Natives of Premont, Texas, Joe and Rosa currently reside in Olmito on the outskirts of Brownsville. They have lived in the Rio Grande Valley since 1980, relocating from Austin to accept teaching jobs in the border area, first in McAllen and then in Brownsville.
The couple produce and host North of the Border, a public radio program of Mexican roots music presented with socio-historical commentary in English. With music selected for a thematic format, North of the Border has included weekly themes like the corrido, boleros, orquesta ranchera, accordion pioneers, big band sound, ranchera duets, and the European connections. The program airs on KMBH FM 88, the NPR affiliate in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Joe
and Rosa also perform as a vocal and guitar duet they have named Rumbo al'
Anacua. They chose the name to honor Rosa's godparents, who loved music and
always found time to relax under an old anacua tree in their backyard in Kingsville,
Texas. The music of Rumbo al' Anacua keeps the tradition of music performed
under anacua trees, around backyard tables, in dining rooms and on porches
throughout South Texas. From its repertory the duet performs old música
ranchera along with blues and folk music that include original compositions.
Pieces of original poetry are woven throughout the presentation. As self-taught
musicians, the interpretations of música ranchera by Rumbo al' Anacua
evoke a rustic style that speaks of a "voces y guitarras" heritage
as it has been preserved among people living north of the Rio Grande. Playing
6-string and 12-string guitars, they like to say, "Music is too important
to leave to the professionals."
Rosa
and Joe are founding members of the Narciso Martínez Writers' Forum,
which meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Narciso Martinez Cultural
Arts Center in San Benito. The Forum provides a venue for Valley writers to
express their bi-lingual/bi-cultural literary interpretations of the region.
A former drafting and English teacher, Joe works as a technical writer. Rosa taught English and Mexican-American Studies at Hanna High School in Brownsville from 1984 until her retirement in 2001. She is a former Board Member of the Narciso Martínez Cultural Arts Center. Both have been volunteers at the NMCAC in San Benito and at the Casa de Cultura Carlotta Petrina in Brownsville.
Additional funding provided by the Texas Commission on the
Arts.
San Angelo Museum
of Fine Arts
One Love Street
San Angelo, Texas 76903
Fax: (325) 658 - 6800
Phone: (325) 653 -
3333
e-mail:
museum@samfa.org