Explore music by local artists
New Mexico has always been an inspiration and home for artists across all mediums - visual, literary and the performing arts. Musically we have a rich history that continues today with our innovative current scene. Our local musicians span an incredibly diverse range of genres, from indigenious music to cutting edge alternative sounds.
To explore the work of our talented New Mexican artists, just put in the terms “local music” or “local music collection” for a subject search in the ABC catalog.
Enjoy and support the sounds of New Mexico!
Local music available in ABC Libraries
Did you know?
Igor Stravinsky’s opera, The Rake’s Progress was performed during the Santa Fe Opera’s first season in 1957 and Mr. Stravinsky traveled to Santa Fe to oversee the production. He was so impressed by the company and the location that he spent the next six summers in Santa Fe and said that the years he spent there were among the happiest of his life. Stravinsky also debuted his work, Threni: id est Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae at the St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, NM on Jul 12, 1959.
Also at the Santa Fe Opera, The Tempest by Thomas Adès had its American premiere on July 29, 2006.
Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings and LeAnn Rimes all made recordings at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. Mr. Petty was a producer, a recording engineer and acted as Buddy Holly’s first manager. As a songwriter he was credited as a collaborator on the songs, “It’s So Easy”, “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue”.
Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, from Raton, New Mexico, also recorded their hit record, “Sugar Shack” at Norman Petty Studios. It went to #1 on the Billboard chart in 1963, eventually earning them a gold record.
Musicians with ties to Albuquerque-
Xzibit (Alvin Nathaniel Joiner IV)- Attended Cibola High School.
Jim Morrison- Attended Monroe and Wilson Middle Schools, 1955-1957.
Ingrid Chavez (poet, writer and Prince collaborator)- born in ABQ, 1965.
Michael Goodroe ( bassist, the Motels)- Attended St. Pius High School. Currently a Medical Technologist living in ABQ.
Randy Castillo (drummer for Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe)- born in ABQ, 1950. Attended West Mesa High School.
Bob Ostertag- composer, musician, multi-media artist, activist, and collaborator with the Kronos Quartet, John Zorn, etc. Born in ABQ, 1957.
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