Growing up in the grinding poverty of a Texas border town leaves kids with few options - menial jobs, the family business, or maybe jail as a gang member - but for a few high schoolers willing to do what it takes, their love of Tejano ...See moreGrowing up in the grinding poverty of a Texas border town leaves kids with few options - menial jobs, the family business, or maybe jail as a gang member - but for a few high schoolers willing to do what it takes, their love of Tejano music might provide a ticket out of the barrio. Sonny Orozco's world is the border town of Laredo, where opportunities are few, temptations are many, and those who don't die young, die within a few miles of where they were born. Sonny's dissatisfaction with the direction of his life is not helped by the pressure of a father who wants him to take over the family dry cleaning business. Long ago Sonny's grandfather, Wuelito, played the original, hard-driving cantina music known as Conjunto and even recorded a few of his songs. As Sonny's love for music is rekindled, he starts a band in the hope that he can redeem his late grandfather's unfinished legacy. The members consist of his best friend, Tony; a girl named Linda, who is a single-mother at 17; an alcoholic accordion player; a member of the high school marching band; and a drummer who was left mute after his throat was cut in a gang fight. They call themselves LOS WILDCATS del NORTE and they set out not knowing where the music will take them. As he pushes past expectations and opposition, Sonny must ultimately decide whether to stay on the safe and familiar path or take a chance on a different life. Written by
Kent C. Williamson
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