Grupo Pronto using self-taught skills to join Tejano music scene

One of the best stories is far hidden behind deep country-rooted roads along the south coastline beaches, which lead you to the ultimate Tejano music and its history behind the creators of Grupo Pronto.

I took a trip down memory lane to south Texas for this story after a musician friend, Rick Quijas from Wharton, Texas, who plays bass for Adriana Live Band, messaged me to come and scout the band out. What you don’t understand is that the connection hits close to home, being a country girl myself and based out of Newgulf, Texas. Along with Rick, we value a good musician when we see one. Especially, if one needs acknowledgment. I’m very grateful to Rick for contacting me, I am here to shine a light on all talented Chicanos in La Onda Tejana across the world.

Josh Garcia plays the Bajo Sexto for Grupo Pronto and he’s very pleased to be part of this amazing five-piece band. Garcia is self-taught and is one of three brothers and has been a part of the band for a year.

The lead singer of the band is Greg Morales, who resides in Seadrift, Texas. At 30 years old, this his first Tejano band, although he has been a part of other Country bands. This is his first real gig, doing something he loves to do, and the musicians he plays with gives him the energy and electrifying feeling that keeps them connecting together as a band. He hasn’t written any originals, they started out doing covers as a band, finding that the typical ’90s Tejano music hit their margin on classic artists lists. Morales says he prefers to stick with a variety of music, he wants to be versatile for the fans who love Conjunto, Tejano, Tex-Mex, Country covers for now, because I see songwriting for him in the near future.

Zach Garcia, the group’s accordionist, says, “This is something I want to master, like my idol Ramon Ayala.” His parents Mayra, Bobby Garcia, along with Josh, and Chris saw a concert featuring the Ayala that registered somehow to learn his songs, and now Zach is living the dream and performing Ramon Ayala songs on stage!

Their uncle, Laurence Garcia, had played sax for a couple of years but he took a moment to teach himself how to play the bass and the group found their bass player.

Now, remember every individual in this band self-taught themselves how to play each instrument. No training, no classes, no vocal lessons, not featured on any major broadcast stations. I am the first person to give them the recognition they deserve.

Putting a band together isn’t easy, these gentlemen have full-time jobs. Music is their second home. Doing it for the love of music and Christ is a big part of their skills and gifts for their knowledge in music today. Grupo Pronto is based out of Palacios, Texas and these guys are sensational, unique, and skilled at their craft. They have a show on stage, it’s not at all boring, you’ll dance all night long, you’ll sing to so many traditional Tex-Mex Tejano and Country tunes, They do upon request, you can find them on social networks.

Percussion is a big part of the band they say, it’s the root of music. The bass drum, like the double bass, is the biggest member of the percussion family and therefore makes the lowest sounds. The bass drum is built like a very large snare drum, although without the snare; it is also an untuned instrument. You play the bass drum by hitting either drumhead with sticks that have large soft heads, often covered with sheepskin or felt. It can produce a lot of different sounds from roaring thunder to the softest whispers. Chris Garcia is 16 years old, the youngest of the Garcia brothers, and the drummer of Grupo Pronto who is self-taught, rocking the night away every chance he gets.

I know a lot of promoters, publishers, publicists that can offer this band the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of San Antonio, the Capital of Tejano Music, especially when the Fan Fair gets here. That’s why I’m here. There are so many bands hidden out in the country that are wanting to be part of our industry but don’t know how to get there. It’s not that difficult for us to work together in the industry to help the rising stars and send them in the right direction, so everyone could get recognition. Thank you Rick Quijas whose looking out for other artists, sharing this moment with the public.

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