Carlos Martínez: “It is an Honor to be Mexican, We Must Shout It From the Rooftops — We’re Going to be Okay.”

EN ESPAÑOL

“We want people to have fun during those two or three hours, to feel joy, to gather strength,” Carlos adds.

Carlos Martínez, director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, has no doubts: being Mexican is an honor, and in the end, the problems currently happening in the United States will pass, and we will all be okay.

“Not just Mexicans, but all Latinos. It’s time to unite and support each other,” says Carlos.

Los Vargas will perform on Sunday, September 21 in Long Beach, at an event organized by Club Bonito Tecalitlán to raise funds for the construction of a dialysis clinic for the community.

“It’s important to be part of these initiatives that benefit our community. The most important thing is to help, for all of us to resolve our problems,” he adds.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is one of the most iconic symbols of Mexico. Founded about 120 years ago, it’s now in its sixth generation, preserving the traditions, culture, and discipline of its founders.

“The music we’re bringing to our concert in Long Beach is meant to lift people’s spirits and give them strength. Mexicans are very good people. Latinos are a family — it’s an honor to be Mexican,” he says.

For Carlos, one of the songs that best defines Mexican identity is “Como México No Hay Dos” (“There’s No Place Like Mexico”), which they will perform during the show, along with a medley of songs that honor Mexican heritage.

“We want people to have fun during those two or three hours, to feel joy, to gather strength,” he adds.

Carlos Martínez knows very well what it means to be a Vargas.

He grew up in a musical environment. His grandfather and father were part of this musical institution. As a child, he knew he wanted to be part of the mariachi. At parties, people would ask him if he wanted to sing a song, and he’d say, “I’ll sing two or three.”

“I’d climb onto a table and just start singing,” he says, laughing. “Now I don’t climb on tables anymore — I can’t! But I used to since I was a kid. When I finally became part of the group, it was deeply satisfying. And now, as director, it’s an even greater responsibility: to safeguard the tradition of the best mariachi in the world. I remember that as a child I learned the song Amor Eterno and sang it for my grandmother who had just passed away. I started crying. My dad told me he didn’t expect me to cry through the whole party,” he recalls, laughing.

Carlos was never shy, but he was always a romantic.

“That’s the most beautiful thing. Being in love… even heartbreak is beautiful. It reminds me of that Javier Solís song Payaso (‘Clown’), the line that says… ‘I’m a sad clown’… that feeling, you enjoy that too.”

Being part of the Vargas isn’t just a role — it’s an obligation: it’s not just about being in a band, but about representing an entire country. That requires countless hours of rehearsals and preparation, so that when they step on stage, they deliver a show worthy of their people.

Being a Vargas means being a humble and grateful musician. It means understanding the magnitude of what they represent.

“There have been times when some members relax a bit and forget, for a moment, where they are. During concerts we might notice two or three mistakes, and even if the audience leaves happy, we know it wasn’t perfect. So we talk about it afterwards. Dialogue is something we encourage a lot. We know there are bad days, and worries we all carry, but in our meetings we support one another,” he explains.

Carlos openly recognizes the talent and brilliance of his group members. He knows the dedication they’ve shown and the hard road they’ve traveled to get where they are, and he’s confident that when they step on stage, they’ll bring joy to the audience.

For any musician, becoming part of this mariachi is a crowning achievement in their career. But Carlos remains grounded:

“My mom has helped me keep my feet firmly on the ground. When we return from a tour in Europe or anywhere in the world, we tell her how well it went, how much we were applauded. And she says, ‘That’s all good, now let’s talk about what really matters — we have to thank God,’” he says. “We’re very spiritual. For me, growing up in this family, in this space, is a blessing from God. It’s my responsibility to be grateful, to do things right, to be there when we can help others. That’s our role in this world, and it’s up to us to fulfill it,” he concludes.

Concert:

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Thunder Studios

20434 S. Santa Fe Avenue

Long Beach, CA

Phone: (714) 654-3365