For Antonio Yesayahu Gámez-Cuéllar, 18, 15-year-old brother, Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar; and their 12-year-old brother, Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar; music is everything. More specifically, mariachi. Now their hobby and passion has led to new professional opportunities, such as opening for country music star Kacey Musgraves.
Caleb started playing mariachi at 9-years-old. Starting with the Mexican guitarrón. A very large, deep-bodied Mexican six-string acoustic bass guitar played traditionally in Mariachi groups. Later moving on to the Mexican vihuela. A small, five-string rhythm guitar with a rounded, convex back. Caleb then switched to the guitar and currently plays the harp.
Caleb explained that playing instruments and being into music came naturally. Because it is what he and his brothers were born into. A multigenerational family of musicians. His grandparents, his uncles, his father- they all have been musicians. Mariachi musicians, “More than anything, the tradition,” he said in Spanish about continuing the heritage.
Caleb and his family are originally from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. But he and his family arrived at their new home, McAllen, about three years ago. Caleb said he remembers entering Travis Middle School. Then going to McAllen High School. Caleb said there was Mariachi at Travis, but he spoke to the Mariachi director at McHi and auditioned.
He began playing with his brother Antonio in the school mariachi band, but he said his younger brother Joshua is getting into the genre as well. “We’re sharing more stages with him,” he said.
Antonio plays the trumpet; he said his favorite part about playing music with his brothers is the feeling of being united. “Sharing the same love for something in common. It’s something that makes me feel complete. Continuing this tradition that we’ve had for years, from my family. It makes me very happy to be able to be with them playing on the same stage. That’s what I love about music, it unites families and people,” he said in Spanish.
Caleb agreed. But he added that when they are on stage and everyone applauds, he feels the love from the audience. “You know your siblings are feeling it too. It fills your heart to know you’re enjoying this time with your family. That’s what I love most about playing with them,” he said.
The now-called “Mariachi Brothers,” who said their nickname was Musgraves’ idea, were detained by ICE back in February and released in March alongside their parents after public outrage and bipartisan support. They all said they felt welcomed and loved by the Rio Grande Valley community, who welcomed them back. Mariachi Oro, their school mariachi band, was there to welcome the entire family back as they returned to McAllen. The brothers praise their director, Alex Treviño, for showing them what it is like to compete and to continue their craft professionally.
“More than anything, when all the love for mariachi began, when we arrived here and met Mr. Treviño, we already had a love for mariachi music, but he taught us the passion, the discipline, and everything that comes with wearing the charro suit on stage. He taught us all that, and I think he was one of the key people for us right now because, honestly, he was one of the people who led us to everything we are going through to this day,” Caleb said.
The brothers also play with their father, Luis Antonio Gámez. In May, the four opened at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels for a three-night residency opening for Musgraves.
They all said the main difference from playing with the school and their dad, is the songs repertoire they get to choose from.
“When we play with my dad, we play a lot more,” Caleb said.
He mentioned one of his favorite songs to play is “Botella Envenenada” by Mariachi Los Camperos.
Caleb said they all felt very grateful to have had an experience like opening for Musgraves after the difficult time they went through.
“Right now, what’s happening to us is something truly beautiful,” he said.
The brothers admitted they did not know who Musgraves was prior to her contacting their parents. They played “La Bamba,” “Cielito Lindo” and “A Mi Manera” as well as “La Negra.” They also sang “Tú, Sólo Tú” by Selena Quintanilla along Musgraves. There were about 800 people in attendance but the brothers said the biggest place they have ever played at is Carnegie Hall in New York.
“Kacey is an amazing person. We have no doubt about that. She’s down-to-earth. She’s not like many artists in the industry,” Caleb said about the country singer.
The brothers said she would invite them for cake every night after every event. She also wrote them a letter and received merchandise. They all said they learned to be humble as artists from this experience. They would like to collaborate with Mexican singer Humbe or Mariachi Vargas in the future.
Caleb said Musgraves and her team encouraged them to open their Instagram account.
“They were the ones telling me ‘You have to post every day to connect with people’. They helped me a lot with that account thing. But if they hadn’t told me, I never would have done it,” he said.
The brothers felt they added flavor to the performance by combining country with regional mariachi. In the words of Caleb, a piece to connect the two. The three brothers practice every day for about six hours.
Jennifer Serrano, from Brownsville and owner and founder of SHOPJZD attended one of the concert nights. Serrano said she got lucky to be able to purchase tickets.
“I was on the site about 30 minutes before they went on sale, but some friends were also in the queue and tickets sold out before they could get theirs,” she said.
“We were super excited to see both of them perform. The crowd was hyped from the moment they came on. There were so many “puro 956” chants, which was so heartwarming. But it wasn’t just people from the 956. People from everywhere were embracing them and loving every second of it. Gruene Hall is such an intimate venue, so the energy was just electric. Honestly, one of the best country concerts I’ve ever been to,” Serrano added.
Emma Guadalupe Cuéllar López, the mother of the Mariachi Brothers, said she never imagined her sons would be having this experience. Especially after the bitter moment they had lived through a few months earlier.
“After what just happened with the children, it’s truly an overwhelming emotion. It’s unbearable; it’s so overwhelming. And it’s true, it’s a really beautiful feeling. I think that the connection my children made here with the people here,I don’t think it would have been the same anywhere else.
People here love them a lot; they gave our whole family a big hug. It’s something, a really beautiful feeling. And what happened with Kacey is also something beautiful,” she said in Spanish.
“The truth is we weren’t familiar with the genre. And I didn’t start learning English either—when I heard those songs, I said, “I don’t know what they say, but they’re good,” Cuellar Lopez said about Musgraves’ music.
For Luis Antonio, he said playing with his children was beautiful. But he never expected someone who is not Mexican to take an interest in their craft.
“It really warms your heart, because you think, wow, what a lovely person she is. I don’t have words to describe her, but we know she’s very kind-hearted and very friendly,” he said in Spanish.
Luis Antonio taught his children how to play. “And then, for no reason at all, they turned out to be good musicians,” he said. The father of the Mariachi Brothers added his family started calling their Mariachi coach the boy’s grandfather. He recalled the boys will always leave mariachi practice laughing and happy.
“Because the man loves my children very much, and they love him too, but thanks to him, all the doors that we never thought would open were opened,” he said.
The Mariachi Brothers have experienced all kinds of emotions since 2026 began. But the turn of events has been for the better. The accomplished musicians said to welcome their blessings but have a feeling more will come. Sooner rather than later.
