Teixeirinha

Teixeirinha was born Lourival dos Santos in 1927 in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul. He started performing on local radio when he was sixteen, drawing from the folk traditions of southern Brazil's gaucho culture. His songs often told stories about rural life, with titles like 'A Fama do Boi Barroso' and 'O Pobre João' reflecting that world.

He recorded hundreds of albums over several decades. One of his best-known songs, 'Querência Amada' from 1956, became associated with resistance to land grabs in rural communities. Other tracks, such as 'Cobra Sucuri' and 'Amor de Mãe', also spoke plainly about the experiences of the countryside.

Teixeirinha worked with musicians like accordionist Darcy Fagundes and guitarist Nico Fagundes. His music remained popular at festivals and rodeos in southern Brazil, where songs like 'Parabéns Nesta Data Querida' and the simpler 'Parabéns' are still heard.