Little Joe Hernandez y la Familia
Interview with Joe and Johnny Hernández, founding members and leaders of the popular Chicano band Little Joe, Johnny and La Familia. They discuss their beginnings as Little Joe and the Latinaires, their problems as a Chicano band, and the increasing popularity of Chicano music, especially among anglo audiences. Joe speaks first about their current work fundraising for various organizations like LULAC and their efforts to attract an Anglo audience. He also talks a little about the way Chicano dancing and music has permeated pop culture through disco music.
Johnny then explains how he joined his brother’s group in the early 1960s when they played with David Coronado and the Latinaires. He says that since then, they have sought to modernize their music while keeping the tempo and beat the same. The two brothers discuss how their early life as migrants has shaped their music and explain that their music originates in the songs written in the fields. In fact, their dad has written several of their songs, including some that describe the lifestyle of the campesino. Their music also incorporates several social themes, including police brutality and racism. The two brothers believe that their music help keep people informed and conscious of the problems plaguing the Chicano community.
The two brothers then discuss their plans for the future, which include writing country songs, broadening their audience and developing a film about their lives.
KEYWORDS
American GI ForumBob Welch
California
Campesinos
Cesar Chavez
Chicano Music
Country Music
Crossover Music
Dance
David Coronado and the Latinaires
Disco
Discrimination
El Corrido del West
Family
Farm Workers
Film
Freddy Fender
Humor
James Drury
Joe Hernandez
Johnny Hernandez
Johnny Rodriguez
La Pasta House
Las Nubes
Las Truchas y las Jaibas
League of United Latin American Citizens
Little Joe y la Familia
Los Angeles
midwest
Migrant Life
Migrants
Music
Music and politics
Police Brutality
Polka
Ranchera Music
Recording Industry
Redoba
Tejano Music
Texas Farm Workers
The Latinaires
Two step
Urban Cowboy
Vals
Waltz
Western Music