PLATERO'S

FTVRB2 INC.

RE: The Plateros Performance

On March 30, 2007, we had the pleasure of having “The Plateros” perform on our show “REZ BLUEZ TV” season 2 which is an hour long variety showcase for Aboriginal, Native American, First Nations musicians and comedians that airs here in Canada.

To say that we, the cast and crew, where blown away by this amazingly talented power trio would be an understatement. Not only did they play with amazing musicianship, their live show was very entertaining, especially the earth shattering guitar work of Levi Platero, who plays with such skill and grace that we where all left speechless, (no small feat considering a lot of our crew are musicians themselves!), and with Murphy and Doug keeping a rock solid rhythm section, their performance is a crowd pleasing event that has to be seen to fully appreciated. Their music is filled with positive messages that can be conveyed to any crowd. We wish them all the success in the future and would more than love to have them back on our show. Thank you for your time.


Rez Bluez TV Producer, FTVRB2 INC.
- Shawn Henry

Newcomers join legends at Native Roots & Rhythms
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times


Levi Platero, 16, lead singer and guitarist for The Plateros from Tohajiilee, N.M., plays the blues last Friday at the Native Roots & Rhythms concert in Santa Fe.
SANTA FE, Aug. 28, 2008

The Paolo Soleri Amphitheater at the Santa Fe Indian School was the place to be this past weekend.

The 14th Annual Native Roots & Rhythms featured exceptional indigenous artists from throughout the world during two nights of music.

Friday night, dubbed "Tribal Harmony," featured the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Plateros.

The Navajo Times arrived just in time to watch the Plateros perform an astounding set that featured some masterful guitar playing by 16-year-old Levi Platero, who also sang.

Levi's father, Murphy Platero, was on bass and vocals, and cousin Douglas Platero on drums kept the pace and rhythm.

Levi's bluesy sound clearly showed that his inspiration comes from Texas-based Los Lonely Boys and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn.

His guitar playing easily matched the latter in quality. His solos were explosive and the audience showed its appreciation with roaring cheers.

The highlight of his performance was the encore performance of the Los Lonely Boys hit "Heaven," in which Levi and his father Murphy shared the singing duties.

Again, his guitar playing was superb, every bit as professional as the Los Lonely Boys' CD.

"It was awesome," Levi said backstage following his band's performance. "I had a blast playing here."
- Navajo Times

The Plateros to play Santa Fe festival
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

The Plateros, from Tohajiilee, N.M., play the blues from the band's own repertoire. Band members are, left to right, Douglas Platero (drums), Levi Platero (guitar/vocals) and Murphy Platero (bass/vocals).
WINDOW ROCK, Aug. 21, 2008

When blues guitarist Levi Platero, 16, takes the stage, he brings with him a host of the greatest names in blues - Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters - as well as hints of modern artists such Mato Nanji and Los Lonely Boys.

But Platero says his biggest inspiration and influence comes from home.

"The influence really comes from my dad," he said in a recent telephone interview with the Navajo Times. "He is my inspiration."

Platero handles vocals and guitar for the Plateros, a blues trio scheduled to play this weekend at the Native Roots & Rhythms festival in Santa Fe.

Levi's father, Murphy Platero, 45, sings and plays bass, and cousin Douglas Platero, 24, is on drums. All are originally from T—hajiilee Chapter.

The family's music is rooted in gospel music, a natural outgrowth of their Christian faith, and they continue to perform gospel as well as blues.

But Levi said his heart is in the blues.

He first picked up the guitar in December 2004, said his father, and is largely self-taught. He would sift through guitar magazines to learn the playing style of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Though only 12, Levi progressed so fast and showed such talent that his father could not help but take notice.

"He just got really into the guitar, really got inspired to play," Murphy recalled.

Then one day Levi and his cousin Douglas decided to sit down together and play.

"It just kicked it off from there," Murphy said. "Doug had been playing since he was 7 or 8 years old. I've been playing most of my life in church with my dad."

The three got together at the family home and began playing together informally, and from there studied Stevie Ray Vaughn and Los Lonely Boys, in particular, because that was the music they loved.

What began as a jam session led to live performances, including an appearance at Stage 49 at the 2004 Gathering of Nations Powwow that was set up by Litefoot, the Cherokee actor and hip-hop artist.

Demand spread by word-of-mouth and the band found itself with more and more work, Murphy said.

"We were starting to constantly travel," he noted.

At the same time, Murphy said, he does not lose sight of the fact that Levi, though he performs onstage like a seasoned pro, is still a kid.

"He's just a kid," Murphy said. "He likes to hang out with his friends, play video games and get into trouble. When we've been on the road for a while, sometimes he would tell me, 'Dad, I just want to go home.'"

The band has two recordings that are always on sale at their live shows.

The Plateros are scheduled to perform Friday at the 14th Annual Native Roots & Rhythms festival, which takes place Aug. 22 to 23 at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater (1501 Cerrillos Rd.) in Santa Fe.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and tickets are $15 per person, free for children 12 and under (free admission limited to two kids per paying adult.)

Information: www.myspace.com/theplateros
www.theplateros.homestead.com

- Navajo Times

July 25, 2007

The Plateros performed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on July 7, 2007, as part of a daylong concert called Mother Earth held in conjunction with the global "LIVE EARTH" concert designed to raise consciousness about climate change.
The Plateros were one of six American Indian groups invited to participate, with other groups coming from South America, Canada, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

While the Plateros may not have been the best-known band to perform when they arrived, it is clear that by the time they left the stage they had made a huge impression on the hundreds of people in attendance, and on the staff of the National Museum of the American Indian. The Plateros can, quite simply, BLOW YOU AWAY!! With young Levi on lead guitar and vocals and solid backing from Murphy on bass, and Douglas on drums, this family band was one of the biggest hits on a day of extraordinary perfformances. In addition, when members of all the bands took the stage for a finale, it was Levi Platero's performance that made the audience stand up and cheer, no wonder it was his solo that has been playing lately on You Tube. AWESOME!!!!

Our plans are to invite this amazing trio back to the National Museum of the American Indian in the future.

Thank You. - Howard Bass, Cultural Arts Manager