25th Annual ‘El Veterano’ Conjunto Festival Set for November 8 in Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A quarter-century of honoring military veterans, preserving Conjunto music and supporting young musicians will be celebrated November 8 as the 25th Annual “El Veterano” Conjunto Festival returns to Corpus Christi.

Conjunto legend and festival founder Linda Escobar has announced that this year’s milestone celebration will take place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Whiskey Rio Club, located at 5702 South Staples St. The annual event honors all U.S. military veterans in memory of Escobar’s late father, Eligio Escobar, a talented Conjunto musician and U.S. Army veteran.

The festival also continues its mission of providing educational opportunities for young musicians, with all proceeds benefiting the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund.

In an interview with the television program Domingo Live, Linda reflected on the personal story behind the festival and how a dream involving her father inspired her to create the annual event.

“I started it back in 1999, which was actually five years after my dad passed away, the great Eligio Escobar,” Linda recalled.

She explained that following her father’s passing, she struggled with the loss and stepped away from performing music. However, a dream about her father eventually inspired her to find a way to continue the musical legacy he had passed down to her.

“I had a dream that my father was a little upset because I wasn’t doing anything about, you know, all he had taught me in the music, and because I didn’t really want to perform anymore because I took my father’s death very, very hard,” she said. “And so after that dream I knew I had to do something.”

That inspiration became the foundation for the El Veterano Conjunto Festival, named after her father’s song “El Veterano.”

Linda described the song as a moving story about a Mexican American soldier who goes off to war without knowing whether he will return home.

“And so I thought this is the ideal thing to do, is to honor all veterans in memory of Eligio Escobar and name the conjunto festival El Veterano Conjunto Festival and also have military ceremonies to recognize our military and also to raise money to give scholarships to children that play conjunto and Tejano music,” she explained.

Over the past 25 years, the scholarship program has awarded more than 70 scholarships to young musicians, helping encourage the next generation to continue the traditions of Tejano and Conjunto music.

“We’ve already awarded 70 scholarships in 25 years, gracias al público and all our sponsors,” Linda said.

25th Anniversary Celebration Features Conjunto Music and Military Honors

The November 8 celebration will begin at noon with military ceremonies presented by The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi. The ceremonies will also honor the memory of the late Ramiro “Ram” Chavez, who founded the band in 1986.

The festival’s Conjunto lineup will feature performances by:

• Lazaro Perez y Su Conjunto
• Los D Boyz
• David Flores y Los Tremendos Alacranes
• Javier Solis y Loz Unikoz
• Mando y La Venganza
• Ernesto Cadena y Conjunto Impulso
• JCastillo y Los All-Starz
• Conjunto Cats

The lineup is subject to change.

Adding to the milestone celebration, the Texas Music Office will be on hand to present Linda Escobar with a proclamation recognizing her 25 years of leadership and dedication to the festival.

2026 Scholarship Recipients Continue the Musical Tradition

This year’s celebration will also recognize several young musicians receiving scholarships through the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund.

Among the recipients are Abraham and Rogelio “Roy” Ybarra III of The Ybarra Boyz and eight-year-old Lazaro “Cuatro” Perez IV. Both represent the next generation of young musicians carrying Tejano and Conjunto traditions forward while balancing their musical ambitions with their education.

The Ybarra Boyz: Brothers Building a Musical Future

The Ybarra Boyz are a young Tejano and Conjunto duo from McAllen, Texas, made up of brothers Rogelio “Roy” Ybarra III, 15, and Abraham Ybarra, 13. Both developed a passion for music at an early age and have continued developing their musical abilities while remaining committed to their education.

Abraham is an eighth-grade student at Fossum Middle School, where he plays saxophone in the school band. He also performs vihuela with Mariachi Alcon and volunteers with James Nikki Rowe High School’s Mariachi Azteca program.

His musical journey began with drums before expanding to guitar and bajo sexto, eventually leading him to develop a love for Conjunto and Tejano music. In 2022, Abraham began formal music instruction at Melhart Music Center under instructor Max Mendiola.

