It's been getting up to the 100's these days. My plants have gone duh... and off to slumber land till the cool fall. We had a good 4th here in the Borderland. Skys were clear no rain. Beautiful night for fireworks. I wish I was in Moriarity N M sailplaneing... I dusted off some of my old midi files and played my Casio. My wife and kids had forgotten my skill at the piano. Here's the deal, email me on a particular music book and I'll contact my sources and I'll let you buy one get one free same as for any Mexican cancionero. Buy one get one free, what a deal. When I was a child Spanish was my primary language now it's Ingles. My friend says he still likes ChevYYY's, and salsa picante and Tecate con limon. He's not Hispanic what does he know. If you want the words to a song let me know and I'll dust off my music books. Some date as back as 1967. Does anyone remember Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66. Any Boomers out there? I also have an incredible inventory on Mexican and Indian products, made by artisans in Mexico not the country that starts with China I meant the letter C.  Anyone know how to get a hold of the SEE sign language book? Mi sobrino wants to learn to sign. He has a best friend that's hearing impaired. Gotta go the wife's a yelling. If momma not happy nobody happy! Bloggers get this I got music books, guitars, cancioneros and authenteeeec artifacts what else do you want? Contact me via email at   huapango2004@sbcglobal.net. Free cheese if you can tell me what is a huapango. Hint it is not the sound a watermelon makes when you thump it with your thumb. Bye.

If you plan to be on the borderland around the fourth of July stay for a great concert by the El Paso Symphony. It will take place on the Fourth, starts at 7:00 pm. Location is the beautiful Chamizal National Park. Admission is free. Great fire works will be provided for all to see after the concert. Come early it will be packed. Chamizal National Park came into existence when two Presidents agreed to disagree on a boundry dispute peacefully, what a contrast to the way things get down now a days. But JFK was a good president. I love to hear concerts called Music under the Stars at the Chamizal. By the way, Chamizal is Spanish for tumbleweeds but I guess the National Parks Service has taken all of the chamizos out of the park-tumbleweeds are nuisance when you are listening to a concert while eating a corn on the cob with butter and limon with chili powder.

"Out in the west Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl. Dark were the color of Felinas eyes wicked while casting a spell. Marty Robbins "El Paso" is one of my favorite songs about El Paso, Mexican and Cowboy Cultures. Rosa's cantina is still operating on the borderland.

If you want an English to Spanish translation let me know.Especially songs. or if you can't get that tune out of your head, "la Bamba" I can translate it for you.

In El Paso we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Billy the Kid days, Fourth of July during the summer. Think about it we celebrate the cultures that live together peacefully on the border land, Mexican, Cowbys and American cultures.Too bad the Middle East could look at this as an example of how to co-exist.

As usual things I sell, Music books and great inexpensive handmade Mexican guitars . Are you dying for Menudo, Chico's Tacos I can send to you, especially if you were stationed in Fort Bliss and got hooked on jalapenos, Tecates and salsa from the El Paso Company,

HAPPY and Glorious Fourth of July, mi amigos. God Bless the USA. Danny Olivas, astronaut we are so proud of you on your trip to space and your spacewalk was awesome.Muy bien Danny.

A new movie on the life of Hector Lavoe with Marc Anthony and J Lo will be premerieng soon. I will be anticipating it with interest. Hector was a good salsero. Back in the 70's I learned how to play salsa with some Puerto Rican friends of mine. We were in the Army and would rehearse on base and play out in public. We sometimes would play in Miami-we were stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, so that was fun.

We played some Lavoe tunes that were popular back then. We played classic salsa. Reggeton was not invented then. But I think reggeton has roots in salsa and is very modern and hip youngsters like it.

If you like salsa drop me a line. Tell me what you like as far as artists and songs. I know a lot about the internet in regards to midi sequences with a Latin feel. Is anyone interested in a guitar or cancioneros of Mexican music?  Let me know. I can sell music books used and new just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you at special price.

Guitar tip of the day. Tune your guitar every time you Play.  Standard tuning on the guitar is

E A D G B E  One simple song to play is La Bamba by Richie Valens. The Progression is standard

I IV V progression in the key of C.  Para bailar la Bamba  REPEAT 3 TIMES

                                                       Se necessita una poca de Gracia

                                                       Una poca de Gracia y una poquito mas

                                                        Ba Ba Bamaba REPEAT 3 TIMES

There are other words but you'll need a cancionero for that. The Beatles copied the rythmn and chord

changes and wrote "I want to hold your Hand, Yea Yea Yea. Get it?

I was truly saddened that one of my favorite troubadores from Mexico passed away. El Gran Charro, Antonio Aguilar. I will miss him, his humanity, voice and dignified style of presenting the best of Charro music to the world. God is probably asking him to sing some songs for him in heaven. Albur de Amor, Tristes Recuerdos and La Chancla to name a few. 

My Uncle Vicente from Pico Rivera used to sing those songs when I was a young lad. He would go to the Mercado in East L A sing songs on Friday evenings while a local radio station recorded him and other aficionados-amatuers. Saturday the recorded show would be played on a local AM station. What a thrill to hear my Uncle's voice over the Radio. After Friday's show we would leave L A and go to Tijuana for some more singing with Mariachis till Five in the morning. Good ol' days.

I'm listening to el Piporro and the radio program is good. I'll see you later. Reply if you want I am open to ideas and thoughts. Buenas noches y muchas gracias amigos.

Is anyone interested in Spanish guitar music? Huapangos, boleros. I sell cancioneros and guitars (inexpensively made in Mexico but darn good Paracho guitars). Let me know if you are an aspiring troubador or just the life of the party at your sobrino's b'day party. I live in the beautiful twin cities of El Paso del Norte and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuaha, Mexico. Nuff said. Hope to hear from Paisanos, Americanos, and anyone who loves guitar playing, singing... I have been a musician since I was a teenager now I am a B-Boomer with a still young heart thanks to my family. We will be celebrating my parents 60 wedding anniversary.