If I ask you about “Holguin Sings to Turquino” or “Fiesta en el Campo” (Countryside Celebration). You probably won’t know which program I’m talking about; but if I say “Valero’s Cart.” I’m sure many will know I’m referring to the rural program on CMKO Radio Angulo. The longest-running show on our programming schedule.
“Valero’s Cart” is already a legend in the collective memory of Holguin residents. It’s the program that, for many years, was hosted by the excellent announcer and entertainer Sergio Antonio González Valero. Who invited everyone to hop aboard his cart, overflowing with joy, every Monday through Friday.
Who among us who has ever listened to the program doesn’t recall the lines “I want to ride in Valero’s cart”? That name stuck, generation after generation. So much so that our beloved Valero, National Radio Award winner (2015), passed away in 2021. And to this day “Countryside Celebration” continues to be known as “Valero’s Cart.” It’s a way of keeping alive the memory of someone so beloved not only by radio broadcasters but also by the people.
But how did it all begin? It was on January 10th, 1959, that this rural program first aired—yes, 67 years ago. At that time, it had two hosts, Mario Hernández and Miguel Naranjo. While the group consisted of Guillermo Sánchez, director and guitarist. Ángel González, singer and tres player; Eugenio Escobar played the lute and was also an improvised poet. Felo García was also an improvised poet. Adolfina Sánchez was a singer and played the claves; and two other improvised poets joined the group. Rafael Félix Obregón and José Naranjo Castellanos, “Naranjito,” from Villa Clara.
At that time, the program was divided as follows: from 11:00 a.m. to 11:28 a.m. with the Conjunto Campesino (Peasant Ensemble). And the second half, until noon, featured the La Ciudad de París Organ, owned by the Toranzos Brothers.
When did Valero join the program? It was in 1965, to replace one of the hosts, Miguel Naranjo, who had passed away.
Over time, many producers have joined the program’s team, including Jorge Ramiro Velázquez, its current director. Also who began his career at the station in 1975 as a sound engineer and joined the team in 1980. A time when the program was recorded daily.
The sound team included Raimundo Peña, Hernán Zaldívar, and currently Amalio Carralero. Flor Vega served as an advisor; and the program’s hosts included Osvaldo Pérez, Néstor Salazar, Yinet Cruz, and currently Julio César Pupo.
In its 67 years of history and traditions, many musicians have been part of Conjunto Cacoyugüín. Which is as old as the program “Countryside Celebration.” It’s impossible not to mention Reynaldo Pavón, and the collaborations with Lucrecia Marín, Oscar Fuentes, and Oneida Parra.
Currently, the group consists of Aníbal Pino, Bárbaro Maceo, Norge Berbén, Carlos Pérez, Daniel Arseri. Alina Fernández, Isidro Roche, Jorge Luis Boza, Orestes Durán (with over 30 years in the group). Radomir Ferrero, Rigoberto Nogueira, Yanelis González, and Pedro Bermúdez (general director).
Today, more than six decades after that January 10th, 1959, the program continues to be a stage for our traditions. And although times change, some things remain certain. It’s a cherished symbol for the people and a source of pride for CMKO.
From Monday to Friday at 5:00 a.m. and rebroadcast at 12:30 p.m., the entire team invites you to hop aboard the cart that’s always brimming with joy. And I’m not the only one saying this; Julio César, Radomir, and the whole team agree, on the occasion of their most recent anniversary.
By: Yailyn Ojeda Grass
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