Anne Gutierrez
BBL 3023
Oral Interview -
April 30,2009 Anne Gutierrez
BBL 3023
Interview Project
ORAL History
My interview will start now. First, I would like to begin by asking you to tell me your name and a little bit about yourself.
What is your name?
Veronica Vazquez
When and where were you born?
I was born in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon Mexico on April 14,1972
Were you raised there?
Yes I was raised there until the age of 18, and then my family moved to the
United States in May 1991.
How do you identify yourself culturally?
I identify myself first as Mexican since I did grow up there and I was raised there.
I do consider myself Mexican -American also because I have lived in the states
for half my life now and I did get my American citizenship.
What is your first recollection of music? My first memories of music are listening to the music my parents used to listen to.
I remember having the radio on at about the age of 5 or so as my parents would
get ready to go to work and it seemed that the radio usually stayed on as my mom
did housework or as we cleaned up and did our chores.
What Type Of music did your parents listen to?
My parents mainly listened to Spanish music, mainly music such as
corrrido, polkas, and conjunto mainly -real life stories written into song
usually about fights or family problems the corridos were very popular
that would describe what some Mexicans would go thru trying to cross the
border and work to support the family.
How did this music make you feel?
Most of this music was real life stories and did not have happy endings, usually
made me feel sad because it was usually a very tragic song or about issues that
had caused people pain. Some of the music was fun and upbeat and music that
people would dance to.
Where did you family go to listen to the music?
Oh we went to weddings, Quinceneras, birthday parties, even funerals and family
reunions. We also went to church events and festivals. All of these events
involved music and most of the family was included in these events. Where else do you remember listening to music?
I remember listening to music mostly around the house that the radio was always
on as my father worked in the yard or on the car. The radio never really was off
because we also used to listen to the news and to Mexican programs. so it rarely
stopped at my house. We also listened to it in the car and on road trips.
What were the popular bands of that time?
. I remember several different artist of my parents time 10s Tigre's de Norte,
Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante Jose Alfiedo Jimenez, Antonio Aguilar , At this
time the music I remember was mostly solo singers. Some of these artists are still
recording and still just as popular as ever. The singers were popular in Mexico
and in the states. I remember hearing them on the radio and on Mexican programs
.My brothers and sisters all are familiar with this music because of our parents
and when I hear this music it reminds me of when I was little.
What was the Message of that music at that time?
It depends on what type of music we were listening to it was pretty sad,
Was mostly tragic, was usually mainly about sad real life stories that did not have
happy endings. Some of it was also about very happy events. Usually the message
was about how people solved their problems or how some brave people dealt with
life issues .Some of them were about protecting your family and about working
hard. Some of the corridos discussed the tragedies some people had to go through to cross the border and work in the states. 17ne music sometimes was about
missing your family; a lot of fathers would go away for extended periods of time
and work and send their money home.
At what age did you become aware of the different varieties of music?
I think it was about my pre- teen years. When we mainly used to listen to
our parents music but then I started having my own music preferences .We
had several bands in Mexico that were aimed at teenagers and we were
also aware of Rock and Roll like Michael Jackson, and Sheila Easton and
all those because even though Michael Jackson never recorded with
Mexican Artists some American artists did record with Mexican artists
and mostly we didn't understand the language we knew they were popular
so everybody would listen to the music even though we didn't know what
was being said we still listened to this music. That was also the time that
Madonna was very popular and you can just imagine if Madonna was
controversial in the states it was a lot more controversial in Mexico. Our
parents were not very happy about the dance associated with her style or
about the way she dressed and exposed her stomach and breasts. The way
she came across as very sexual and aggressive is not usually how Mexican
women allow their daughters to dress.
What were the names of some of the popular bands of your teenage years?
There was popular groups like Menudo, Luis Miguel, There was one
group called Parcheesi that Oh My God were so popular .Their was so many others that we used to listen to but they weren't that mainstream or
as popular as the other bands. The dance of these groups was usually a
dance routine choreographed that was done at the same time by the
members of the group. Break dancing was also becoming popular as well
at thls time due to the influence of Michael Jackson and The type of music
was associated with a fiee-style type of dance that just allowed you to put
your own taste of dance moves that you like doing.
How did you find this music?
I found this music mainly by hanging out with fiiends and by listening to different
radio stations than my parents. Their was also a popular tv showed that would be
compared to American Idol. The program in Mexico was really well known, the
singers that came from all over Hispano-America would compete to win a prize
just like American Idol. From that competition the singers that would win would
make it and be like the Hannah Montana of that time. They became the pop stars
that were very famous.
Where did you go to hear this music?
Family get- togethers, dances ,weddings aimed at entertaining the children
because at that time children went everywhere with their parents ,Now a days on
the wedding invitation says no children allowed but before we would all get
together for family celebrations.
Did you consider it mainstream music? Some of it was considered mainstream. Bands like Menudo and Parchisi
are compared to New Kids on The Block and NSync. An artist named
Thalia was a member of the Parchis group and she was compared to an
American pop star named Mariah Carey. In fact the record producer
Tommy Mottola married both of these women. Most of my fiiends or
other people my age liked it so yes I do consider it to have been a
mainstream type of music. I wasn't sure when I first heard Menudo that
they would have such a large following or that they would be thought of as
teen heartthrobs. Usually it was not the Mexican or Spanish boy or Puerto
Rican boy being considered a heartthrob in the states.
