They cheated, he didn’t make any accusations, he went to jail… The ordeal of the boy in Mi burrito sabanero: “I was traumatized”

Ricardo Cuenci He’s been sneaking into our homes for 46 years. He does it every Christmas. Almost unconsciously. It’s always there. He is accompanying us. His name is not well known in Spain… but his music is very popular. he sang savannah brioche which you’ve certainly heard more than once this month already. However, despite the hypothetical success that can be attributed to him, his life has been far from any wealth: they abused him, they didn’t pay him anything, they promised him a tour, was in jail…

“I didn’t get a single bolivar split in half. Even though I have a hard time, I try to overcome obstacles with humor. Otherwise, it would be very painful. I felt cheated, scammed and cheated,” he admits to EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA. It was not easy to communicate with him: he does not have a cell phone and is wandering around Venezuela after looting his house. First, on Tiger. And today in Caracas. His sister lives there, who went looking for him to make the connection possible. The video call is of poor quality, but the enthusiasm it conveys can overcome anything.

“It’s hard not to remember. Tears fill my eyes every time the song plays. It brings me memories and joy. Not because of what I never gained, but because of the happiness it produced. I am a humble and honest person,” he says. That’s why he suffered so much from the ups and downs that fate has prepared for him. Music gave him everything, but the industry took everything from him. Although it was always clear that he wanted to devote himself to her, he never thought that his greatest passion could end him with one stroke of the pen. Pizpireta and full of life from the first second, he knew how to conquer people with his throat. “Because he has a strong voice, My father enrolled me in the Children’s Choir conducted by Raúl Cabrera.. He wanted to be the best. I loved perfection,” she recalls.

Months later, composer Hugo Blanco went to the institution to re-record the piece he had written for singer-songwriter Simón Díaz in 1972. was about savannah briochean included bonus Simon’s bagpipe and that it passed without pain or victory. So she thought of reviving him with a few members of this choir to give him a second chance.

In November 1975, Raúl and Hugo began rehearsals. Their expectations were high, so they didn’t want to settle for anyone. They hesitated until the crush happened. It was quite comfortable. “I was in the hallway, humming. He sang the lyrics from time to time. And suddenly they both came out of the studio. My voice suited them so well. they wanted me to be a soloist”, says Ricardo, who is over 56 today.

I was eight at the time. And the prospect of being famous excited him as well as everyone else. This way he could give his parents some comfort: “He couldn’t speak perfectly and was confused. Yeah with joyful. I mean if you pay attention Tabanero burrito. But that didn’t matter to them, they wanted someone who would get into the rhythm and be smart.” With this record La Rondallita was bornA group of children selected from the Children’s Choir. His first project was a single containing only two songs: peasant print Y Bethlehem Donkey (as the song was known back then).

After it was edited, it began to be distributed, sold and popularized in jukeboxes. Within a few days, it started playing on country radios. And soon he came abroad. Puerto Rico was one of the first places to bless the group. It got such a bad reputation there that businessman Carlos Feliciano called Hubo and Raúl so they could release a full album and embark on a tour. They only had six compositions at the time, so the only option was to include them along with their instrumental versions. So they would be 12.

it still worked Ricardo was the main victim: He didn’t attend concerts, they dubbed his voice to imitate him. “My father didn’t want me to go because he had different fights with Raúl, who was acting as our representative. They promised to pay us in dollars, but they never did,” explains Ricardo. But within weeks, everything changed: Feliciano went to his home to persuade the family and resume the original band. They accepted. Y numbers multiplied.

$430 per shipment

Trips, photos, hotels and fans came. Tickets were selling in the thousands. They appeared in magazines. “Girls were throwing rings and bills at me. I felt like a king. It was beautiful,” the artist assures. a chronic universal He confirmed it at the time: “He’s the most popular in his school and gets autographs wherever he performs. He laughs a lot at the situation and does not understand why people kiss him, surround him until he loses sight and cheer him up. My view is not clear. He’s having fun and nothing more.”

Now, neither Ricardo nor his colleagues received anything. “They never gave us a contract. According to me we were charging $430 per presentation. We didn’t get anything. There were times when I had weak vocal cords from the chicha they took from me“, Add. That wasn’t the only setback she suffered: Edgardo Díaz, the show’s producer, offered her to be part of the Menudo group that Ricky Martin was involved with in the ’80s, but his father again refused. “I don’t know what his reasons are. He told me that this felt right to him, but that he didn’t want to leave me because he was a minor.

It’s all over there. While it is true that he devoted himself to learning music theory and playing in an orchestra, he never set foot on the big stage again. And he didn’t get the recognition he expected, either. “After so much struggle, I was traumatized”, he continues. So he devoted himself to his work. Despite having to face an unexpected blow: it turns out Bogota WeatherOne day before turning 18, caught stealing from a store and jailed. He spent three months in prison before a friend paid bail.

From there he decided to slow down: “My life is so complicated. I had complex problems. We are very humble. What we earn is food.” He currently works as a carpenter, carpenter, laminator… And he supports a family of dozens. “I have to produce. I wish someone could help me get back to a platform. I’m still singing. This pastry He’s not dead, he was partying. I just want support,” he claims.

Related news

Likewise, he is fighting to reclaim copyrights that have been denied in the past: “I see what possibilities exist. I don’t have the money to hire a lawyer, but there might be a hand that wants to do justice.” For now, journalist César Muñoz has launched a campaign. crowdfunding “In addition to making financial compensation for the happiness he has given us over 40 years with his legendary interpretation, he also aims to give him the opportunity to rebuild his life.” As of press time, campaign exceeds $4,500.

With them he could start the foundation he missed so much: “I want to help rural children through music. And I need money for that.” When she arrives, she’ll continue to warm up every Christmas with this song: Juanes Y Adrianne Houghton They also made a version. It has such a relaxing effect that the magazine Billboard He included it among the 100 best Christmas songs in history: “People’s savannah brioche and share the moments. Still, I know I can give more. I have faith in what I do. Despite the circumstances, I like to dream. And rose. It’s always”.