Native American music Native American music has wide representation in New Mexico, as the state is home to the second largest Native American population percentage in the US. One such example is
Taos Pueblo's
Robert Mirabal who received two
Grammy Awards. An entirely unique genre of Latin music, directly related to the Pueblo, mestizo Hispano, and other Native affiliated groups, called
New Mexico music has a sizable audience in the state.
New Mexico music Pioneered by the ancient
Pueblo people, and by the folk music of
Hispanos of New Mexico. Artists such as
Antonia Apodaca and
Al Hurricane popularized the genre, with Al Hurricane blending Country, Western, Rock, and Jazz into the sound. Modern Latin Pop musicians
Lorenzo Antonio and
Sparx have continued to crossover New Mexico with other popular music styles. The largest radio market in the state, Albuquerque, has two major FM stations primarily broadcasting the genre, those being
KANW and
KNMM. There are several annual series' of albums, including; KANW's
New Mexico Music series,
New Mexico Spanish Super Stars, and
Los 15 Grandes de Nuevo México.
Orchestral and classical music The New Mexico Philharmonic continues the long tradition of the now defunct
New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, who had been performing since 1932. Other Classical music institutions in the state include the Taos School of Music, the
Santa Fe Community Orchestra and the
Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Country music In the formative era of modern country music, many notable figures passed through New Mexico. Around 1927,
Bob Wills lived in
Roy, New Mexico where he was influenced by contemporary Hispanic dancehall styles. Between 1954 and 1960, a young
Glen Campbell was living in Albuquerque and performing for live audiences and his uncle, Dick Bills', radio program. Contemporary performers of County and Western music residing in New Mexico include
Michael Martin Murphey of
Red River and
Handsome Family of Albuquerque, who relocated from
Chicago in 2001.The town of
Ruidoso is home to the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium - now known as CowboyFest - which features music.
Rock music From 1954 through the -60s, a recording studio operated by Norman Petty in
Clovis was responsible for several notable
Buddy Holly tracks. In 2002, a song called "
New Slang" was heard on TV commercials across the country. The group was
The Shins, which became a perennial favorite among indie folk/pop/rock fans worldwide. The next international success came when a young Santa Fe and Albuquerque resident
Zach Condon formed an ethno/world influenced band called
Beirut. == Music festivals ==