Their music was funand upbeat and I guess that's why they did so well.
They were fairly similar to the New Kids on the Block-
See picture inserts- Menudo Compared to New Kids on the Block
Menudo- 1984 , ..
New Kids On The Block-1984.
The artists have been compared to each other in the 1980s when I was a teenager,
one group was all white and the other group was all Puerto Rican. Both were
popular in Mexico and in the states around the same time period. In Mexico the
group members were forced out of the band at age 16 that's why .there is over 30
former Menudo members. I think both groups also tried for a comeback in the
early to mid 2000's.
Some other Mexican groups or artists that came out of Mexico and made it big
was Ricky Martin who was the first replacement of an original Menudo member
and Luis Miguel.
Did this music you listen to have a particular dress style associated with it?
Oh yes most definitely, the bands like Menudo were well known for their
tailored Jackets and tight fancy tight jeans. The group all wore matching outfits.
The outfits were very flashy, very 80's style. The guys my age were wearing
jackets with the sleeves rolled up and colorful t-shirts underneath and tight jeans
folded tightly around the ankle. Headbands and wristbands also became popular among the guys dress style. They were walking around wearing the style of the
Menudo group. The teenage girls who liked this type of music also dressed a
certain way. I remember that big hair was really in style. Some girls wore their
hair in side pony tails and or in a banana clip. Our make up was always done and I
remember that bright colors were in, Blue mascara was also in. We wore brightly
colored plastic or rubber bracelets and big earrings. The clothes we were wearing
were mainly short skirts and high heels. Nice dressy blouses not too revealing but
also somewhat flashy. We liked sequins and bright colors even neon colors like
green and orange. Denim jackets and acid washed faded jeans was also very
popular. I also remember wearing leggings and leg warmers. Parachute pants also
were popular for the guys and the girls. It's funny now to think of the style that
was once considered cool; it's also hyto think that some of the 80's fashion is
making a comeback into what's fashionable now.
Do you think that teenage girls now and teenage girls in the 90's dress the same?
Teenage girls now dress a lot sexier now than back in the 90's.I would not have
been allowed out of my house in half shirts that show your belly and super low-
rise jeans. These girls think it's cool if their thong underwear is being exposed,
but the teenage girls want to look like Britney Spears and MiIey Cyrus-because
they think that it's normal to dress that way and abnormal to dress where most of
your body parts are covered up. Was the dress style the same when you moved to the states by 1990s?
Yes and no, I didn't have to make a great big adjustment to the type of
clothes I was wearing. I moved to South Texas and a lot of the fashlon was
still the same. You could tell us apart by how we dressed but it wasn't that
big of a deal.
Did the people who listened to this type of music as you hang out in certain places?
Where did you go to listen to this music?
Yes we did hang in certain places, we would hang out at each others houses and at
birthday parties and just listen to music, and sometimes we would go out to teen
clubs and dance a little bit. Sometimes we would go to school dances or football
games and just listen to this music in the car. Every now and then people would
have quinceneras or weddings and the dj would play all types of music like I said
earlier gatherings and celebrations invited all the family and all different types of
music would be played, they would play a little something for everybody.
Did your parents like the type of music you were listening to as a teenager?
They didn't really mind what I was listening to; sometimes they didn't
understand what I like about the music or how I could identie with it because to
them it was different or maybe weird some singers they thought were weird was
like Vanilla ice. And MC hammers. To my parents the punk rock look or the Goth
phase were extremely different and had a very negative connotation to it. Some people thought that if like if you like that music you are evil or worshp the devil
or you are a vampire. The extreme tattoos and Mohawks were also not very
popular with my family and fiiends.
How did you get this music? Did you buy the cds or records?
No we would all just share the music I would maybe buy one and my
friend would buy one and then we would just burn them and make copies.
It wasn't like the way it is now where everyone has their iPods and mp3
players. A lot of this music was played on the radio so you could just
record it on a tape and make mixes of your favorite songs.
Did you ever get to see any live performances? Where did you see them? What type of
Venue?
Yes as a teenager I was able to see several different groups that would be
considered popular such as Shalura and Luis Miguel. I also saw Red hot chili
peppers and Tool. They usually performed at pretty big stadiums or concert
arenas. I saw most of them in Monterey Mexico and here in the States.
Do you thnk the music that you listen to as a teenager has the same message as the music teenagers are listening to now?
Oh absolutely not. When I was a teenager the music was fairly innocent, even
though Madonna was on the teen scene and talked about virginity and dressed provocatively, it still does not compare to how things are now. Girls showed some
skin but did not take it all off. We used to at least leave a little for the imagination.
