CharroBeans: A Mariachi Podcast

The CharroBoys freestyle this episode. We get into the non-existent fall weather, priests wildin' out during the misas, playing at a rained-out wedding, having to spend all day together, and playing for a quinceañera while it's being shut down. Come listen, or else.

The CharroBoys had a late recording sesh. We tackle the weekend's surprise workload, but also delve into mariachi instruments. We recall why we decided to play the instrument we currently play. Also, your responses like how it became a way to score chicks, there was no other option, or the other instruments were simply too difficult. Where would we be if we chose differently? We discuss. 

The CharroBoys saw a video of Vargas performing and struggling to hit some notes on their vocals. It brought up a good topic. Have we not all been in that situation before? We discuss how we would react in that situation, getting the yips when we perform, losing our voice with sickness, and other reasons we can be off our game. Come debate with us, yo. 

The CharroBoys, fresh off a funeral gig, discuss some of their recent performances. We also get into how being a mariachi forces you to be social, how Sammy felt singing at his wedding, playing for his taquero, and feeling sad that he doesn't remember Sammy. Also, Victor has a mustache now. 

The CharroBoys talk about the older generation of mariachis. As you know, we all have a different upbringing and introduction to mariachi. Some of us learn from our parents, teachers, or local maestros. The older generation can have wisdom that gets passed down to different generations, but it can also mean it comes with challenges. We get into thoughts and concerns of older charros and our person...

The CharroBoys talk love. As a musician, it can be difficult to maintain and even find time for relationships. Can love and mariachi coexist? We get into your responses like marrying a fellow mariachi performer, bad experiences, and what it takes to keep your partner happy.  Come listen to our love ballad. 

The CharroBoys talk about what our biggest regrets in our mariachi careers are. We dive into your responses and also discuss clients asking to pay per song at a gig, is the grass really greener on the other side, can you put a price tag on experience, reverse caimanear, and having a plan B to a mariachi career. Jam-packed episode! 

The CharroBoys get into gig repertoire. As working mariachis, we don't usually hire other musicians. That being said, we figure we have an idea of what we would ask for if given the opportunity. We talk about paying for mariachi talon, asking for flashy songs, Sammy's wedding mariachi, and how mariachi songs can enhance the vibe of the situation it is being performed at. As long as you don't ask f...

The Charroboys talked about everything that happened this past weekend since we had no topic this week. Felt like those old episodes where we have a weekend recap. We get into a table not knowing that they have to pay for songs, Sammy watching his sister perform with Lupita Infante, why everybody keeps asking for mariachi loco, the heat, and getting threatened to play only happy songs . Is In-N-Ou...

The CharroBoys dealt with a client who had the AUDACITY. As you know, clients who hire a mariachi can be your best friend or very quickly become a nightmare. We discuss a gig where we had to deal with an angry DJ and his Optimus Prime,  how alcohol at chambas can negatively impact you, and crazy song requests that make us worry about mariachi music relevance in the near future. Come listen pls.

The CharroBoys had a take a week off for personal reasons but we’re back, boi. We get into why and then get a lil philosophical. What’s something you wish you could tell “past” you about being a mariachi/musician? After living through things like learning a bunch of rep, interacting with caimanes, people talking behind your back, what would you say to warn yourself? We get into it and your respons...

The CharroBoys are back after two weeks. Sammy went to Mexico and Albuquerque so he talks about his travels. We also discuss our experiences with mariachi conferences, like the Albuquerque Mariachi Spectacular. Victor missed out. 

The CharroBoys discuss a recent gig where a person threatened to hurt people at the gig we were supposed to play at. Got us thinking, what’s a situation where you felt like you were in danger? As musicians, we never know where or what we’re playing for until we actually get there. It can get scary real quick. We into your responses like being held at gunpoint, accidentally dancing with someone’s g...

The CharroBoys discuss cool experiences we've had because of mariachi. After Sammy discusses accompanying several artists this week, we discuss how mariachi can help open many doors in your musical and personal career. We get into your responses, and also a gig that had us walk to the other side of town in the rain. Not fun. 

The CharroBoys celebrate 5 years of CharroBeans Podcast. As much as we want this to be a place where you unwind, It’s hard to not speak of the atrocious things happening currently to our communities. Mariachi is Mexico’s music for the world and the people we play for and interact with are being targeted right now in the cruelest of ways. Do not stop speaking your voice and continue to bring awaren...

The CharroBoys discuss awkward gig moments. Everyone knows how we’re put in the strangest of situations at these performances. Whether it’s dedicating sad songs for weddings, clients arguing with each other, proposals gone wrong, or getting hit on by older people, we’d do it all over again and again. We discuss. 

The CharroBoys talk mariachi etiquette. A mariachi means you have to work as a team, right? What makes a good compañero? What’s mariachi drama? Should mariachis be clean shaven? We get into all your responses. 

The CharroBoys went through some rough weather here in Texas. Whether it’s severe thunderstorms, snow, or desert heat, clients seem to always put us in the most unfortunate of circumstances. We discuss rain on your instrument and playing in sub zero temps. How much should a mariachi charge? Mas barato o más caro? 

The CharroBoys are exhausted. Mother’s Day Marathon has come and gone. 20 hours of gigging later, we recount the events such as shooting pew pews for someone’s mom, showing up for a prank serenade, applying sunscreen wrong, and body parts hurting more this year. We’re getting old, y’all. 

The CharroBoys, fresh off their last Cinco de Mayo gig, are tired. Heading into the next round of gigs with Mother’s Day coming up, we get into playing for the elderly at retirement homes, Sammy playing for NASCAR, and gigs where you think “how did I get here?” Mariachi can take you to some weird places, man.  

The CharroBoys get into mariachi rep. How much rep do you need to actually start gigging professionally? We talk about learning theory, learning the staples of mariachi, and finding the most requested songs in your region. All we know is it’s never enough 🥲

The CharroBoys get into a conversation about what the hardest thing about being a mariachi is. Is it the long hours, never seeing your friends or family on weekends, unstable work? We discuss.

The CharroBoys discuss which clients are the best to play for. After playing for some people who knew nothing about mariachi rep, it got us thinking about which clients make the gig easier or more challenging to go through. We also discuss playing at a disorganized wedding, our inicios in mariachi, and making it in the big leagues of mariachi, along with its challenges. Would you pursue a dream of...

The CharroBoys get into if there’s too many groups in DFW, hanging out and visiting our middle school’s crib, and playing gigs that never ever seem to end. Victor lo caimaniaron so hard on Christmas Day. Also, what constitutes a popurrí? We discuss. 

The CharroBoys are back again. Again. Returning from a nine-month hiatus, they get into what they've been up to lately. We get into Victor almost graduating from massage school, losing elementos in our mariachi group, turning 30, educating during UIL season, and Sammy getting to play in a conference in Midland. This was a great episode to get up to speed with where we are. We are excited to get ba...