Local musician to join Grammy nominated group
A local musician is about to join forces with a nationally-recognized Tejano group.
Chapo Cerda of Sweetwater will make his debut with Grupo Vida, a three-time Grammy award nominee, on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Salsa Fest in Three Rivers, Texas.
Grupo Vida, also known as the Electric Cowboys, have toured with some well-known country acts like the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, and Jo Dee Messina and Kevin Fowler. On the Tejano circuit, they have shared the stage with Little Joe, Texas Latino, and Emilio and Raulito Navaira.
Based out of San Antonio, Cerda will be joining the thirteen-year old band as their accordion player. However, he is the second Sweetwater native in the group, as keyboard player/vocalist Michael Molini is also from the area.
Other Grupo Vida members include Art Tigerina on lead vocals/saxophone, Jason Martinez playing the lead electric and acoustic guitar and assisting with vocals and keyboard, drummer/percussionist Tim Villanueva and Roger Vasquez on the bass and vocals.
Cerda is no stranger to the world of music. He has been playing since the age of six and along with Steve Lujan founded "Thoze Guys Crunkjunto", a band which produces a combined sound of Texas country and conjunto music.
He counts the group as one of his many musical influences, along with Jonny Martinez y Grupo Bravo, Grupo Conquista and local Tejano singer Anjelique. His music is also shaped by a number of genres--Tejano, jazz, R&B, rock and country.
Cerda noted that the decision to join Grupo Vida was an easy one and he hopes that his presence will help as the band is trying to go mainstream.
"I've always wanted to make a living playing music," he stated. "Opportunity came knocking, so I answered."
Off the stage, Cerda involves himself in a number of community programs, like a reading program at JP Cowen through Ludlum Measurements. He also coaches Pee-Wee football and Little League baseball, and in his spare time he plays basketball, softball, football and golf.
But he understands that this new chapter in his music career wouldn't be possible without a strong support base. He thanks God, his family and friends and his girlfriend for believing in his dream, along with others.
"Big thanks to my band T.G.C. [Thoze Guys Crunkjunto] and Joe Man, Davie and Lil Loc...I love you all."
So when April 14 rolls around, Cerda's dream will take off with the intent of doing his best each time he takes the stage while making an impact on concert-goers--to leave them "with a smile and their lives changed."
Here is the link to view complete story. http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com/content/local-musician-join-grammy-nominated-group
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New Website released today
Grupo Vida has launched their new website today, for years you could find them at www.grupovidanews.com and after much thought and input from advisors, they changed the domain to www.grupovidaonline.com which sounds much better. The website is packed with all kinds of features and will contine to be updated on a weekly basis for the fans to always have something new to enjoy from Vida. Please spread the word about www.grupovidaonline.com thanks for the support.
Free Iphone and Android App now available
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Grupo Vida on Pandora Radio
Grupo Vida has their own Pandora radio channel. Check it out today!!
Now on Itunes
Download your favorite Vida songs now available on iTunes. Also The Electric Cowboys "Prisoner of the honky tonk" is available for download. Just google search Grupo Vida iTunes or click the iTunes link on our home page of this website.
