Laredo, Texas

Everything Laredo is known for

65 songs mention this city 25 artists from here

Laredo, Texas, a vibrant border city on the Rio Grande, boasts a rich cultural heritage with a dynamic music scene. The city has been home to 25 artists and is mentioned in 39 songs, reflecting its enduring presence in music. Artists such as Adrian Quesada and Poncho Sanchez, known for their Latin music, hail from Laredo. The city's name also appears in well-known songs like "Streets of Laredo" by Marty Robbins and "Laredo" by Leon Bridges.

Music in Laredo

Songs About Laredo

New Year’s Day
Charlie Robison
98%
"Went down Camino Espinoza, gonna get me a divorce"
Bend but Don’t Break
No Justice
90%
"Heading for Loredo that's the way wind blew"
Nuevo Laredo
sir douglas quintet
90%
Streets of Laredo (Arr. by Logan Austin)
Logan Austin
81%
"Streets of Laredo"
Somewhere Over Laredo
Lainey Wilson
80%
"Somewhere over Laredo"
Streets of Laredo
Marty Robbins
80%
"As I walked out in the streets of Laredo"
Laredo
Band of Horses
80%
"Song about Laredo"
Laredo
Leon Bridges
80%
"Song about Laredo"
Laredo
Angie K
80%
"Song about Laredo"
Laredo (Small Dark Something)
Jon Dee Graham
80%
"Well, I drove to Laredo"
Leaving Laredo (or the Night Gilberto Hit the Floor)
Lost Immigrants
80%
"Leaving Laredo"
Laredo
Chris Cagle
78%
"Oh, Laredo, don't let her go"
streets of laredo
mary kaye
78%
Christmas in Laredo
Bo DePeña
78%
"Christmas in Laredo"
Lady of Laredo
Paul Eason
77%
"Lady of Laredo"
Ay te dejo en San Antonio
Flaco Jiménez
55%
"Y en Laredo ya tenias otros dos"
Love from Lufkin
Rita Bliss
55%
"I'm sending you the moonlight from Laredo"
Letter to Laredo
Joe Ely
55%
Adiós Days
Pat Green
54%
"Used to have nights on the town of Laredo"
Big Gangsta
Kevin Gates
52%
"I shot to Laredo to do it big"

Showing top 20 of 65 songs

Artists From Laredo

A
Adrian Quesada
latin Pop: 45
P
Poncho Sanchez
latin Pop: 42
F
Full Contact
metal Pop: 33
P
Pete Astudillo
latin Pop: 28
A
Adversor
metal Pop: 26
T
The Maples
indie Pop: 25
R
René y René
latin Pop: 25
L
LOUIEJAYXX
hip-hop Pop: 24
T
Thisistoodifficult
indie Pop: 23
V
Venereal Baptism
metal Pop: 22
R
René Barbera
classical Pop: 15
B
Bo Depena
latin Pop: 14
B
Beto Martinez
latin Pop: 13
M
Miles Zuniga
rock Pop: 13
K
Kix Garcia
latin Pop: 12
E
Eduard Laurel
latin Pop: 11
S
Seven Perfect
indie Pop: 10
N
Necrovision
metal Pop: 9
S
Sonja de la Paz
latin Pop: 8
T
The Reen
indie Pop: 1

Showing top 20 of 25 artists

Rivers & Roads in Song near Laredo

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Laredo.

U.S. Route 59 7 songs Interstate 35 42 songs Rio Grande / Río Bravo 157 songs Rio Grande / Río Bravo 242 songs

Musical Heritage

Adrian Quesada RoadyGoat

You've heard him even if you don't know the name. Adrian Quesada grew up in Laredo — three and a half hours from Austin, a world unto itself — and picked up a guitar at thirteen, classical and flamenco before he ever plugged in. In 2000 two bands he was in merged into Grupo Fantasma, a Latin funk outfit that won a Grammy and now and then shared a stage with Prince. Since then he's had a hand in more than fifty recordings — Brownout, Money Chicha, two solo albums in a single year. But the one that broke wide is Black Pumas, his soul duo with singer Eric Burton. Their song "Colors," a Best New Artist nomination, a set for the presidential inauguration. Not a bad run for a kid from the border who just kept making records.

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History of Laredo

Laredo, TX RoadyGoat

Laredo, that sandy place nestled right on the Rio Grande, hums with the constant rhythm of international trade. It’s more than just trucks crossing bridges; it's a way of life, woven into the city's very fabric since its founding. Because of its unique location, Laredo is the largest inland port on the U.S.-Mexico border. It's a natural crossroads, where goods flow north and south, fueling economies on both sides. The relatively flat landscape makes it ideal for sprawling warehouses and efficient transportation networks. Generations of families have built their livelihoods on this trade, from customs brokers to truckers, warehouse workers to logistics experts. It’s a constant, bustling energy that defines Laredo, an industry that thrives not just because of geography, but because of the people who understand and facilitate this vital exchange. The city's identity is inextricably linked to this flow of commerce.