The lyrics used to talk about being nervous about going on a date, or about kissing
and holding hands-now the music has such sexually explicit lyrics about sex and
about taking people home with you after the club. Another shocking thing is it is
not just the male artists that use profanity or use sexually explicit lyrics; women
are just as guilty of using those things in their lyrics. Also back then the lyrics
didn't really contain bad words now it's really common to hear bad words in a
song. Back in the 80's when a lot of antidrug campaigns were in effect, such as
DARE aimed at the youth to stay away from drugs. Drugs back then were not
talked about in songs now certain music describes smoking pot and feeling hlgh,
Different pills and how they affect you can sometimes be heard in the lyrics of
songs now. It's almost like putting the idea in their heads to try the drugs because
they are cool or they make you feel good.
Has your taste in music stayed the same since you were a teenager?
No not at all as I got older I kind of got away from listening to Spanish music. I
was exposed to different types of music when I moved into the states. I have a
broad range of music that I liked in my 20's and early 30's.The music I like
ranges from soft rock such as Coldplay, to harder stuff like Alanis Morrisette in
this time period I really like everything a little bit of country music even though im not sure of the band name or group name I like It. I liked a little bit of hard
core rock like tool and Metallica. I guess it just depended on the mood I was in.
Did your family and fiiends influence what you were listening to at this time?
Yes if I was hanging out with fiiends and we were going to get dressed up and go
out then I like music that was fun to dance to and that was upbeat These nights
sometimes we would have a few drinks and then go out dancing all night and just
having fun..If we were just hanging out having a few beers at some ones
apartment or at little holes in the wall bars I guess I liked bands like Red hot Chili
peppers and Tool. If I was with family or my parents I might listen to Luis Miguel
or some other solo artist that was easy to listen to.
Do different types of music affect your mood?
Yes it does, Rock now gets me prefty irritated and does not relax me at all. I feel
like it gets me angry or irritable. Not all music does but it has changed s o much I
really don't listen to the radio or to certain music anymore.
Have you ever used music as an escape?
Not so much as an escape but some music has helped me cope with different
situations. I use music in different ways. I use music to get me motivated at the
gym ,I use music to relax me when I feel high strung and I sometimes like to listen to music to help me fall asleep .Music is also used to help me celebrate
different events with family and friends.
So as you got older you said your taste in music has changed. What do you find yourself listening to now?
Lately the type of music that I find myself listening to now is mainly Christian
music. It is a very easy listening type of music that really helps me to relax and
unwind. This music makes me feel at peace when I have had a bad day or when I
am feeling irritable or moody. It helps me to find patience to deal with the stress
of balancing a full time job and being a mother to two small children.
Does this type of music wish to accomplish something with their lyrics?
Oh yes they do. The music I listen to wants to bring awareness about God into
your life. They want to bring the Gospel into your busy day and remind you of
what's important .Sometimes I am driving around between patients or maybe
stuck in traffic and if I listen to this music it seems to erase the frustrations that
are building up. I like to listen to it on my way to pick the children up from school
after a long day. I recently bought a cd that I can pop in and it really helps to relax
me and also helps me distress before I get to the kids so that way I can have the
patience for the evening routine.
Do you think that since you identify yourself as a Christian music fan you are looked at or thought of or judged differently?
No I never really noticed anybody thinking my music is different .I don't usually
care too much about what other people think so maybe that's why I haven't
noticed. My musical interest shouldn't really matter to anybody anyway. Do you think your musical interest has an influence on your children?
I hope that it does at least get them familiar to certain beliefs. The music does not
contain any bad words or lyrics that are negative or sexual and I think that it is a
good clean type of music for them to hear. The kids do have Disney radio in the
car and I prefer them to listen to that because it is more age appropriate but I don't
mind them listening to Christian music. I rarely hear any radio when they are with
me because the songs contain bad words and I don't want them to learn stuff like
that at such a young age-If I can keep their world clean for them then I think that
is what is most important .I feel the same way about television, I do not allow tv
shows that promote violence or sex or fighting behavior to be on when my 3yr old
and 22 month old are around.
What do you think is the future of music?
Personally I feel like music is going downhill, not all of it is bad but there is such
a large amount of artists that choose to mention sex and drugs or maybe a few bad
words in their music, I guess if they have a large following of fans then I guess
they will continue to make this kind of music but I really think the producers and
recording labels should get the teen pop stars to clean up their act and do things
that are good like be of service to their community and not just some star with a
body that can be exploited. These stars have young girls that look up to them and
that consider them role models. They should act like role models and dress
appropriately and sing about reaching your goals and not about going to the club
and getting drunk. I just don't think music had to turn to such bad words and ideas. I refuse to believe that that is what our generation wants to put into the minds of our young ones. So I guess I just chose not to listen to it. And I choose not to let my kids listen to it until they reach a certain age or until I think its gotten cleaned up.
Well, we have discussed several different factors as we did this oral history, such as what was popular in Mexico and what was popular in the states .We also compared the dress style of the 80's .Do you have any other insight or anything you want to add?
Well it did help me to look back and remember the funtimes of being a teenager.
It also reminded me of a time that was more innocent and not so vulgar. Even though I used to like a lot of popular music my taste has really changed.
I agree, I think as we get older all of our tastes changes a little.
Thank you for your insight and for agreeing to do ths interview. I appreciate your time and insight into your past years in Mexico and in the states.