Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Gonzalez.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. My father was from Guadalajara, Mexico and my mother was from Baja, California. I started my career in “El Mercadito” (The little market) on the outskirts of East LA off Lorena Street and 1st . Back in the day , there was a radio contest called “La Tormenta” (The Storm) hosted by a, then young , up and coming DJ called Humberto Luna. A radio contest took place every Tuesday night. My father entered me in a few singing contest where I won a few things (TV, Radio, cash) Soon after that, i got “discovered” I started doing film in Mexico. Most of my childhood was spent on the road, on stages, hotels and different cities. My uncle was a promoter and he managed me for the first few years of my life. I did numerous films and worked with a lot of the stars of that era. Lucha Villa, Resortes, La Sonora Santanera, Yolanda Del Rio. Shared the stage with Antonio Aguilar, Los Humildes , Federico Villa . These movies all Produced by DEL REY PRODUCTIONS and a self made man Named Arnulfo Delgado. I played rodeos, cockfights and numerous venues In Mexico. Also in the United States Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento and Locally I performed several times in downtown Los Angeles million-dollar theater, summer festivals etc…In a time when they would organize caravanas. We performed up and down the coast of California in the 70s.
Alongside all the gruperos. Los Yonics, Los Indios, Los Freddys, Rocio Durcal, Tigeres del Norte and on and on…After having done a full LP . Songs written by King Clave, Rafael Carrion, Pepe Loza The years passed with several films with many performances under my belt . My mother hardly saw me during this time. There was lots of tension. There were no child labor laws at the time… not in Mexico. One day “The adults got into a fight and that was the end of my “mariachi” singing days. I was thrown into the “regular life“ however many kids recognized me from the movies I’d done. They were still playing in theaters. (Tres Contra el destino, El cara parchada, Mojado de Nacimiento, Viacrusis Nacional a few more) This caught the attention of the theater teacher in my elementary school. I was in fourth grade by then.
Her name was Helen Stringos . She made me sing and she took me under her wing . Taught me English songs. She introduced me to musical theater. She got me a Hollywood agent and I started doing commercials almost right away …McDonald’s, Coke, Greyhound, Jack in the box, AT&T and many others. I got to work on TV shows like “The Yellow Rose,” “Night court” “ The Judge” “America’s most wanted” and many others. I was fully engulfed in the arts from that point on. When I was in my early 20s, I did a movie called “Mi vida loca” directed by Allison Anders. The pickings were slim for someone like me. I must admit it was around that time that I was discouraged because at the time the only roles available were of “bad guys” and proudly, playing immigrants, orphans and gangbangers, whatever stereotype was written. Feeling discouraged, I turned back to my first love , music. We started a group, my sisters and I called “Estilo” we sang everything from hip-hop, soul and salsa. We wrote our own songs did our own choreography. We performed in several places. We recorded originals. Producers tried to get us signed but there was nothing like us at the time so these opportunities never came. Looking back people just didn’t know what to do with us. My sister started working with a group of musicians. I tagged along. I was introduced to a band Called LOS MURCIELAGOS. We sang old school traditional Mexican regionals. They later included me in another Project called QUETZAL. I spent the next 20 plus years recording and touring with them.
Singing, writing, performing and eventually contributing to their cd winning a Grammy in 2013 (Best Latin Alternative “IMAGINARIES” ) When they won, I was on tour. I was Involved in a Broadway musical called IN THE HEIGHTS, I played “PIRAGUA”. It was the 2nd National Tour. .I was on tour for almost a year. When this ended, I returned to doing Commercials, local theater and performing with Other groups as a “hired gun” Doing Backgrounds. Session Work and Backing International Singers from the Salsa genre. (Jimmy Bosch, Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera) Salsa was God Sent. But I was a bit of an oddball having been born of Mexican descent. My dilemma was that I was not Mexican enough for the Mexicans and too Mexican for the Americans and a singer of my background was unheard of in the salsa scene. Kinda still is and definitely was 15 years ago but I endured. The genre would turn out to be more generous and accepting to me than my own Mexican roots. I got to travel nationally and outside my zip code on numerous occasions. New York to Germany, Mexico, several other states. I performed for troops in Afghanistan one Christmas. Almost every club up and down the coast of California. I was a part of so many groups until I finally decided to start my own. Mostly out of necessity.
