Bobby Lopez became a student of mariachi music at the age of 12. With a few years of guitar playing under his belt, his father, Robert Sr., invited him to learn the beautiful music of his culture. Robert Lopez (Sr.) was a long-time mariachi musician in the South Texas area finally assembling his very own group, Mariachi Classico, in the late 1980's. Going through several transformations Bobby joined the group in 1992 (then Mariachi Super Klasico) learning from the various musicians in the group. 

After a couple of years of learning and playing guitar and vihuela in the mariachi, Bobby learned to play the guitarron from local musician Abdón Salas. That has since become his instrument of choice! He has played in several mariachi groups in the South and Central Texas area. 

During his years as a graduate student, Bobby formed his own group Mariachi Tamazula in the Austin area. During the eight years of its existence, Mariachi Tamazula performed with acclaimed Mexican vocalist Beatriz Adriana, Manuel Vargas and starred in a documentary for composer Stephin Merritt. Mariachi Tamazula recorded a debut album "Con Orgullo Mexicano" and was working on a second album before the group decided to end.

Mr. Lopez is also an active educator, performer and adjudicator. He co-taught the mariachi at Texas State University (Mariachi Nueva Generación) for five years winning several first-place awards at the renown Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. He has performed across the United States and Mexico as a Mariachi musician having more than 30 years of performance experience. He has shared the stage with musicians of pioneering ensembles such as Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán. He can be heard on various Mariachi recordings such as Manuel Vargas’ (of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán) A Rienda Suelta and Mariachi Tamazula's Con Orgullo Mexicano.

Check out my books WRIST CONTROL for Vihulea (and guitar)! Control para La Muñeca para Vihuela (y guitarra) and Exercises for the Guitarrón.