Rancho Alegre Interview with El Gambler Joe Gonzales

2023-04-07

Recorded in July 2011 at El Torreón Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. Joe Gonzales passed away today in San Antonio at the age of 61. He was known in the Conjunto world as "El Gambler" because of his time playing bass with Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers in the later years of Ruben's career, as well as his friendship with the beloved legend. After Ruben's passing, Joe began his own group and switched over to accordion and primera voz, remaining faithful to Ruben's signature style and the distinctive Alice, Texas Conjunto sound. ...

Recorded in July 2011 at El Torreón Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas.

Joe Gonzales passed away today in San Antonio at the age of 61. He was known in the Conjunto world as "El Gambler" because of his time playing bass with Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers in the later years of Ruben's career, as well as his friendship with the beloved legend. After Ruben's passing, Joe began his own group and switched over to accordion and primera voz, remaining faithful to Ruben's signature style and the distinctive Alice, Texas Conjunto sound.

In this interview, get to know this most humble man with a puro Conjunto heart and hear his story in his own words and voice. The interview is in the type of Spanglish commonly spoken in South Texas, effortlessly switching between Spanish and English in one sentence.

Tracks played:

Aborezco La Vida

Locos Disvarios

Las Ilusiones

Te Quiero Con La Vida – w/ Ricky Naranjo

Prietita Mia

La Piedrecita – w/ Ruben Naranjo

Tributo a Ruben Naranjo

Le Gusta Bailar Cumbia

Ya No Llores – Jo Ann Gonzales y Los Lowriders

Popurri – Tu Buen Camino, Preso Sin Delito, Las Puertas De La Carcel

Mi Casa Nueva