The Bongodogs
Puro Caliche
Caliche Music - an eclectic mix of latin, jazz, reggae, and blues born in the Rio Grande Valley of deep south Texas.
The Bongodogs' Puro Caliche is the first CD released by this South Texas Caliche Music band. Recorded in 2001, when fan requests for recordings finally became too much to bear, it includes eleven classic Bongodogs songs.
The Bongodogs have been together since 1995, playing their own music in their own original style. Caliche music has a bouncing latin-flavored beat that keeps you dancing all night long. The Bongodogs' big brassy horn section is up front and center in the band. Their songs, sung in English and Spanish, tell of the people and events around their home in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
If you can't be on the beach under the stars, with a fun rum drink in your hand and the warm breeze blowing through your hair...this is the next best thing!
The Bongodogs' Puro Caliche features:
JOEY TAMAYO – Lead Vocals and Percussion
The former drummer with the infamous Connectors, Joey is a native of Brownsville from a very musical family. Oddly enough, he got his start playing clarinet in high school. He attended Notre Dame University, where he played (what else?) bass drum in the marching band. Joey is the artistic and spiritual center of the Bongodogs, and the genesis of the CALICHE sound. Joey continues to write and guide the Bongodogs musical journey.
CATHI QUICK - Trombone and vocals.
An oil field brat, Cathi grew up in Canada, the Phillipines, Ecuador, and Austrailia before coming to Texas. She holds a Masters Degree in Music from Texas Tech University. Cathi works as a band director in Sharyland, gigs throughout Texas, and also holds down the second trombone chair in the Valley Symphony Orchestra. Cathi lives with David and their three cats in Harlingen.
DAVID CASSADY - Bass.
David came to the Valley in 1983 from Chicago, where he trained classically at the American Conservatory of Music. David works as the Orchestra Director at Harlingen High School, and is on the faculty at the University of Texas at Brownsville. He teaches bass privately and, when not out howlin' with the 'dogs, he is the principal bassist of the Valley Symphony Orchestra and can be seen freelancing with big bands, orchestras, and shows throughout the Valley and South Texas. David lives life as the luckiest man in the world in Harlingen, married to Cathi.
VICTOR SANCHEZ – Trumpet.
Victor is a Band Director at Edinburg High School. Victor's OTHER hobby is photography. His wildlife shots have received awards and acclaim at various shows, including the Valley Land Fund Photography competition.
DR. TOM SMITH – Trumpet.
Tom is a Florida native and currently professor of trumpet and jazz studies at Barry College in Georgia. Before Tom became "Doctor Tom", he lived on the Island and worked as a band director in Weslaco and Los Fresnos. Tom now spends his summers on the Island, playing with the Bongodogs.
MICHAEL SILVA – Sax.
Originally from McAllen Texas, Michael graduated from the University of Texas in Austin where he served as lead saxophone for the University of Texas Jazz Band. He travels as a musician and has released two solo CD's. Michael recently moved to San Antonio where he works on his new band and is preparing to attend Law School. He visits often to play with the Bongodogs and do a DJ gig at Louie's Backyard.
LOOSE REED (aka Steve Owen) – Sax.
Loose is a massage therapist and owns About Time For Massage at the Island. Living in the Valley since 1991, Loose played bass for Tequila Mockingbird and Bagadonuts Blues Band before hooking up with the 'DOGS. He is a diversly talented musician who can currently be seen playing bass for various bands throughout the Valley. Loose lives in Port Isabel with his wife Donna.
LOUIE VILLAREAL – Guitar.
Louie is a native of Brownsville where he lives with his wife and two girls. When not strumming on the guitar, Louie runs an event center in Matamoros, Mexico.
ERNIE "MARACAS" MUNOZ – Percussion.
Ernie walked in to a gig one night with a bag of maracas, extra beers for the band, and a huge smile. He's been in our hearts and our line-up ever since. If you ask nice, he'll show you just how he tunes those maracas!
World: Island