Chuchita’s experience playing at these informal corralejas led to an offer to join the band of Andres Landero, an accordion legend known as the “King of Cumbia.” Chuchita spent several years playing the guacharaca (musical percussion instrument usually made out of the cane-like trunk of a small palm tree and looks like an egg scrambler) in Landero’s band. During his time with the King of Cumbia, Chuchita sharpened his compositional skills contributing lyrics to Landero’s music. There is one song in particular that Chuchita vividly remembers composing.
“We were going to visit some girls who lived in the mountains. We put Andres’ (Landero) accordion in a bag, strapped it to a donkey and drank aguardiente (an anise-flavored Colombian liquor) as we walked. We were listening to the songs of the birds and Andres would ask me the names of the birds. I would tell him and he put the verses together as we walked along.”
This was the beginning to Chuchita’s ascent to becoming one of the most famous musicians in Colombia.
Remaining humble despite international renown
“I haven’t been afraid of anyone. I am not afraid of planes and I am not afraid of the public,” declared Chuchita when asked about how he likes being on stage. What is clear, is that you can take the Gaiteros Out of San Jacinto, But You Can’t Take San Jacinto Out of Los Gaiteros. “When I am in San Jacinto, I wake up every morning and sweep the floor.”
Los Gaiteros have written over 200 songs. When Chuchita was asked where he writes down the lyrics to each song he replied, “They are all in my head. It never gets erased.”
The next question was how they liked winning the Latin Grammy. “It is the happiest sensation in the world,” responded Chuchita. “When will you retire?” asked a reporter. “As long as we are healthy we will continue with this,” replied Los Gaiteros. “Grab the mango, pull the yuca, there is nothing artificial about it. I am not a lazy man, I have my virtue, I have a checkered shirt. I arrived to a pumpkin patch, my heart lit up. I know how to create sound,” added Chuchita for further clarification. “How has music changed your life?” asked this reporter to Chuchita. “I have enough corn that I can throw it in the fireplace. When I come home (to San Jacinto), I have money in my pocket.”
The latest release from Los Gaiteros gives praise to Colombia’s pre-colonial past. It is simply called, Asi Tocan Los Indios or “This is How The Indians Play.” The fourth track on the CD is a song dedicated to Chuchita’s wife called, “La Cumbia de Arnulfa Helena.” In this song, Chuchita sings about how thankful he is for having 10 children with a wonderful wife which he will never forget. Chuchita now has 36 grandchildren.
