PAC Student to Compete for Accordion Title

Palo Alto College student Brian Gallegos is one of three finalists competing in Houston for the “Big Squeeze” accordion title sponsored by Texas Folklife, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating and fostering the diverse and living traditional arts heritage of the Lone Star State, June 7.

Also competing for the grand prize of $500 and one day of recording time in Houston’s historic SugarHill Recording Studios are John Ramirez, 16, of Houston, and Heriberto Rodriguez, 15, of Edcouch.

The three finalists will compete for the title prior to Texas Folklife’s 19th annual Accordion Kings Concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston.

The audience will help pick the winner of the accordion contest, designed to “encourage young players to keep on squeezin’.” Ramirez, who had entered the contest last year, and Rodriguez, are semi-finalists in the 18-and-under age category. Gallegos is a finalist in the 19-25 age category. The finals are not divided by age.

Each finalist received $250 and a trip to Houston for the competition, and were interviewed for a documentary by Hector Galán about the competition. Galán and his crew will also film the finals; Houston band “Avizo” will provide backing for the players.Judges for the finals include SugarHill owner Dan Workman, a member of the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter board of governors; Arlyn Visentin, president of the Houston Accordion Association; Roger Wood, author of “Texas Zydeco” and “Down in Houston”; and Gus Garza, host of KPFT-FM’s Tejano music show “Bailando en Tejas/Dancing in Texas.”