Hall of Fame Inductees

Step into the story of Texas conjunto music a tradition built by legendary pioneers and visionary trailblazers. Explore our inductees, discover their stories, and celebrate the years that marked their place in conjunto history. We've inducted over 109 musicians and industry figures who have broken barriers, paving the way for future generations to carry forward conjunto a true American genre.

The pioneering founders: Narciso Martinez, Santiago Jimenez and Armando Marroquin.

Celebrate the visionaries who built the foundation of conjunto music. Narciso Martinez and Santiago Jimenez stand as the celebrated fathers of the genre, establishing the iconic interplay of accordion and rhythm. Alongside them, Armando Marroquin made historic strides as the first Hispanic entrepreneur to launch his own record label, IDEAL Records. Explore their induction years, archival recordings, and influential discographies in our interactive exhibits.

The masters of accordion: Esteban Jordan, Eva Ybarra, Mingo Saldivar, and Valerio Longoria.

Conjunto accordion styles evolved dramatically through extraordinary master musicians. Valerio Longoria revolutionized the craft by standing with the accordion and integrating lead vocals. Esteban Steve Jordan pushed sonic boundaries as the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion, infusing jazz and psychedelic rock into classic rhythms. Eva Ybarra earned her title as "La Reina del Acordeon" through unrivaled technical mastery, while Mingo Saldivar energized crowds across generations as the beloved "Dancing Cowboy."

Cultural icons: Max Baca, Ruben Vela Sr. & Johnny Canales.

From the powerhouse rhythms of bajo sexto master Max Baca to the distinctive accordion styles of Ruben Vela Sr. Trailblazers like Johnny Canales brought conjunto performers directly into millions of living rooms as a celebrated television host. Experience their rare memorabilia and history for yourself during your visit to San Benito, or nominate a future inductee today.

Roster of Hall of Fame inductees

Discover the pioneering musicians, composers, and cultural advocates who have defined the sound of Texas conjunto music across the decades:

Class of 2001

  1. Juan Lopez
  2. Esteban "Steve" Jordan
  3. Mingo Saldivar
  4. Cesario "Chayo" Leal

Class of 2002

  1. Narciso Martinez
  2. Valerio Longoria
  3. Eligio Escobar
  4. Domingo Pena

Class of 2003

  1. Gilberto Perez Sr.
  2. Ruben Vela Sr.
  3. Santiago Jimenez Sr.
  4. Pedro Ayala
  5. Alfredo "Freddie" Gomez
  6. Chris Strachwitz

Class of 2004

  1. Raul "Ruco" Martinez
  2. Amadeo Flores
  3. Leonardo "Flaco" Jimenez
  4. Martin Rosales

Class of 2005

  1. Santiago Jimenez Jr.
  2. Ricardo Guzman
  3. Enrique Vela
  4. Santiago Almeida
  5. Paco Betancourt

Class of 2006

  1. Paulino Bernal
  2. Abelardo "Cha Cha" Jimenez
  3. Mario Montez
  4. Tony De la Rosa
  5. Fernando Sanchez

Class of 2007

  1. Beatriz Llamas
  2. Gilberto Garcia
  3. Ramiro Cavazos
  4. Chano Cadena
  5. Armando Marroquin

Class of 2008

  1. Bene Medina 
  2. Pepe Maldonado
  3. Benny Layton 
  4. Agapito Zuniga
  5. Jesus "Chuy" De Leon

Class of 2009

  1. Eloy Bernal
  2. Eva Ybarra
  3. Arnaldo Ramirez
  4. Henry Zimmerele Jr. 
  5. Oscar Hernandez

Class of 2010

  1. Ruben Naranjo
  2. Roberto Pulido
  3. Gilberto Lopez
  4. Hector Barron
  5. Dr. Manuel Pena

Class of 2011

  1. Angel Flores
  2. Daniel Garzes
  3. Ramon Ayala
  4. Ruben Garza
  5. Rogelio Botello Rios

Class of 2012

  1. Wally Gonzalez
  2. Eddie "Lalo" Torres
  3. Linda Escobar
  4. Ernesto Guerra
  5. Hector Galan

Class of 2013

  1. David Lee Garza
  2. Juan Sifuentes
  3. Mario Saenz
  4. Ramon Medina
  5. Johnny Canales

2014- No Induction Ceremony

Class of 2015

  1. Carlos Guzman
  2. Juan Antonio Tapia
  3. Arturo Nino
  4. Amado- Banda
  5. Manuel G. Davila Sr.

Class of 2016

  1. June P. Garcia
  2. Juan Tejada
  3. Julian Figueroa
  4. David Farias
  5. Juan Tovar

Class of 2017

  1. Emilio Aguilar
  2. Genaro Aguilar
  3. Jessy Serrata
  4. Tomas Vasquez
  5. Rick Garcia

Class of 2018

  1. Willie Lopez
  2. Pedro Ayala Jr.
  3. Rene Luna
  4. Norfilia Layton

Class of 2019

  1. Higinio Guzman
  2. Martin Zapata
  3. Joe Sanchez
  4. Lupe Saenz

2020–2022: COVID Years — No Induction Ceremony

Class of 2023

  1. Reynaldo Avila Sr.
  2. Baldemar Huerta
  3. Jaime De Anda
  4. Tony Vasquez
  5. Role Florez
  6. Martin Velasquez
  7. Cornelio Reyna
  8. Adan De la Roda

Class of 2024

  1. Gilberto Rodriguez
  2. Kenji  Katsube
  3. Gilberto Reyes Jr.
  4. Johnny Degollado
  5. Max Baca
  6. Nicholas Villarreal
  7. Martin H. Solis Jr.
  8. Hilario Jimenez
  9. Frutoso Villarreal
  10. Los Tigres del Norte  (Jorge Sr, Hernan, Edwardo, Luis  & Oscar)

Class of 2025

  1. Samuel G. Ramos Sr.
  2. Jose Moreno
  3. Placido Salazar
  4. Bobby Salinas
  5. Guadalupe Nino
  6. Freddie Martinez Sr.

Class of 2026

  1. Cande Aguilar Sr.
  2. Johnny Guerrero
  3. Salome Gutierrez
  4. J.P. Moreno
  5. Jose Luis Garza
  6. Ramon Hernandez