~ Frankie Firme and The 2nd Time Around Show ~
Pues Orale!! Welcome to the 2nd Time Around website, home of Frankie Firme, the "Al Capone of the microphone, the Hitman of West Coast Chicano Soul, and the Voice of Aztlan", bringing you the finest in West Coast Chicano Oldies but Goodies and Latin Soul music on the World wide web, broadcast EXCLUSIVELY on Internet radio stations www.eastLArevue.com , and www.chicanoExpress.com, heard coast to coast, and around the World, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rain or shine......because "It's a BROWN thing, baby!"
When I first began my endeavor to bring it back, and keep it alive, I was told by 2 Los Angeles FM radio stations I interviewed with that a substantial, english speaking Chicano audience for Oldies but Goodies, Rock & Roll, and Latin Soul music just didn't exist in substantial numbers worth programming for.
7 years and over 2 million World wide listeners later, and sold out Oldies & Chicano Rock concerts all over Los Angeles have proven them wrong!
...I wish I could se their faces now!!
What is " Cruising Oldies but Goodies and West Coast Latin Soul" music ??
"Oldies but Goodies" is a music term describing a genre that includes DooWop(late 1940's-early 60's), Rock & Roll, Rythym & Blues and Early Soul/Latin Soul music(1950's-early 70's), coined by L.A. DJ Art Laboe in the late 1950's, reflecting the tastes of a young Chicano & Black audience in the Southwestern United States coming of age in the 50's, 60's & early 70's, whose musical tastes have traversed the World, being copied and enjoyed by today's artists and audiences. Indeed, many talented Chicano & Black Artists were never afforded large market exposure and are virtually unknown outside of their respective circles, despite making significant contributions to the development of American music.
"West Coast Latin Soul" can be envisioned as a mellow Chicano interpretation of Salsa, Mambo, Boleros, Cumbias, Corridos, and Tejano music mixed in with a unique blend of low-riding Chicano rock & roll, soul, funk, and classic R & B (i.e. prior to the development of hip-hop, rap, and modern day R & B), which playfully rolls with bi-lingual and spanglish lyrics.
Many a Latino & black Rock & Roll/Latin Soul artist or group on the west coast have cut their musical teeth in the L.A. area in what has now become known as the "Burrito Circuit", an assemblage of spots in the Land of 1000 Dances where a faithful Chicano music audience serve as "proving grounds". These spots include The Montebello Inn, The Norwalk Saddleback Inn, The Whittier Radisson Hotel & Lounge,The Lakewood Hop, The Santa Fe Springs swap meet, Original Mike's in Santa Ana, BB King's at the Univesal Citywalk, the L.A. Stock Exchange, The Quiet Cannon in Montebello, The Shiloh Inn in Pomona, The Tower Records Building in Monterey Park, Camacho's (formerly Pepper's), Maggie's Pub, The Fairways Country Club in Pacoima, The Universities of Los Angeles and Riverside, East L.A. College, and the 'Thee Mr. Duran Show" of the growing cable & Internet TV network.
This circuit is gradually expanding, as the adult American Chicano audience who tire easily of such commercial and artificially enhanced swollen "Latin" music genres as Banda, Reggeaton, Rock & Disco en Espanol, Latin Rap & Hip-Hop, and "much too fast" East Coast style Salsa are finding alternatives to tradional "house" music venues, and are stepping out in increasing numbers, representing a significant market of Latinos in the 40 and over age bracket.
Not suprisingly, many veteran artists are coming back out of retirement , and new artists are finding a popular audience for the "Old school", as West Coast Chicano Music grows in popularity around the World with the help of Internet Radio & TV.
Significant books have been written in the past couple of years, most notably "The Old Barrio Guide to Lowrider Music" and "Chicano Soul" by Ruben Molina, and "Land of 1000 Dances" by David Reyes and Tom Waldman, which reflect extensive in depth research into this particular and unique style of Chicano music from the 1950's to the mid 1970's, and the lifestyle it represents, "lowriding". Dancing to good music, while partying or cruising with good people, was never a crime, and this lifestyle and music continues to fascinate people all over the World.
Major Record labels such as RAMPART RECORDS of Los Angeles are also re-issuing classic West Coast Chicano Rock & Roll as a new generatio steps up to the plate and represents.
Thus, is this site dedicated to the many artists that made this music, and fans that help keep this music alive as an art form....may it live forever!
Music producer STEVEN CHAVEZ, KUCR FM'S BETOMAN, STEVE SALAS of TIERRA fame, and Mr. FRANKIE FIRME himself.
HEAR FRANKIE FIRME & THE 2ND TIME AROUND SHOW ON The EAST L.A. REVUE INTERNET JUKEBOX and CHICANO EXPRESS RADIO . The finest tunes all day & all night, rain or shine, along with other popular DJ's .
Frankie Firme teams up with the "Godfather of Tejano Soul" Crazy Chuy Hernandez 24/7 , bringing out the true Tejano ~ Chicano Soul de Aztlan! Crazy Chuy is also a member of the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame.
Frankie Firme's shows are now playing on the East L.A. Revue website radio page, along with rare Eastside sounds not heard anywhere else, along with other Chicano performers. Catch the "2nd Time Around Show" , the most listened to Oldies & Old School music radio station heard around the World! We offer you a full serving , home~style music buffet, with all you can hear!
THE 2nd TIME AROUND SHOW ~ "Bringing it back, and keeping it alive, coast to coast and around the World!"
As Chicano music becomes increasingly popular around the World, many people are beginning to ask "What else is there?", especially from foreign countries , where the Chicano culture is somewhat of an enigma that invites them to explore the artistic expression of a unique people hitherto referred to as just "another brand of Mexican"...something we are VERY much more than!
Check out my links page and what's new page for links and a hyperlink list of some of the hottest and most popular Chicano flavored websites around.
Spinnin' the finest Oldies & Latin Soul in Aztlan, bringing it back, and keeping it allive , like NOBODY else can!
It is said that music is one of the most artistic accomplishments of civilized people, and is considered a spiritual fountain of youth for many...
...I say we enjoy this accomplishment, drink deeply of this well, and live life to the fullest!!...
