Rancho Alegre Interview with Chencho Flores

Rancho Alegre

Recorded in August 2017 at the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library. Chencho Flores passed away in January 2021 due to complications of COVID-19 at the age of 91.

At the time of this interview, Chencho was 88 years old and had just started his own Conjunto earlier that year after a long tenure with Conjunto Los Pinkys.

This in-depth conversation, which we believe to be the only recorded interview with the very shy and humble Mr. Flores, covers his life, his musical beginnings in the 1940s, the changes he's seen in Austin during his lifetime, his time in bands with Ben Garza and his brother Frank Flores, how he joined Los Pinkys, and finally his own band.

In January 2020, Chencho, along with brother Frank, bajo sexto player Vicente Alonzo, drummer Augie Arreola, and bassist John Majalca, were inducted into the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame in Alice, Texas.

After his passing in 2021, Chencho was featured on the PBS NewsHour during a segment remembering lives lost to COVID-19. The Austin Chronicle and the Austin American-Statesman wrote long-form obituaries about him.

Rancho Alegre honored Frank and Chencho at the 2022 Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival with a lifetime achievement award. Frank, though frail and ill, appeared in person to accept the award. And even got up and danced with his wife. He passed away in December 2022, also at the age of 91.

Songs played:

Buscandote - Frank Flores y Su Conjunto

Puñal Del Olvido

Viva Seguin

Morena La Causa Fuiste

El Pajuelazo

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