. We discuss rain on your instrument and playing in sub zero temps. How much should a mariachi charge? Mas barato o más caro? 

The CharroBoys are exhausted. Mother’s Day Marathon has come and gone. 20 hours of gigging later, we recount the events such as shooting pew pews for someone’s mom, showing up for a prank serenade, applying sunscreen wrong, and body parts hurting more this year. We’re getting old, y’all. 

The CharroBoys, fresh off their last Cinco de Mayo gig, are tired. Heading into the next round of gigs with Mother’s Day coming up, we get into playing for the elderly at retirement homes, Sammy playing for NASCAR, and gigs where you think “how did I get here?” Mariachi can take you to some weird places, man.  

The CharroBoys get into mariachi rep. How much rep do you need to actually start gigging professionally? We talk about learning theory, learning the staples of mariachi, and finding the most requested songs in your region. All we know is it’s never enough 🥲

The CharroBoys get into a conversation about what the hardest thing about being a mariachi is. Is it the long hours, never seeing your friends or family on weekends, unstable work? We discuss.

The CharroBoys discuss which clients are the best to play for. After playing for some people who knew nothing about mariachi rep, it got us thinking about which clients make the gig easier or more challenging to go through. We also discuss playing at a disorganized wedding, our inicios in mariachi, and making it in the big leagues of mariachi, along with its challenges. Would you pursue a dream of playing with a nationally recognized group?

The CharroBoys get into if there’s too many groups in DFW, hanging out and visiting our middle school’s crib, and playing gigs that never ever seem to end. Victor lo caimaniaron so hard on Christmas Day. Also, what constitutes a popurrí? We discuss.