About Me
Gustavo Rodriguez Bio: Born in Colorado City, Texas of a single parent family with 9 siblings. Gustavo was raised in a small west Texas town, Sterling City. His early musical influences were KJST Radio station out of San Angelo, Texas and frequent visits from about age 12 on up, to El Paraiso Ballroom also of San Angelo; where an array of live music and a wide variety of genres such as cumbia, tropical, ballenato colombiano and ranchera were performed and promoted. At age 13, Gustavo’s mother bought a guitar that had only 3 strings in which he fiddled with. At the age of 15, Gustavo learned the tuba and joined the Golden Eagle Band out of Sterling City and played in the Marching and Symphonic band during his High School years. During his Senior year in High School, Gustavo acquired a classical guitar from his younger brother that he received while mowing a neighbor’s yard. Gustavo took the guitar with him to University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) were he learned how to play songs by being a member of the Catholic Campus Ministry. After being in UTEP for two years, Gustavo moved to Indiana to join his older siblings who were attending Ball State University. While working at a local Mexican restaurant, Gustavo landed his first paid performance while playing traditional Mexican music while customers waited to be seated. Tired of playing the same old traditional music, Gustavo started writing about his adventures being away from Atzlan, which include themes such as love, history, culture, beliefs and social justice and human rights. Being a Chicano away from his homeland, Gustavo witnessed many injustices and ill treatment of his people. He grew even more interested in history in which he promulgates in his songs. The longer Gustavo lived away from his homeland, the more he missed the culture of his people. A year later, Gustavo moved back to Texas bringing back his experiences in song. He continued writing music in San Antonio. After being in San Antonio for a week, Gustavo made a trip to Austin, Texas where his creativity and talent were greatly appreciated by locals. Gustavo returned to San Antonio only to bid his thanks to a relative whom he was staying with and to grab his stuff. Austin Bound! Residing in Austin only brought coal to the fire. Almost immediately, Gustavo started performing at local open mikes. He eventually formed a band called "Los Locos." Los Locos continued playing for about 10 years to then fizzle out due to trademark on the band name, band members getting married, and moving out of town. After being on “pause†for about a year, Gustavo decided to continue his mission as a self-proclaimed troubadour promoting history, social justice, human rights and love for humanity. It was on February 2001 that the Gustavo Rodriguez Band was created. A new epoch musical evolution. During his 13 years in Austin TX, Gustavo has performed at many local venues and restaurants such as The White Rabbit, Fat Tuesday’s, Calle 8, the Vibe, the Mercury, the Ritz, Nuno's Bar and Grill (all on 6th street), El Mercado Mexican Restaurant, Casa Loma Wimbereley, Nuevo leon, Antonio’s Tex-Mex, La Palapa and Baby Acapulco's Mexican Restaurants. Festivals include: The Bob Marley Festival (as Los Locos for 7 years and self titled for 2 years), Spade and Nuder Festival in 2002, Eyors Birthday in 2002, Human Rights/Social Justice protest/functions, City of Austin, Latin Festival 2007, and Guadalupe Jamaica's of Our Lady of Guadalupe Austin TX.
Nick Litterski: Keyboard/Accordian is a six-year Austin resident, living previously in El Paso, Chicago, and Madison. A piano player from a young age, Litterski is a nationally touring keyboardist, playing hundreds of shows in 26 states since 2000 with the all-original funk quintet Collect All Five. Litterski graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illiniois with a BA in music. His unique style on piano combines the poly-rhythmic heritage of Africa with the sophistication of jazz. His influences include Bob Marley, Jackie Mitoo, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith, Eddie Palmieri, Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, and many others Joe Sokolick: Bass Guitar Born in New York City, Joe Sokolik was destined to become a musician - his mother traveled across the northeast playing bells with a professional church orchestra. He first picked up the bass guitar at age 13 and has been ripping it up for massive crowds ever since. After relocating to Austin in 1999 he took an interest in upright bass, and has played in more musical projects than you can count on four hands. Versatile in every musical style including Latin, jazz, funk and punk, he made appearances at the Austin Reggae Festival each of the last three years and has shared the stage with some of Texas’ most renowned musicians.
