In this interview I had the opportunity to set up an interview with Max Baca through a close connection of mine, via my cousin Stevie Ray Vavages. Max was in town in September 2023 with his band the Los Texmaniacs for the Tejano Conjunto Showcase at the AVA Amphitheater. It was an exciting experience for me to have access back stage and on-stage during their performance. I also spent time in their dressing room where I got to meet various band members including the infamous Flaco Jimenez of Texas Tornados! I was grateful that Max took the time to sit down with me for an interview to talk about his musical journey from a young boy playing alongside his dad, to leading his own band Los Texmaniacs to winning a Grammy Award for Tejano Album of the Year in 2010. He tells stories of playing in his dad’s band on the Laguna reservation where they enjoyed the music called chicken scratch. Back in the 90s chicken scratch was the popular term for the dance music played by O’odham, today it is referred to as Waila music.
Max also shares a story about the time he and Texas Tornados got to play at Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Ball in the early 90s. Later that night I returned to the AVA and watched them perform live while standing on the stage sidelines, it was an awesome time! I absolutely enjoyed hearing all his stories that reminded so much of my own family’s musical stories. I hope you enjoy and thanks for tuning in!
You can also listen to the short form interview with Max Baca here:
