About ElMariachi.com

Raised in McAllen, TX, I headed out west to go to school in California after graduating from McAllen High School in 1992. I graduated from Stanford University in 1996 with a BS in Computer Science. I have worked in the Internet industry since before I graduated. In 1999, I founded an Internet consulting company called MentalShock with two other partners that had 20 employees at its peak. Like so many other technology companies during that time, it succumbed to the dot-com bust in late 2001.

Back in 1994 while at Stanford, a group of students, including me, started Stanford's first Mariachi group, Mariachi Cardenal De Stanford. Our web site was among the first Mariachi-related web sites on the Internet back in the late summer of 1995!

Plans for this web site began in the spring of 1998. My main goal was to expand the focus of the Mariachi Cardenal web site further. I was finally able to launch this web site in July of 1998.

This site is not affiliated with any group or artist. I work on this site as a "labor of love", my main purpose being to provide a forum for promoting and expanding Mariachi music and culture. So even though I have played in a Mariachi group, I consider myself more of a fan than a musician. I do not have any special contacts with any of the artists, unfortunately, so don't bother writing to me asking for their personal information.

As always I appreciate all feedback and look forward to expanding this site even further with your help and support!

¡Que Viva El Mariachi!

George Lopez