Los Sementales de Nevo Leon are a norteno band from Monterrey, formed by the twin brothers Juan Carlos and José Antonio González. Though the lineup has changed over the decades, the founding brothers remain the group's leaders. The Stallions play a very traditional meld of original songs and covers both modern and from antiquity; their corridos, romanticos, polkas, mariachis, and conjuntos have never gone out of style. They are a beloved live and recording act who have never had trouble getting radio airplay, selling records or finding fans to buy tickets. They have issued more than two dozen albums including the classics El Arbol de la Horca, and Me Bebi Tus Recuerdos to more recent hits such as El Sueno Americano and Leonardo Reyes, have been received with great enthusiam, guaranteeing the band continued success on the road; they enjoy an enormous following across their homeland and throughout the Southwestern United States. Their sound, consistently driven with accordion, drums, guitars, and vocals has been augmented with banda and mariachi instrumentation (brass and strings) on several recordings, but the group's approach remains the same. The group's current lineup includes José Félix Alonso (drums), Israel Alanís (electric bass and vocals), José Antonio González (bajo sexto and vocals) and Juan Carlos González (accordion and vocals). All three singers alternate on lead and harmony. In 1993, brothers Juan Carlos and José Antonio González decided to start a music career performing traditional Mexican songs after their heroes Los Tigres del Norte and Los Invasores de Nuevo León. To that end they recruited singer Efraín Rubio and bass player Erasmo González. Choosing the name Los Sementales de Nuevo León the officially formed grupo began playing at street parties, at malls, and festivals. They came to the attention of Ramex label owner Don Emilio Garza who signed them and gave them the budget to record their debut, Pobreza Mexicana, which was released in 1995. They toured incessantly and did radio. They movede to Luna for 1998's El Arbol de la Horca that featured their first and second hits, in "Renunciación" and the title track. The foursome recorded 1999's Me Bebí Tu Recuerdo, followed by 2000's Maldito Dinero; both charted at Mexican radio. Los Sementales de Nuevo León achieved a nomination at the Lo Nuestro awards for Revelation of the Year in the regional/Mexican category. It was their first nomination but hardly their last. Given the success of their recordings such as 2002's Y Si Se Enoja Tu Papa, 2007's Te Contaron Mal, and 2015's La Muerta and Madrazos Puros Con Tuba Y Acordeon, they have consistently placed on both the nomination and winner's lists in the Premio Lo Nuestro 2018's Leonardo Reyes--scored on digital charts across South and Central America as well as in the U.S. and Southern Europe. ~ Drago Bonacich