“Flaco Jiménez was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music—exemplifying not only its sound, but its culture-blending spirit with his richly melodic accordion playing. Whether he was recording with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, or the Rolling Stones, or working with his own supergroup, the Texas Tornados, Flaco drew millions of listeners into a rich musical world they might not have discovered on their own. ‘Streets of Bakersfield’ by Dwight and Buck wouldn’t have been the same without his sparkling touches. Neither will a music community that cherished his towering talent and open heart.”

—Kyle Young, CEO
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

About Flaco Jiménez

Flaco Jiménez, who died July 31 at age eighty-six, was an emblem of country music’s broad, vibrant, and ever-evolving horizon—a master accordionist whose cross-cultural collaborations spoke to the adventurous and inclusive spirit of American roots music at large.

A San Antonio native, he instilled the 1988 recording of “Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens with lively border filigree. He also brought Tex-Mex fusion to the masses as a member of the Texas Tornados. In that impressive group, his Tejano conjunto music pulsed gracefully alongside the sounds of fellow Texas music icons Doug Sahm, Augie Myers, and Freddy Fender. Jiménez’s curious nature and ability to mine a range of American musical traditions also led to acclaimed performances with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, and a supergroup, Los Super Seven, with Joe Ely, members of Los Lobos, and others.

His celebrated 1992 album Partners,” a collection of country, norteño, and other songs with artists including Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Dwight Yoakam, was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2021 for its “cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” For his ability to “sing the soul of America’s Southwest,” Jiménez was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2022. He also was the recipient of five Grammys and the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award, for his solo albums and collaborations.

The Museum is honored to display Jiménez’s Hohner Corona II accordion and stage wear in its “Sing Me Back Home: Folks Roots to the Present” core exhibition, which explores the evolution of country music. Today, we remember his singular talent and commitment to expanding the artistic scope and excellence of country and roots music. His rich body of work endures as a crucial thread in the fabric of American culture.