Laredo, TX RoadyGoat

Laredo’s story is etched into the very soil, a sandy place where the echoes of Spanish colonization still resonate. Founded in 1755 and named for its Spanish counterpart, it began as a northern outpost of New Spain, a far cry from the bustling international trade hub it is today. The language, of course, was Spanish, a dialect infused with the cadences of northern Mexico and the rhythms of the Rio Grande. While English has become increasingly prevalent, especially in commerce, the Spanish spoken here isn't just any Spanish; it's a border Spanish, a living testament to centuries of shared history and cultural exchange. The architecture tells its own tale. While modern buildings rise to meet the demands of global trade, you’ll still find adobe structures tucked away on side streets, their thick walls whispering stories of a time when life moved at a slower pace. Street names, too, are a constant reminder – names like San Bernardo and Zaragoza, honoring saints and Mexican heroes. Even the food is a legacy, a vibrant blend of Spanish and indigenous traditions. Think cabrito cooked over mesquite, a taste that transcends mere sustenance and becomes a connection to generations past. In Laredo, the past isn't a museum piece; it's a living, breathing part of the present, woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Laredo, TX RoadyGoat

Laredo’s always been a city shaped by the river. It’s in our bones, the way the Rio Grande carves its path, defining us and dividing us. But the last few years, the river's been more than just a boundary or a source of life — it’s been at the heart of a real shift in how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. With trade so crucial to our identity, the increased scrutiny at the border crossing has been a constant conversation. It's not just about the economy, though. It's about families and the daily rhythm of life for so many who cross back and forth for work, school, or to visit loved ones. The delays and tougher regulations have made everyone think harder about what it means to be a border town in the 21st century. You hear it in the coffee shops, see it in the local news. It's made us more aware of our unique position, the tightrope walk we do balancing two cultures, two economies. And it's made folks appreciate the deep connections we have with our neighbors across the river even more. People are rallying to support each other and protect the spirit of binational cooperation that has always defined Laredo. We know we can't take that for granted.

Pvt. David Bennes Cantu Barkley

1899

Born in Laredo on March 31, 1899, David Bennes Cantu Barkley was the son of Josef Barkley, a career Army man stationed at Fort McIntosh, and Antonia Cantu. After the birth of David's sister Amelia, the family moved to San Antonio in 1904. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army under the name of David Barkley. Most World War I military records misspell his name as 'Barkeley." On August 22, 1918, David sailed on the S.S. Sobral to France as part of Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. On November 9th, the company received a 'must' order to cross the Meuse River near Pouilly, France. David volunteered along with another soldier to swim across and explore the surrounding German territory. Despite resistance, Barkley made it across, crawled 400 yards behind enemy lines, and drew the required maps. On his swim back through enemy fire, Barkley was seized with cramps and drowned. His exhausted scouting partner was able to return with the information they had gathered together. Two days later, the Armistice went into effect. Private Barkley was commended by General John Pershing and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was then one of only three Texans to have been given the decoration in the war. He also received the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Victory Medal, Croix de Guerre from France and Croce al Merito di Guerra from Italy. In 1921, his body lay in state at the Alamo, only the second person to have that honor. He is buried under the name David B. Barkley in San Antonio National Cemetery. In 1989, David Barkley's Hispanic heritage was revealed, thus spurring the Army to recognize him as the first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient. (2017)

Historical Marker → · 3.1 mi away

Santos Benavides

1823

Santos Benavides, son of Jose Jesus and Marguerita Benavides and great-great grandson of Laredo founder Tomas Sanchez, was born in Laredo on November 1, 1823. He married Augustina Villareal in 1842. Benavides, appointed procurador (administrative agent) of Laredo in 1843, openly cooperated with the forces of Mirabeau B. Lamar which occupied Laredo during the Mexican War (1846-48) in an effort to pacify the region. He was elected mayor of Laredo in 1856 and 1857 and chief justice of Webb County in 1859. During the Civil War Benavides raised a company of cavalry at Laredo which defeated Juan Cortina in the Battle of Carrizo in 1861. He became a colonel in command of his own regiment known as Benavides' Regiment. On March 19, 1864, his regiment successfully defended Laredo with only 42 men against a Union force of more than 200 men. During the late 1860s and 1870' Benavides engaged in mercantile and ranching activities with his brother Cristobal. He served in the Texas Legislature during the 1880s and in 1884 was appointed Texas Commissioner to the world's Cotton Exposition. Benavides helped found the Guarache party, a faction of Laredo's Democratic Party. He died in Laredo on November 9, 1891. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995

