Pancho Barraza on new career stage with Fonovisa Records: “It will allow us to go further”

Mexican singer Pancho Barraza begins a new stage in his career with Fonovisa Records, the label he signed with earlier this month. The story of the banda sinaloense singer was a curious one: After spending time as the singer of Banda Los Recoditos in the early 90s, he embarked on a solo career gaining fame and glory. However, substance abuse issues kept him away from music for a decade and he hit rock bottom.

It wasn't until an invitation from Julión Álvarez to his Mis Ídolos Hoy Mis Amigos tour in 2016 that he was motivated to return to what he was once passionate about and with the help of RB Music, an independent management and booking company, he started playing again live shows and released new music. Barraza even returned to Bulletin board charts, most recently with “Me Voy a Alejar,” which entered Regional Mexican Airplay this year.

“I have always been a fan of Mr. Pancho Barraza, so in 2015, I invited him to receive an award at the Premios de la Calle,” he says. Ricardo BobadillaCEO of RB Music. “There, he told me he didn't have a label or a team, so I put myself at his service and, almost ten years later, we're still working with great enthusiasm.”

The revival of Barraza, whose hits include “Mi Enemigo el Amor,” “Música Romántica,” “Yo Estaba Solo” and “Nunca Cambies,” made Fonovisa pay attention.

“Pancho Barraza is without a doubt an artist who leaves a very important legacy in Mexican music,” he says. Antonio Silvamanaging director of Fonovisa Disa USA/Mexico. Adding Barraza to the roster, he adds, made sense. “Fonovisa Records has artists with great careers and who have made their mark, such as Los Tigres del Norte, Banda El Recodo and many others. That's how important we think he is.”

On November 21, he will release “Mi Otro Yo,” a collaboration with Colombian artist Charlie Zaa in a band version that will show another side of Zaa. Speaking exclusively to Billboard EspañolBarraza, 63, talks about this new chapter in his career.

You are a clear example that age doesn't matter when you want to move forward.

As long as you have a singing voice and something to offer the audience, you are in the competition. It has a lot to do with what you put in your head, what you believe about yourself, what you want for yourself. Certainly attitude is a key part.

How did the alliance with Fonovisa come about?

There came a time when I felt that – RB Music and my record label Pachy Music – we had reached a limit. Ricardo [Bobadilla] he told me that he had very good results with Universal Music as a publisher and I liked the idea of ​​including my compositions as well as my music. I called Antonio [Silva]who I haven't been in touch with for a long time and he answered me almost immediately. This was a sign, so the discussions began.

What does this new chapter in your career consist of?

Fonovisa will take over the entire distribution of Pancho Barraza. The mechanism that a company like this has will allow us to go even further, such as being present at award ceremonies. If I want to be like the great artists who remain for posterity, I have to go to another level.

The catalog you've recorded with Balboa Records and Musart is from Universal, so this is like a continuation.

That's right, that's already there and it will move, but now we're going to focus on the new, Pancho Barraza's music reaching many more places.

Your first release with Fonovisa is “Mi Otro Yo”. How was it in the banda with Charlie Zaa?

It was first recorded in his style, in response to his invitation, and it was a pleasant experience. The video is a reflection of how well we got along and enjoyed it. I'm sure you'll like the band version too and enjoy hearing Charlie in a very different light. When I sent it to him, he liked it and went to Guadalajara to record the video. Everything happened very quickly.

Musically, what can we expect from Pancho Barraza in 2025 in this new scene?

Lots of things coming: the album Barraza Dynastywith unreleased songs; another record with impressive collaborations. I can't reveal the names at this point, but I went all the way. As for the tours, we are going to conquer other markets, such as Central America and Colombia.

You have made a difference with your musical style. Do you know it?

I swear it was out of ignorance. I started recording romantic songs in different keys, in different harmonies, the musicians in the band told me I was crazy. They got upset and I was upset with them, but in the end they agreed to do it and it sounded completely different from what banda sinaloense was.

With more than 30 years of your career, what can you say about local Mexican music today?

That there is no difference between the music that [new] guys make ours too — it's just the language. Because, at the end of the day, as long as they're using a strumpet, a tuba, and a trombone, it still sounds like a band.