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Biography of a Legend

By Aurora Contreras Granddaughter

Juan C. Lopez otherwise known as "El Rey de la Redova" was born to Alberto & Alberta Lopez on March 8, 1922 in Jackson County, Texas. It was at the young age of 12 that he started playing the accordion. By the time he was 18, Juan was playing professionally at house parties and other functions in the area. In fact, it was at a house party that Juan met Josefina, the woman he fell in love with and married. They have now been married for over 55 years. Together they are the proud parents 16 children; 10 sons, four of which are also musicians and play the accordion, and 6 daughters. They also have 49 grandchildren, one of which is a musician and plays the accordion and another who is currently pursuing the accordion.

With well over a century of playing, Juan has written over 100 songs, and has recorded 74 of his original compositions, which include Redovas, Chotis, Polkas and Guapangos. He has recorded on several famous record labels including Disco del Valle, IDEAL Records, Disco Oro, R&N Recording and has also preformed with many famous acts such as Flaco Jimenez and David Lee Garza y Los Musicales at the Tejano Music Awards. Juan has also been invited to perform at the annual Conjunto Festival in San Antonio. In 1989 he was inducted into the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame in San Antonio. One of Juan's biggest honors came in the form of a State of Texas House of Representatives resolution, H.R. No. 299 that was adopted by the House of Representatives on March 6, 1997. The resolution read in part, "Resolved, that the senate of the state of Texas, 75th legislature, hereby recognize the contributions of the music of Mr. Juan Lopez in creating a better Texas for all Tejanos".

His most recent honor was his induction into the South Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame on May 27, 2001. After living in Premont, TX for many years he now resides in Modesto, CA. During a recent visit to Texas Juan suffered a mild stroke and is now recuperating at his home in California. My grandfather has entertained, enchanted and uplifted the spirits of many people by weaving his magic on his accordion. And after all these years, nothing makes him happier than to know that people appreciate and continue to enjoy the music that he has made throughout the years.