As originally Published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition February 2014
The McAllen Heritage Center, museum of history and culture is pleased to announce the new honoree in the “Called to Higher Service” exhibit is country music icon Rolando Garcia, Sr. also known as “Country Roland”. Country Roland created a special and danceable brand of country music intricately woven with Mexican ballads “corridos” and classic country sounds that resulted in countless loyal fans that still enjoy his music today. The Country Roland Band has continued to flourish with his daughters, Gore Hernandez and Judy Garcia, and grandsons, Rene Gonzalez, Jr. and Matthew Gonzalez, still performing in many venues.
McAllen Heritage Center welcomes the public to attend the exhibit opened as of February 1, 2014 p.m. at the museum located at 301 S. Main Street (across from JC Penney). The exhibit features his life history in photos and artifacts, album covers, concert posters and his numerous awards as well as his beloved guitar and favorite cowboy hat and concert attire.
Country Roland was born on July 27, 1932 in Falfurrias, Texas to Fidel Garcia & Manuelita de la Garza Garcia. He was one of four brothers and seven sisters. Roland started school in El Remolino, Texas, and, at the age of seven, the family moved to Flint, Michigan to work in the sugar beet fields. Roland fondly recalled that the family entertainment consisted of evenings spent sitting by the radio listening to the Grand Ole Opry. At that young age he fell in love with Country Music memorizing the lyrics of his favorite songs.
At the age of eight years, Roland experienced his first on-stage performance before an audience. He was with his father who decided to stop in for refreshment at a local “honky tonk”. There was a live band providing entertainment and one of the patrons requested the song Have You Ever Been Lonely that was a hit for Web Pierce at that time. The band’s vocalist did not know the lyrics and asked if anyone in the audience knew the song. Roland’s father answered, “My son does”, so he was asked to join the band on stage and sing the requested song.
Roland’s family returned to Texas in 1948 when he was sixteen years old. They settled in McAllen where he met and fell in love with Aurora Ayala, the daughter of pioneer Valley dairy farmers, Margarito Ayala and Dolores Elizondo Ayala. They soon married and started their family, which grew to include six daughters and one son. Roland worked hard to support his young family and took guitar lessons at night eager to fulfill his dream of being a part of the entertainment industry. Roland’s musical career began in the early 1960’s as a member of a local band and shortly thereafter, he left to form his band along with three friends. It was then that the daughter of one of his musicians christened him Country Roland.
Roland performed at the popular nightspots interpreting a variety of country music, which included top forty as well as the favored oldies. Although country music was his passion, he also held a soft spot for the music offered by renowned Mexican artists that he had also heard while growing up. Curious as to the public’s reaction, he incorporated his favorite Spanish selections into his performance, however, interpreting them in the unique manner that came to be described as the Country Roland Style. The response was overwhelming and his followers grew by leaps and bounds.
During this era, Roland had begun his career with the McAllen Fire Department, starting on February 1st, 1967. He enjoyed his position, was a dedicated employee and ascended to the position of Assistant Fire Marshal in a very short time. However, he was forced to retire in 1978 because his musical career was assuming a full time position demanding much of his time. He again worked in the fire suppression industry serving as Hidalgo County Fire Marshal from April 1st, 1985 through December 31st, 1992. During Roland’s years of service to fire safety, his official call sign was “Papa One”. On Sunday, April 14th, 2013, Roland was honored by the Rio Grande Valley Firefighter’s and Fire Marshal’s Association for his service and dedication.
By this time, several of Roland’s children had joined his group comprising The Country Roland Band. With his unique talent for integrating Spanish and English selections and interpreting them Country Roland Style, he initiated an industry that spread like wild fire, infiltrated the airwaves, and procured a variety of groups along the way that aspired to achieve the recognition of the originator, Mr. Country Roland. It comprised an era exclusive in its longevity and which will never end.
Over the years, Country Roland has received numerous awards and plaques for his musical interpretations, for being a trendsetter in the Chicano Country Market, and for his meritorious contribution to many worthy causes. He was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in Alice, Texas in September 2003 and into the Edinburg, Texas Walk of Fame in 2004.
In 2003, the industry paid homage to Country Roland commemorating his more than forty years in the business with a tribute at the renowned Villa Real Special Events Center. At that time, their esteemed City Commissioners presented him with a key to the City of McAllen.
The Hidalgo Borderfest organization inducted Country Roland into their Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame in 2010 for his achievements and contribution to the music industry.
The Country Roland Band boasts over fifteen albums and twenty-five CD’s, which receive airplay in many Countries, some of which have also been featured in Mexican films. The song that Roland always fondly attributed to the launch of the Tejano Country Music Industry was “Hace Un Año” which he affectionately referred to as “La Revolucion De La Onda”, giving it credit as the foundation of the evolution of the Country Roland Band. Other all time favorites include La Linda Mujer, Se Me Hizo Fácil, Mis Carritos and Hechame A Mi La Culpa, which is included in the album that was so aptly titled “Kicker Daddy”.
The band also toured the U.S. and Mexico, appeared on popular television musical programs and hosted their own musical program in the early 1970’s, which aired Saturday evenings.
Throughout his career, Country Roland’s philosophy remained the same – the public always dictated his performance. On many occasions, his entire presentation consisted of requests coming from the audience. It may be the reason that Mr. Country Roland maintains the record, which will never be broken, for sold out performances on three consecutive nights at the Villa Real Special Events Center.
To date, his faithful fans recognize him as an icon and members of the industry refer to him as “The Living Legend”, but he always remained the same down to earth individual, who was always generous with his affection and quick to express his pride at the accomplishments of his family. He took great comfort in knowing that through his family, the Country Roland legacy will continue for generations.
For more information about the Country Roland Band, call Gore Hernandez at 956-802-7733 or Rene Gonzalez at 956-309-0518 or visit their Facebook page The Country Roland Band. TBB
