Puerto Rico maybe isn't the first place you'd think of in connection to good, old-fashioned country music, and indeed, I hit a dead end looking for information about country artists en la Isla del Encanto. For one thing, what they call "country music" in Puerto Rico is mostly a local rural folk style called jibaro music (which I love), though refining my searches to "country western" didn't help much, either. Nonetheless, I persevered, and after only fifteen years, I finally spotted one album of country & western covers by a Puerto Rican artist. But, boy, would I like to find some more! Anyone out there with info on genuine cowboy-hillbilly-Nashville twangsters in Puerto Rico (or mainlanders of Puerto Rican descent) should feel free to get in touch... Mainly I'm looking for people who have made records -- 78s, 45s, LPs, CDs, etc. -- though I welcome information about bar bands and live music venues or country bars, as well. I'm sure there's a good story to be uncovered, but it might take some time. Fingers crossed. Gracias!
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Chucho Avellenet "Baladas: Spanish Sounds In Country Music" (United Artists, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Leroy Holmes)
Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Latin pop singer Armando Hipolito Avellanet Gonzalez (aka Chucho Avellenet) laid down roots in New York City, where he was a popular performer with a major-label contract. He was also a pioneer of the rock en espanol genre, known in the early 1960s as an artist in the "nueva ola," or "new wave" movement, where Latin American pop singers plugged in and played electric, often covering North American rock and pop songs. Avellenet also had an affinity for country music, covering (translated as "Jamas Te Olvidare") and other twangtunes in the early part of his career. This album includes Spanish-language covers of country oldies such as "Born To Lose," "I Love You So Much It Hurts," "What's He Doing In My World," with lyrics adapted by Alfred E. Herger and a pop-vocals orchestra conducted by Leroy Holmes.
Hick Music Index
