Gerry Jimenez
Los Alegres de Terán is a very small ethnic band; it consists of two men: Eugenio Abrego on accordion and Tomas Ortiz on bajo sexto(a twelve-string guitar distinctive of northern Mexico and South Texas). They have performed together for more than twenty-five years, recorded over forty albums, and are the masters and chief exporters of Norteño music, a style indigenous to the Texas-Mexico border area. Popular throughout Central and South America, Los Alegres are known for carefully harmonized vocals, simple accompaniment, and a repertoire of corridos or ballads of courage and romance. Arnaldo Ramirez of Falcon Records accounts for Los Alegres’ international following this way: “They’re the only Chicano group like this in history. Their songs are down-to-earth and they just get to people.