Ten years ago, Andrés Salguero of 123 Andrés was a recent immigrant to the United States, trying to process experiences that he encountered in daily life.
“One day I went to use an ATM and someone had scratched off the Spanish instructions on it. It was such a small act, but so meaningful, and it made me reflect on other experiences I had had, positive and challenging. I processed those feelings by writing a song, and a few hours later I had Hola, Amigo.”
That song became the first track on 123 Andrés’ Latin Grammy-winning debut album, ¡Uno, dos, tres con Andrés!, as well as a fan favorite at 123 Andrés live concerts. Now, partnering with Scholastic, it’s becoming a bilingual board book for families, with text in both Spanish and English – the first book from 123 Andrés.
“'Hola, Amigo' was the first song I wrote for 123 Andrés," explains Salguero. "Back then, I never imagined it would be published as a book,” said Salguero. “Now, ten years later, the message is just as important and current as it was then.”
To celebrate "Hola, Amigo"’s 10th anniversary, and its launch as a book, 123 Andrés will also release a surprise digital album – Hola, Amigo: Songs of Friendship – in August. The album presents remastered versions of "Hola, Amigo" in Spanish and English, and eight more bilingual songs that explore the theme of friendship.
The collection of original songs is at times rousing, at times wistful, but ultimately warm and hopeful – a reflection of the times we are living in, where socially distant friendships carry us through, solidarity is crucial, and our collective understanding of anti-racism deepens. In the midst of our world’s challenges, 123 Andrés invites us to look up at the sky to catch a glimpse of that rainbow, and to come together to drive for change.
The album features a diverse chorus of guest voices, including Cathy and Marcy, Rissi Palmer, Uncle Devin, Little Miss Ann, Konshens the MC, Suzi Shelton, Verny Varela, the Sugar Free Allstars, Rita Rosa Ruesga, Lea Morris, and Steve Denyes of Hullabaloo Band – many voices and many stories coming together to celebrate friendship.
123 Andrés are the Latin Grammy-winning duo composed of Christina and Andrés, a kids’ music power couple that, pre-COVID, traveled non-stop bringing their message to audiences across the US and Latin America. Now, they continue reaching thousands of families each month through their interactive online shows. To learn more, visit www.123andres.com.
The collection of original songs is at times rousing, at times wistful, but ultimately warm and hopeful – a reflection of the times we are living in, where socially distant friendships carry us through, solidarity is crucial, and our collective understanding of anti-racism deepens. In the midst of our world’s challenges, 123 Andrés invites us to look up at the sky to catch a glimpse of that rainbow, and to come together to drive for change.
The album features a diverse chorus of guest voices, including Cathy and Marcy, Rissi Palmer, Uncle Devin, Little Miss Ann, Konshens the MC, Suzi Shelton, Verny Varela, the Sugar Free Allstars, Rita Rosa Ruesga, Lea Morris, and Steve Denyes of Hullabaloo Band – many voices and many stories coming together to celebrate friendship.
123 Andrés are the Latin Grammy-winning duo composed of Christina and Andrés, a kids’ music power couple that, pre-COVID, traveled non-stop bringing their message to audiences across the US and Latin America. Now, they continue reaching thousands of families each month through their interactive online shows. To learn more, visit www.123andres.com.
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