Agustin Lira, born in Coahuila, Mexico in1945, is the son of Mexican farmworkers who emigrated here 1952. They followed the crops up and down the San Joaquin Valley before settling in Selma. In 1965 at the age of 19, his interest in musical theater led him to collaborate with Luis Valdez in the of creation El Teatro Campesino (The Farmworkers’ Theatre). Inspired by the Delano grape strikes headed by Cesar Chavez, the company created songs and plays that they performed on picket lines, at union halls and at rallies throughout California and across the country, using their artistic expression to give voice to the plight of farmworkers.
Agustin’s powerful singing and socially relevant lyrics were at the heart of El Teatro Campesino and established his role as the preeminent musical voice of the early Chicano Movement. After leaving Campesino in 1971, Agustin continued his work in music and theater by forming several theater groups, most notably “El Teatro de la Tierra” (Theatre of the Earth), which performed throughout Southern California at schools, colleges, governmental agencies, community organizations, and correctional institutions. He also taught drama, music, and creative writing at universities, schools, and community organizations throughout California.
With musical group Alma (formed in 1979 by Lira and Patricia Wells Solorzano), Agustin has performed at national and international festivals in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. His music has appeared in theatrical productions, film and he has been the subject of two award-winning radio documentaries. Additionally, his work was featured in Smithsonian Folkways retrospective “Rolas de Aztlan: Songs of the Chicano Movement” (2006).
Other recognitions of his work include Horizon Award (2010) by the Fresno Arts Council; Hispanic American Portraits of Success Award 2008, from KSEE Channel 24; the California Latino Legislative Caucus Award, 2007; Local Hero Award, 2006 from Valley Public Television, Channel 18 and Union Bank.
Agustin now resides in Fresno and teaches music to young people in the inner-city of Fresno, and continues to write songs and plays.