Ricardo e Van Viola

Ricardo e Van Viola formed in the late 1970s, with Ricardo Luiz and Ivanildo da Silva coming from rural towns in Brazil. Their music draws from traditional sertanejo, often dealing with themes of love and rural life. They've maintained a straightforward approach to the genre, avoiding the more polished styles that became popular later.

Their song "O Tempo Fechou" represents their style well - simple arrangements with clear vocals and direct lyrics. In the late 1980s, Van Viola was involved in a serious car accident that interrupted their work for a time, but he eventually recovered and they resumed performing.

Some critics in their early years dismissed their music as unsophisticated, but they kept playing the traditional sertanejo they preferred. They've continued with this approach rather than adapting to changing trends in Brazilian country music.