His older brother, Roy, is a tenth-grade student at James Nikki Rowe High School, where he performs trumpet with Mariachi Azteca.

Roy began learning accordion during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially teaching himself through online videos. Along the way, he received guidance from his uncle, Juan P. Ramos of Grupo Tremendo, and mentor Isaac Cavazos of Grupo Zenderro. Like his brother, Roy began taking lessons with Max Mendiola in 2022.

The brothers began attracting attention through social media after videos shared by their grandmother, Rosario Ramirez, and family friends gained popularity online. Their performances and growing musical presence have generated more than 800,000 views and attracted over 30,000 followers across TikTok and Facebook.

One of their biggest milestones came in 2024 when they received an invitation from Dr. Robert Garza to perform at PacFest at Palo Alto College in San Antonio. The brothers performed before an estimated crowd of approximately 10,000 people.

The event became even more memorable when they were surprised with a scholarship from Palo Alto College. They also received a scholarship from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), further supporting their educational journey.

Now, as recipients of scholarships through the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund, the Ybarra Boyz continue building their musical careers while demonstrating the importance of education, family support and dedication to their craft.

Lazaro “Cuatro” Perez IV: A Young Musician Carrying Tradition Forward

At just eight years old, Lazaro “Cuatro” Perez IV represents another example of the next generation discovering its place in Tejano and Conjunto music.

Known to family and friends as “Cuatro,” Lazaro has grown up surrounded by music, family traditions and the cultural influences that helped shape his passion for performing.

Raised in a family where music, hard work and tradition have always been important, Lazaro has developed an appreciation for how music brings families together, creates memories, tells stories and connects generations.

As he has gotten older, that influence has developed into something more. He is no longer simply watching and listening but beginning to find his own place in music and evolve into a young musician himself.

Every new experience gives him an opportunity to learn, build confidence, develop his talents and discover the type of artist he wants to become.

Outside of music, sports are another major part of Lazaro’s life. His experiences as an athlete have helped teach him discipline, teamwork, competitiveness, perseverance and the importance of putting in the work when no one is watching. Those same qualities are beginning to carry over into his musical journey, where practice, patience and dedication are just as important.

At the center of everything is family. While he is proud of the musical influences that came before him, his journey is ultimately about creating an identity that is uniquely his own.

Still at the beginning of his story, Lazaro Perez IV is part of a new generation of young musicians carrying tradition forward while adding their own personality, style and sound.

His story is still being written, his sound is still developing, and his journey is only beginning.

Lazaro Perez IV — carrying the influence, continuando la tradición, and creating his own legacy.

A Legacy That Continues Through Music

For Linda Escobar, the 25th anniversary represents much more than another year of live music. It is a celebration of her father’s legacy, a tribute to American veterans and a commitment to ensuring young musicians have opportunities to carry the music forward.

What began as a personal tribute in 1999 has grown into an annual gathering that brings together Conjunto artists, veterans, families and supporters for a shared cause.

With more than 70 scholarships awarded over the past 25 years, the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund has helped young musicians pursue their musical interests and educational goals while keeping the traditions of Tejano and Conjunto music alive for future generations.

The public is invited to attend the 25th Annual “El Veterano” Conjunto Festival on Sunday, November 8, at Whiskey Rio Club in Corpus Christi.

Admission is $15 at the door. Accordion raffle tickets are also available.

Event Details

• Event: 25th Annual El Veterano Conjunto Festival
• Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
• Time: Noon
• Location: Whiskey Rio Club
• Address: 5702 South Staples St., Corpus Christi, TX
• Admission: $15 at the door
• Beneficiary: Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund
• Special presentations: Military ceremonies by The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi and a Texas Music Office proclamation honoring Linda Escobar.

All proceeds benefit the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund, continuing a 25-year tradition of honoring veterans and supporting the future of Tejano and Conjunto music.

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