SAN ANTONIO — Max Baca is strumming his way into the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Baca, who created Los Texmaniacs, will be the youngest artist ever to be inducted when the ceremony arrives this weekend.
Baca practically grew up on stage, having played professionally since he was just 7 years old.
"It just comes from within," he said. "God-gifted talent. I am very blessed and fortunate to have music in me."
Baca praised his father and grandfather for teaching him the love of music. He also credits legendary accordionist Flaco Jiménez, who gave him advice.
"He goes, 'Mijo, you don't have to play a thousand licks and a thousand notes. Just play that one note, but feel that one note.'"
Baca has felt the notes for 50 years, creating quite the career while touring with the Texas Tornados, recording with the Rolling Stones and even earning a Grammy with his current group, Los Texmaniacs.
"It is Texmaniacs music," he said. "It is based on the core of Conjunto, of course; that's our root. We do branch (out with) a little bit of blues and rock-and-roll."
The bajo sexto player loves all music. But conjunto strums the loudest notes in his artistic soul.
"It is a very special music," he said. "It is the people's music. It comes from the people, it is our culture."
His love for the music will pay off when he's inducted into the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame in San Benito, Texas, on Saturday.
"I was blown away," he said of hearing the news. "I was like, 'Wow.' I said, 'I humbly accept, of course.'
"It is special. It is an honor. Actually, they say I am the youngest to ever being inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame."
This recognition is a high note for Baca's career. As for his legacy, it will live on through the music.
"Believe in what you do, from your heart," he said. "And be proud of you are and your culture."
Meanwhile, celebration will soon turn into more preparation: Baca said Los Texmaniacs is set to perform at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.