By Natalia Contreras of the Caller-Times
Tears of joy ran down Margaret Rodriguez's cheek as she talked about being able to do what she loves the most — singing.
In 2012, the 34-year-old saw an opportunity to begin a Mariachi band along with trumpet player Serafin Salas. Two weeks later, four more would join them to create Los Mariachis.
During that time Rodriguez found herself getting through a divorce and a newly single mother of two. However, she said the music kept her going.
"It helped me heal and I am so grateful for that. I love what we do," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez and the band have not stopped since.
Along with playing at local restaurants weekly and serenading families, Los Mariachis this year performed at Dia de los Muertos Street Festival, the Corpus Christi Hot Tamale Fest and recently played for actress Eva Longoria and her family during the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legacy Awards.
As lead singer of a mariachi band, which are typically led by men, Rodriguez said there were times when people, even other women mariachi singers, tried to discourage her from leading the band.
"That only pushed me to show them. And here we are," she said.
Aside from planning gigs, promoting the band and handling the finances, Rodriguez also works full time as a traffic director at KUQI FOX TV and takes care of her daughter Raina, 11, and son John, 13.
"It's huge a responsibility but when you love what you do you look forward to it," Rodriguez said.
The band is made up of trumpet and violin player Serafin Salas; Armando Martinez, who plays guitarron; Isabel Salazar, who plays violin; Alonzo Cuellar, who plays viruela and Jose Angel Salas, who plays violin.
Martinez said the band is far from ordinary. Los Mariachis integrates traditional mariachi music with huapangos huastecos and modern hip-hop and pop songs.
"We all bring something to the table. A little hip-hop, a little traditional, rock and roll, jazz, we mesh it up and we just have good chemistry," Martinez said. "We don't perform on what's the norm. As a group we mirror what the crowd wants," he said.
Rodriguez said the variety of music opens a door for new generations who are not familiar with the traditional sounds.
"A lot of people say that mariachi music has to stay traditional. But everyone has a different perspective and mine is about using popular songs as an outlet to bring up the traditional," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez goal is for the band to be happy and enjoy what they do as much as she does, which then reflects on the clients.
"I love mariachi music. It evokes emotions that sometimes we have to feel in order to heal," Rodriguez said. "And who knows, maybe those who have never listened to it before will end up loving the traditional songs, too."
Natalia Contreras is a breaking news reporter at the Caller-Times
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