As most die-heart mariachi fans already know, Victor “Pato” Cardenas, the legendary vihuelista from el mejor mariachi del mundo, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, retired in January of this year after 50 years in the group. For a lot of people the news came as a shock, and everyone was interested in knowing more about the musician that would fill his shoes. Mariachimusic.com had the opportunity to interview, Miguel Angel “El Gigio” Barron, after the Corpus Christi concert on May 21. Miguel Angel says that he is honored to have been invited by Maestro Ruben Fuentes to join Mariachi Vargas. Before joining the group, Miguel Angel played with several mariachi ensembles in Guadalajara during his career, including Mariachi Juvenil Jalisciense, Mariachi Juvenil Tapatio, and occasionally with Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, Mariachi Nuevo Mexico, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, Mariachi Los Toritos and Mariachi Jalisco es Mexico.

Although Victor “Pato” Cardenas will definitely be missed, Mariachimusic.com welcomes Miguel Angel as the newest member of Mariachi Vargas. Catch Miguel Angel Barron performing with Mariachi Vargas at the Albuquerque Mariachi Spectacular July 8-9 and in San Antonio during the 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza November 27 through December 4.

The attached interview was conducted by Miguel Angel Barron exclusively for mariachimusic.com on May 22 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The interviewer is Brenda “Lilly” Cervantes with MPR. For more information contact Lilly at 210-225-3353.