A padrino, or "godfather", has both cultural and religious significance. All of us are convinced that faith, familial and cultural values are integral parts of who we are as persons. Besides, our second choice was "Los Crazy Pi?atas"

As often as we can, mostly around the San Antonio TX area.

Perhaps. Dios mediante. We are not too interested in landing a "major" record deal. We keep our feet on the ground and are not looking for success in the "Tejano Music Industry" (whatever that really is or was). We find more meaning in the "Cultural Industry" which is art, music, ideology, values, and everything that has to do with our Mexican-American identities.

Los Padrinos began as an idea born from a love for Tex-Mex music. Martin and Juan met through a previous band that was very active in the "Tejano" music scene around San Antonio, Tx. They both shared a love for traditional conjunto of South Texas and Northern Mexico. After Juan left that band, he decided to take up the Bajo Sexto (the traditional rhythm guitar used in that style of music) and write songs. During a hiatus from playing, Martin and Juan would meet and just play the old songs (las viejitas)- and from there developed the interest in recording a CD of traditional and original music - "Fe, Familia, y Tradicion" was born.
Forming a new group was not part of their plans until they got a call to perform, (someone heard their music on KEDA radio in San Antonio) - at that point they had to scramble to get a group together (with no practice time in between!) Needless to say it was a pretty rough start to their conjunto career!
Since then, the group has formed quite a unit since their debut in January of 2005. Their past experience in playing in front of large crowds has helped them to bring a sense of "familia" to those who listen. Since that time they have entertained (and even educated) people with their traditional sound.
Los Padrinos released their second album in December of 2005 entitled ?Puro Gallo? which has been well received by conjunto-lovers nationwide. They have been asked to perform their traditional style with artists like Flaco Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar, Los Dos Gilbertos, La Mafia, Los Palominos, Ram Herrera, Santiago Jimenez Jr., and the Tex-Maniacs.
With the release of this album have come requests to perform their style of music in many different venues. ?Puro Gallo? also initiated the relationship between Chicano artist Joe L. Lopez (?El Gallista?) and Los Padrinos.
They were honored to be named runner-up for "2006 Best Conjunto", sponsored by Tejanomagazine.com; as well as nominated for "Best Conjunto" by Univision's "2007 Premios a la Musica Latina".
The strongest part of the group is their innate sense that faith and culture cannot be separated and that by knowing our roots we know who we are. A Los Padrinos performance is not about nostalgia, but about remembering where we come from. God bless you y que viva conjunto!

A nosotros nos gustan las viejitas...
musica de grupos y artistas como: Santiago Jimenez, Los Alegres de Teran, Los Gavilanes, Los Fantasmas del Valle, Luis Gonzalez, Fred Zimmerle, Ruben Vela, Los Dos Gilbertos, etc.

San Antonio and south Texas, of course!

We use 2 Samson 500watt speakers and 2 Peavy 118 subwoofers through a Mackie 808S powered mixer.

Juan sings through a Shure Beta 58 microphone and plays a Marti?n Macias bajo quinto (1969) with a Cascabel pickup, and a Guerrero (1968) bajo sexto with a Fishman Pickup, and uses a Yamaha MSR100 powered monitor as his amp.

Pete uses a Yamaha S5 bass with a Hartke twin cabinet bass system.

Martin sings through a Shure 58 microphone, plays Hohner Corona II and Gabanelli accordions, and plays through a Samson Concert-series wireless microphone or a EV757 microphone.

We would like to thank our families, friends, and fan club members (Juan Santillan Sr. -President) and everyone that supports conjunto music.