The Avelinos

Book excerpt: The Avelinos is a true story about a "Small Town High Time " Musician. Avelino Avalos played the guitar and sang in different bands in Safford, Arizona for over four decades. He raised his eleven children in South Eastern Arizona. Daughters memories about her dad included him gathering his instruments together getting them ready for playing, by tuning his smoke green Anniversary Gretchen Electric Guitar. Avelino played a variety of music, Flamenco, Country, Corridos, Rancheras and Rock. His bands included "The Lucky Four" Charlie Hemphill (Bass Guitar), his brother Bill on (Lead Guitar), Brooks Nutell on (Drums). "The Lucky Four had no problems getting gigs, putting a variety of music together as an excellent form of entertainment" as told by Hemphill. "The Mixers", another band included Doughnut Delgado Jr.,Frank Shelton,Charlie Hemphill,George Reyes,and Tom Guerena. "The Mixers" traveled to Buffalo, New York to audition on "The Johnny Carson Show" in the early 1960s, reaching for a spotlight on National TV. However, that dream was short lived when one of the band members got cold feet and thus the band opted not to play for the audition. Avelino had been practicing for a funeral he was to attend,on that very night May 20, 1985 he passed away at 59. His music was silenced for the first time in our entire life. Jimmy Delgado Sr. and Bobby Merino Sr. dads best friends were in shock when their music companion suddenly died. Music was Avelino he left a legacy behind and his daughter Frances Diane has given others the opportunity to learn about the extraordinary man who never left his love of music behind. "For every photo there is a story", as told by Frances Frances Avalos. "Music was everything for dad its how he lived we could not separate that from him if mother would have tried it never would have happened it would have been unsuccessful for her, he lived with music he died that way. In behalf of our Avalos family we wish to dedicated my book "The Avelinos to him. May his love of music and his memories continue to be told. We wish to thank Dennis Landberg KJZZ Radio Station for the opportunity to air our story, and special thanks to Paul Atkinson (Producer/Reporter).