Rancho Alegre Interview with Little Joe Hernandez

Recorded on two occasions, in 2012 and 2018 at the Little Joe Museum in Temple, Texas.

The “King of the Brown Sound” is a fitting nickname for Little Joe Hernandez. The music he has played over his storied career has blended together everything from mariachi, orquesta, conjunto, country, doo-wop, Sinatra-style standards, jazz, rock, salsa, and whatever else sounds and feels right, creating a sound that has resonated with Chicanos for over 60 years.

Coming from humble beginnings in the cotton fields of Temple, Texas, Little Joe has seen it all. Famous for collaborations and duets, the Grammy winner has worked with everyone from Conjunto pioneer Valerio Longoria to longtime Tejano friends Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido to Country legend Willie Nelson and many more.

We made a special trip to his museum in Temple to talk with the man himself. Surrounded by photos and memorabilia, we talked about his life and career, even some politics. There’s a lot of insight, a lot of philosophy, and some good laughs too.

In 2018, we returned to catch up with the legend and talk about his upcoming honor from the City of Temple, Little Joe Hernandez Street.

Since then, Little Joe was named Texas State Musician for 2019 and in 2020, his biography No Llore, Chingón, written by Emma Gonzalez, was published.

In 2023, Little Joe has been honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

(note: we included his Schlitz Beer commercial for historical purposes only)

Track Listing: Al Cortar Una Gardenia – with La Familia Indita Mia – with the Latinaires Que Lastima – with Johnny & Rocky Hernandez and La Familia Una Mujer De Este Pueblo – with Johnny and La Familia Luchare – Los Carnales de Little Joe Take Me To Jail – Little Joe Ramona – Rocky Hernandez with Little Joe Por Una Mujer Casada (Live) – with La Familia Pajarillo Barraqueño – with La Familia Que Paso La Ultima Vez – with Mariachi Companas de America Las Nubes – with La Familia Borrachera – with La Familia Mira Juanita – with La Familia Prieta Linda – with La Familia Devolucion – with La Familia Noche De Amores – with Valerio Longoria Our Last Night – with Donna Fargo and Johnny Rodriguez Amor, Amor – with Willie Nelson Recuerdos Querido Amigo – with Gilberto Perez Ojala – with David Lee Garza Cartas Marcadas – as Los Tres Amigos w/Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido Serenata Huasteca – Los Tres Amigos Flor Del Rio – with La Familia Only You – with La Familia La Unica Estrella – with La Familia Ojitos Verdes Por Un Amor Tome Schlitz Las Nubes – with Los Palominos

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