Born in Silver City, New Mexico, Bobby learned all the old
Mexican “paisano†songs from his parents - both of whom
played guitar and sang - and from co-workers in the onion,
cotton, and lettuce fields. His love of harmony (evidenced in his music) comes from his parents too. He sang in the school choir as well as in a variety of quartets and groups, and then added bass and violin to his talents.
Once Bobby started playing in bands in high school he was hooked and his career soon encompassed many diverse venues -a tour through Texas, performances (as a musician that is) in a variety of strip clubs in the Southwest, and nightclubs in Mexico. Bobby and his band were the only non-black performers to play in the Ebony Clubs (nightclubs in Texas whose audience and performers were only African American) and they performed with music legends Bo Diddly and Chuck Barry, among others. Of those years, Bobby says, “I learned a lot - including some music........â€.
Bobby learned to specialize on an instrument called a “requinto†- the small guitar tuned higher than a standard guitar, mostly used for romantic Mexican songs. He won two New Mexico music awards in 2000 for best bilingual song of the year and best duet song of the year. He was nominated for songwriter of the year 2006.
In 1997 Bobby started a Mariachi school for kids, teaching students aged 5 to 18 to play the various instruments that make up a Mariachi group. Currently fifty students attend, and those between ages 5 and 10 must bring a parent or grandparent to learn with them so that they can practice at home. This part of the program is really satisfying because the child and the adult have to spend time together on weekends and music makes for a special bond. Once students can play at least 18 songs they advance to the performing group, and the fees paid to the school for performances
are divided among the students and placed in a scholarship fund. Graduating students then get their scholarship funds for college, trade school, military, etc.
Bobby’s two CD releases available here are very different from each other. Consejo del Papa is a moving one song tribute to Pope John Paul VI. Amor Con Guitarra is an eight selection compilation of Bobby’s original songs and his translations of other tunes.
Take a listen.............
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.dynamicmusic.com/bvillegas/Track List:
1. Oye Doctor
2. Yo Te Creo
3. Te Amare Toda La Vida
4. A Taste of Me
5. Dame Tu Amour Este Ano
6. Oye
7. Cancion De Navidad
8. Navidad Mexicana
Suggested CDs:
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