At one time, there were so many groups. It was easy to get lost in the shuffle. I was frustrated and took the leap of faith and started Gabrielito Y La Verdad. It was around this time I was asked to sub in a band called BOOGALOO ASSASSINS. They kept me on and I’ve been with them almost six years now. ( I love Boogaloo/Soul) I’ve done really well with both. Last year around this time, I was playing and recording with both projects. Last year in August, I was in Colombia for a week and got to perform in front of almost 20k people, singing Salsa. I still do Commercials but TV and Film are a little more difficult to get into now. I never invested the time to really pursue. I got turned off to theater a few years ago. (Thats another interview. ) Today I am working on my own material, something I had never done, believe it or not. I realize that no-one is going to do it the way I like it. This is the reason I called my band LA VERDAD because I wanted people to know THE TRUTH.
I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished in the short time We’ve been active. I consider myself a man among workers. Definitely working class. I’ve met so many different people. I don’t think I’m better than anyone else, Im pretty sure I know more songs than most people. I sing for my life , for my friends. I understand now that even though I can do many things in entertainment, to sing is a spiritual experience for me. One that I need to share with anyone who will listen. I tend to gravitate to dance songs but I love to tell stories, My pallet is broad and my voice is an acquired taste to some , I’m sure , but I’m honest in my delivery and I absolutely love what I do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The main struggle has been Maintaining a balance. This is not about being famous. It’s about making sense of something I had no control over for a long time. Much like Carpenter’s build cabinets and Mechanics fix cars…I sing, I write , I act, I produce, I lead my band and do business a certain way. I’m honest and take pride in my work. I don’t use people and I try to be transparent in all my endeavors. I encourage, I build. I create. The struggle is to maintain my enthusiasm and my audience invested. Not to get discouraged by harsh criticism, Not get caught up in gossip or greedy, seedy folk/ Culture. People will stab each other in the back. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong business. I’ll tend to want to People please. It’s heartbreaking. There’s a lot of passionless, greedy people that will try to use you or twist your words to make themselves look better.
I’ve learned to create boundaries to identify my supporters. To gravitate towards real talent. They say, “you want to soar with the eagles, stop hanging around turkeys” There’s also a few good people, some are jaded talented people probably even more troubling famous agencies, Directors, casting folks in great productions and people that I’m sure your readers would be surprised about…maybe not. ( no I won’t name any…this time) I can’t be famous… I care too much. This way, I don’t need any of them. Unfortunately, that’s how many of them got to where they are. Stepping on the necks and shoulders of so much REAL talent. Ok, I’m done. Wait what was the question again?
Please tell us about Gabrielito y La Verdad.
We specialize in creating special moments. Wonderful memories. We set the sonic tone and the background music to your night, through life. I am that voice you hear on your way home after my gig. Hopefully, we set the bar higher and restore your faith in live entertainment. We live in a world where you are only as good as your last performance. We try to set the bar high.
We are known for bringing quality to the table. We put our best foot forward. When you meet me, hopefully you’ll remember I was real. That I looked you straight in the eyes when we talked. This is not just an act on stage but a real person singing about other real people to real working-class people and people of all walks of life. THE TRUTH
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
No, I’m grateful for this life. Every hand I shake, every song I sing has meaning. The venues , the states, the countries, The Million Dollar theater performances. The sound of the Mariachi playing , my orchestra, my friends feels so intimate. Waiting for my cue to begin. Every time I hear any band play I feel like it’s just for me… This is the experience I try to achieve any time I jump on stage. My sanctuary. Home. I wish home on everyone.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @cantante101 @thereallaverdad @boogalooassassins
- Facebook: 1gabrielgonzalez Laverdad101. gabrielitogonzalez101
- Twitter: gabrielitos
Image Credit:
Farah Sosa
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