Historical Marker →

Laredo Air Force Base

1940

During World War I, Kelly Field (San Antonio), reached its peak training capacity and the U.S. Army built several auxiliary landing fields in South Texas, including one in Laredo north of Fort McIntosh. In 1940, as the nation faced another war, the city of Laredo hired local contractor H.B. Zachry to build an airport to replace the landing strip. The city named the airport Zachry Field in honor of H.B.'s father, U.S. Army colonel John Zachry. In 1941, local leaders persuaded U.S. senator Morris Sheppard, chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, to petition for a wartime training facility in Laredo. On May 7, 1942, the U.S. Military acquired Zachry Field, expanding the site to more than 2,085 acres, with an additional 685,000 acres of aerial target ranges northwest toward Eagle Pass ad 35,000 acres north of the city for ground target practice. In 1944, Laredo Army Air Field Flexible Gunnery School reached its peak capacity with more than 15,000 personnel and 250 aircraft. Airmen here trained in gunnery instruction and airplane and turret mechanics for medium and heavy bombers. While Women Airforce Service pilots flew engineering tests. In late 1945, the field became inactive and the land transferred to the War Assets Administration. In 1952, during the Korean War, the site reactivated as Laredo Air Force Base, providing basic training for cadets from the U.S. Air Force and 24 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. The base continued in operation until 1973, when the military declared the facility excess and deactivated the command. The site reopened in 1975 as Laredo International Airport, continuing its long association with aviation history in the area. (2007)

Historical Marker →

Barkley, David Bennes

1918

David Bennes Barkley, Medal of Honor recipient, was born, probably in 1899, to Josef and Antonia (Cantú) Barkley in Laredo, Texas. When the United States entered World War I , Barkley enlisted as a private in the United States Army. Family records indicate he did not want to be known as of Mexican descent, for fear he would not see action at the front. He was assigned to Company A, 356th Infantry, Eighty-ninth Division. In France he was given the mission of swimming the Meuse River near Pouilly, in order to infiltrate German lines and gather information about the strength and deployment of German formations. Despite enemy resistance to any allied crossing of the Meuse, Barkley and another volunteer accomplished the mission. While returning with the information, Barkley developed cramps and drowned, on November 9, 1918, just two days before the armistice went into effect. His sacrifice earned praise from Gen. John J. Pershing , the commander of the American Expeditionary Force. Barkley was one of three Texans awarded the nation's highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for service in World War I. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre (France) and the Croce Merito (Italy). In 1921 an elementary school in San Antonio was named for him. He lay in state at the Alamo , the second person to be so honored. He was buried at San Antonio National Cemetery. On January 10, 1941, the War Department named Camp Barkeley for the Texas hero.

Tsha Handbook →

Benavides, Santos

1861

Santos Benavides, the highest ranking Mexican American to serve the Confederacy, the son of José Jesús and Margarita (Ramón) Benavides, was born in Laredo, Texas, on November 1, 1823. He was the great-great-grandson of Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera y Garza , the founder of Laredo. Benavides married Agustina Villareal in 1842, and the couple eventually adopted four children. As a political and military leader in Laredo, Benavides brought a traditionally isolated region closer to the mainstream of Texas politics while preserving a sense of local independence. His prominence in Laredo resulted initially from the influence of his uncle, Basilio Benavides , who was three times elected alcalde under Mexican rule, then mayor and state representative after annexation . Santos Benavides's success as a merchant and rancher also contributed to his selection as procurador in 1843, then to his election as mayor of Laredo in 1856 and chief justice of Webb County in 1859. He won further distinction as the leader of several campaigns against the Lipan Apaches and other Indians. Under both Mexican and American rule, his politics remained consistent. During the Federalist-Centralist wars that swept the Rio Grande frontier in the 1830s and 1840s, geographically isolated northern Mexico supported the Federalist cause of local autonomy against the Centralists, who wanted power focused in distant Mexico City. As a young man Benavides fought for the Federalists. Frustrated with the Mexican government, he cooperated with the forces of Mirabeau B. Lamar , which occupied Laredo during the Mexican War . Benavides joined his uncle in opposing the annexation of the Laredo area by the United States, as called for by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , because he feared it would compromise the independent character of northern Mexico. When Texas seceded, Benavides and his brothers supported the Confederacy, whose states'-rights principles were so close to their regionalism. Commissioned a captain in the Thirty-third Texas Cavalry (or Benavides' Regiment) and assigned to the Rio Grande Military District, Benavides quickly won accolades as a fighter. He drove Juan Cortina back into Mexico in the battle of Carrizo on May 22, 1861, and quelled other local revolts against Confederate authority. In November 1863 Benavides was promoted to colonel and authorized to raise his own regiment of "Partisan Rangers," for which he used the remnants of the Thirty-third. His greatest military triumph was his defense of Laredo on March 19, 1864, with forty-two troops against 200 soldiers of the Union First Texas Cavalry , commanded by Col. Edmund J. Davis , who had, ironically, offered Benavides a Union generalship earlier. Perhaps Benavides's most significant contribution to the South came when he arranged for safe passage of Texas cotton along the Rio Grande to Matamoros during the Union occupation of Brownsville in 1864. During Reconstruction he continued his mercantile and ranching activities with his brother Cristóbal Benavides and remained active in politics. In support of his son-in-law, Gen. Lázaro Garza Ayala, and Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, he was accused of using his rancho, Charcos Largo, as a supply depot for filibustering expeditions against Mexican president Porfirio Díaz. He served three times in the Texas legislature from 1879 to 1884 and twice as an alderman of Laredo. He was instrumental in the formation of the Guarache or citizen's party in South Texas, a faction of the Democratic party opposed to the powerful Botas ( see BOTAS AND GUARACHES ). His political affiliations indicated his continued belief in regional independence from national authority. His leadership built Democratic support among Hispanics in Webb County and contributed to the eclipse of the Republican party in the region. Benavides's friendship with the followers of Benito Juárez and his kinship ties to Manuel Gonzales prompted Porfirio Díaz to select him as an envoy to the United States during

