Machado e Marcelo do Tchê came out of Rio Grande do Sul in the late 1970s. The duo was accordionist Machado (João Carlos Machado Fagundes) and vocalist Marcelo (Marcelo dos Santos). They worked with a sound that mixed traditional gaucho music with more contemporary rhythms.
Their song 'A Gaita do Belizário' became something of an anthem. It celebrated rural life in southern Brazil and helped bring gaucho music to listeners outside the region. They also recorded tracks like 'Quando Aponte o Chapelão!' and 'O Bagual Te Ama'.
Some purists in the gaucho community criticized them for adding modern elements to the genre. Others called them 'showbiz cowboys' for their stage presence and lyrics. They released albums including A Gaita do Belizário in 1980 and Terra de Meu Céu in 1981.
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