Chano Cadena y su Conjunto, early 60's
L-R: Tony Benavides- drums, Ernesto Cadena
-bass,Chano Cadena-accordion,Fito Flores-vocals, 
Ruben Naranjo-2nd accordion, Rogelio Montemayor-
bajo sexto.  Ruben Naranjo's talent was 
was so evident that Chano brought him into 
the conjunto to form something very rarely seen 
at the time--a two accordion attack. 
Ruben would soon after form his own conjunto and begin 
to form his own great legacy pioneering a conjunto
sound unique to South Texas.

Chano Cadena with Johnny Canales
Sporting a Buddy Holly look, a young Johnny
Canales is seen here posing with Chano on the
conjunto circuit June 1963.  

La Terraza Ballroom, 
Corpus Christi, TX late 1960's 

Tonio Vasquez joins the group 
to plant the seeds of one of 
the most successful       
era's for the conjunto. 
He would later team with 
Fidel Cavazos to form       
a vocal dual that would 
define the sound of Chano Cadena
y su Conjunto.  This era would
take the group to its zenith in 
popularity and talent.

EVENT POSTER 1970's
This lineup of Chano, Tonio Vasquez,
Fidel Cavazos and Abelino Ortiz resulted
in perhaps the most success for the 
group in terms of popularity and talent. The conjunto's 
incorporation of "musica romantica" like bolero's
cumbias and danzones expanded the conjunto's
musical repertoire and audience.