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Cigarroa, Joaquin Gonzalez, Jr.

1954

Joaquin Gonzalez Cigarroa, Jr., physician, humanitarian, education advocate, and civic leader, was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 5, 1924, to Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez Cigarroa, Sr., and Josefina Gonzalez de la Vega. During his childhood, his family moved to Laredo where he, his sister Rebeca, and brother Leonides attended public schools. As a young boy, Joaquin Jr. had a calling to be a doctor and accompanied his father on house calls. With a career in medicine in mind, he dedicated himself to his studies and graduated from Martin High School as valedictorian in 1941. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and then at the age of twenty-three graduated with honors from Harvard Medical School in 1947. He subsequently completed internships at the University of Chicago and the former Boston City Hospital between 1948 and 1951. Cigarroa also was a teaching fellow at Harvard before serving as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1951, when he conducted seminal research in hepatitis in Kyoto, Japan, during the Korean War. Returning to Laredo in 1954, Cigarroa (affectionately referred to as Dr. Joaquin by those who knew him) started a medical practice alongside his father and brother at the Cigarroa Medical Clinic. During the next seven decades, he served not only as a physician who ministered to countless patients as a clinician, but also as a driving force in advancing medicine and education throughout the state of Texas. Colleagues and patients heralded him for his generosity and compassion, and Cigarroa helped establish several medical centers and served as chief of staff at Laredo’s Mercy Hospital for many years and on its board of trustees. He played a vital role in recruiting doctors to South Texas, an area that previously was underserved by physicians. As a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for twelve years, his vision proved instrumental in expanding the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and establishing a dental school there as well as the approval for the UT Health Science Center in Houston . In Laredo, Cigarroa worked to facilitate access to higher education for every student regardless of background. In 1968 he and his brother Leo provided compelling testimony before the Texas legislature which led to Senate approval for the establishment of Texas A&M International University in Laredo. He served on the board of the Laredo Independent School District (LISD) for more than twenty-three years. LISD named the Cigarroa Middle School after him when it opened in 1983 in honor of his advancement of education for Laredo’s youth. He also worked to establish new degree programs at Laredo Community College. In recognition of his achievements and life of service, Cigarroa accrued many honors, including: Mr. South Texas, 1981; Laredo Times Man of the Year, 1992 and 1994; LULAC ’s Life Achievement Laureate, 1996; Humanitarian of the Year in 1999; Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Texas, 2002; election as a member of the Philosophical Society of Texas and as Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Laredo. Joaquin Cigarroa married Barbara Judith “Bobbie” Flores in 1954. They had ten children: Patricia, Barbara, Francisco, Ricardo, Jorge, Carlos, Gabriella, Joaquin, Maria Elena and Marisa. He and Bobbie encouraged each of their children to achieve their dreams through obtaining a higher education. “There’s nothing more beautiful than learning,” Dr. Joaquin expressed. His son Francisco Cigarroa, a pediatric transplant surgeon, former chancellor of the University of Texas System , and chair of the Ford Foundation’s board of trustees, recalled, “In shadowing my father as he made house calls, and seeing his love of his practice, I received a firsthand view not only of the beauty of the art of medicine, which has run through four generations in my family, but also how this art pro

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Things to Do in Laredo

day trip
Day Trip to Laredo 🌮 (FULL EPISODE) S8 E11

Featured on The Daytripper — a full-episode local travel guide.

Everything Near Laredo

119 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

Explore Laredo on the Map
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