I went to Mexico, discovered another musical legend-of course he's dead.

Several friends and I just got back from a wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Never having been in the country before left me with a great respect for it's people and appreciation of the great sacrfice they make to earn the depreciating American dollar in order to sustain the rich culture of life back in their small, ancient, quaintly cobblestoned hamlets.
The wedding was amazing, much fun cavorting through the streets, complete with mariachis, a donkey carting tequila and my inspired doffing of a wrestling mask.
What we tend to forget to do on vacation from your normal everyday existence, refreshingly, is watch television. Although my Spanish is rough but improving there was a limited understanding of what is being shows, but with an ironic eye can still provide some amusement. The one sitting instance of Mexican TV watching I did turned to familiar territory: American Football En Deportes. Throughout the day this turned out to be the most entertaining and competitive series of games to air all year, but I felt I should not disrespect the wondrousness around me, or incur girlfriendly wrath by becoming consumed by it. What saved me was musical program that immediately hit me as unique and distinctive.
Valentin Elizalde had a group that plays "Banda music". While he looks like one of those NORTEÑO Cowboys, his singing on this in concert musical broadcast seemed flat and laid back, not terribly romantic. This band was insane! Like some carnival group in a streetfight with the Latin kings. But what made this group more insidious was the additional front line clarinet section, battling for space with the brass section and a very insistent tuba. One of the most bizarre sounding common-ethnic groups I ever heard. After a quick search, of course I find out that to his people he was wildly popular, a hero to his people and a tragic story. Killed in 2006 by suspected drug gangs 20 minutes after a gig. I mean, come on now, can't humanity catch a break? I was down on Sean Taylor before too, but has he got into trouble this year? No, after his kid was born he cleaned up his act and gets killed for it too.
Just a few more names to put under the tree and pray in my agnostic way for these great departed souls to find a better place in the hereafter.