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CharroBeans: A Mariachi Podcast
CharroBeans: A Mariachi Podcast
Author: Sammy Ramirez & Victor Estrada
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Description
CharroBeans is a podcast by mariachis Sammy Ramirez and Victor Estrada, based in Fort Worth, TX. Constantly living the gig life and after having played mariachi music coast to coast, here we choose to share our experiences with all of you. Enjoy.
172 Episodes
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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.



