Saturday’s 15th annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha, set to take place in Town Park rain or shine, includes a morning trail race, margarita contest and green chile cook-off and tasting, all-day kids corner, and more.
By Jacque Aragon
Patty Aragon Green Chile Classic
The 15th annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha will take place in Town Park rain or shine. The festival includes a morning trail race, a Mexican beer garden, margarita contest and green chile cook-off and tasting, all-day kids corner, and fresh green chile roasted on-site.
Sangre Joven will be returning this year with live Latin music.
Sangre Joven originated in the Northern New Mexico pueblo of Las Vegas. Their style of music consists of rancheras, cumbias, corridos, polkas and valses, traditional to their heritage for centuries.
The band began its musical journey back in 1988 when Lorenzo Miguel Gallegos and brother Daniel Lee Gallegos founded the group. Several other members have attributed to the success throughout the last two decades including artists such as Robert Gonzales, Michael Marquez y Dulzura, Joaquin Maestas of Quemoso, Bobby Madrid and Lorenzo Miguel. The result of these collaborations was 11 successful CDs. The first album was recorded in 1989 and was entitled “Sangre Joven De Las Vegas, New Mexico.”
Three other albums followed, “Esta Vida,” “On The Run” and “Mal Ideas” which were such a huge success that they established Sangre Joven as an opening act for Los Lobos in 1994.
From these four albums, numerous original hits were produced including “Linda Morena,” “Esta Vida,” “Chiquitita de Mi Vida,” “Triste Aqui,” “Soy Musiqero,” “El Carrito Chevy (55)” and many more.
During the summer of 1998, Sangre Joven released its fifth CD titled “Mala Sangre.” This album boasted an impressive brass section that was added and more original songs. Sangre Joven wrote and arranged “Alegre Corazon,” “Poco A Poco,” “Sin tus Besos,” “La Mas Hermosa” and “Besitos de Amor” (which was nominated for Best Salsa/Tropical song of the year). This CD’s success inspired and encouraged them to record a new enhanced CD entitled “Nortenisimo.”
In 2006, Sangre Joven released an all-original CD titled “Sangre Joven,” which consisted of 10 original songs all written by Daniel Lee Gallegos in the style of New Mexico music. Two of the original songs off the CD, “Te Me Fuistes” and “Y Que” appeared in the top five on KSLV’s “Horas Latina” with Jerry Medina in Monte Vista, Colo. Also, a TV appearance on the “Anthony Segura Show” in Albuquerque in late December of that year elevated the band to new heights.
From 2009 to 2012, Daniel Lee Gallegos decided to put Sangre Joven on the back burner. He concentrated on releasing two CDs with his brothers Rey and Francisco Gallegos. The CDs, entitled “Puro, Pinche, Party” and “A.T.M.” brought many nominations in several categories of the New Mexico Hispano Music Association. Daniel Lee Gallegos also released his first solo CD, “Puras Conocidas.” It earned him a nomination for Corrido of the Year for Reyes Ruiz.
In 2013 the band went through a transformation and became a five-piece group again, tying its music to its traditional roots. They released a CD called “Act Right” (“Portate Bien”) and toured the southwest states of New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. They also got nominated for Salsa/Tropical Song of the Year for the song La Camisa Negra by the New Mexico Hispano Music Association.
With such tremendous success, the band released its ninth studio album titled “Que Viva La Raza” in 2014 and it catapulted them to perform over 100 shows that year at many casinos, fiestas, weddings, family reunions and private functions.
In 2015, Daniel Lee Gallegos released his second solo CD, “Hasta El Ultimo Cartucho,” and he started performing with a full brass horn section, in full New Mexican style. Later that year, Los Gallegos Brozz released their third studio CD,“Puros Exitos.”
In 2016, Sangre Joven released its 10th CD called “Fierce” with Bobby Madrid, and the song “Carta Jugada” hit No. 1 in Colorado (KSLV) and is on heavy rotation at all major radio stations in New Mexico.
In 2018, Sangre Joven released its 11th CD entitled “Corridos.
In 2019, Sangre Joven released its 12th studio CD entitled “30th Anniversary 1989-2919,” celebrating 30 years in the music industry with thousands of shows and a total of 19 albums combined.
Daniel Lee Gallegos was presented with the 2019 Corazon de Cultura Award in Music by the Hispanic Heritage Committee for his accomplishments with promoting and preserving Hispanic culture, history and heritage for 30 years.
The band released its 13th studio album entitled “2020” and has been well received during the pandemic with three No. 1 hits on the charts.
The band members are Manny Lucero (drums), Gerald (bass), Ray Lucero (saxophone), Bobby Madrid (trumpet), and the original band member Daniel Lee Gallegos (lead guitar/vocals).
Sangre Joven’s goal is to keep New Mexico music, rancheras alive and make people happy with their God-given talent.
We hope to see you dancing at the Cha Cha.
