hello and welcome to "comunicad del valle." i'm damian trujillo. today we have a special treat for you. we have the best mariacchi in the world on your "comunicad del valle." >> nbc bay area presents "comunicad del valle" with damian trujillo. >> a celebrated 18 years of hosting this show "comunicad del valle" on kntv, and what a better way to celebrate than with the best mariacchi in the world. thank you all for being here. whenever you play in this venue, it always sells out. why do you think people want to come to see you here? >> well, i think that people

have the money to pay for mariacchi. well, i don't know. it's the music and mexico, it's tradition. we are very excited to be here every year. >> and you -- tell us, you're going to respond to us in spanish. but tell us what it makes you feel like to play with this group of men who have a history behind this band. [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> and you have been -- you were on my show when you were in san jose about 15 years ago. i recognized a couple of you who were also on that show. people come and go. is that right, from this mariacchi? what is that like when you lose someone, but then you gain someone in return?

>> the people stay here for a long, long time, 20, 40, 50 years. so when we get a new member, we hear the music or the violin or the singer. so changing several times for a new musician. >> if you want a new violinist, how many people are in line to become that violinist? >> long. you want to see outside? [ laughter ] >> it's a long line? >> yes. so many people are waiting for the place over here. >> what is it that made you say i want to be a part of them? >> what did you say? [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> i want to be a part of them.

[ speaking in a foreign language ] >> there are 13 of you guys. are there fights when you're on the plane and bus traveling? what happens on the bus? >> no, no fighting. laughing. we are singing. because we live together. >> separate but together. >> we are performing together. we are talking together. sometimes it's a little bit strange. but we are laughing all the time. >> is it a brotherhood? >> yeah, yeah. >> sometimes. >> and the traveling, does it get tiring when you're traveling?

you were in southern california. now you're in northern california. you might be going back to mexico. does that get tiring for you? [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> and you've played all over the world. what's your favorite places? cash creek? what's your favorite place? >> well, we go all over the world. we feel great playing in japan, the usa, and czech republic, spain, south america. we belong to all the world. >> even if they don't understand

the music in the czech republic or in japan, even if they don't know the words, they still come to see you across the world? >> yeah, yeah. people come from around europe, spain, turkey, germany, france, around the world come to see us over there. >> well, this is a special show here on "comunicad del valle." we'll be back and talk more about what maybe what their favorite food is, the mexican food in mexico or the mexican food here in the states. stay with us.

we are back here on "comunicad del valle." when you talk about mexican music or mexican food, there's mexican food all over mexico. when you come to the united states, is it the same kind of food, or do you taste a difference? >> we like chinese food. yeah, yeah, that's right.

we like chinese food. this afternoon, we went to a chinese food restaurant. >> when you're eating a taco in mexico and when you're eating a taco here, is it the same? it doesn't taste the same. >> it tastes different. we like different food. >> when the crowd -- when you see them cheering and clapping and applauding, does that make you sing better, play better? [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> what is it that has kept the mariacchi together for more than 100 years?

i know it's not the same guys that were there 100 years ago, but what is it that keeps your brand, mariachi vargas de tecalitian, what keeps this going for generations, three or four generations? >> well, i think it's the tradition and the music. a long, long time of mariachi vargas de tecalitian playing every time. and people like the songs. many, many things that people like to come to see every time, every year, to the same place. like this casino. it's great for us. >> and when you play the harp? >> yes. >> and when you play the harp, is there one specific song that you like more? >> yes, that's right, "la cascavel." people are clapping, standing

ovation. it's very great for me that people like that music. >> mariachi vargas de tecalitian is going to be playing for us here on "comunicad del valle" in just a bit. they are also going to be coming to san jose on june 28. make sure that you lock that in to your calendars. why don't you introduce us to everybody here so we know who is here with mariachi vargas de tecalitian. >> our chief. my friend. our director, carlos martinez. jose martinez. they are playing violin. >> hermanos? >> no. >> this is mariacchi martinez. [ laughter ] >> enrique desantiago. >> who was here 15 years ago.

i remember. >> no, no, even more. arturo vargas. he plays the guitar, a singer. alberto aguirre. my friend. miguel maron, he plays the violin. trumpet player, my friend hernando velasquez. gustavo geraldo. and the last one, alberto alfaro. >> do you guys still practice when you're not playing at a concert? do you still practice? >> yeah. >> people might think -- [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> are there new songs that you

have to learn? [ speaking in a foreign language ] >> so you were with the same artistic director for a long time, pedro martinez. what is it like to go with a new artistic director? >> it's a different style, i think. pedro martinez was a great arrangement, a great person, was a great musician. so he leave us with a great amount of music. we are expecting new arrangements, new music for us. we are expecting the response of the people for us, i think it will be a great response about the music, because he is a great

arranger of music, and musician too. and a good singer too. ♪

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what an honor to have them exclusively on "comunicad del valle." mariachi vargas de tecalitian. we'll be back in our next segment with more great music excusively from mariachi vargas de tecalitian.

we thank you once again for sharing part of your sunday with us here on "comunicad del valle." remember to pick up a copy and support your bilingual weeklies. we leave you now with the sweet sounds of mariachi vargas de tecalitian. >> with you, ladies and gentlemen, mariachi vargas de tecalitian! ♪

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