Photo Courtesy of the Romero Quartet Spanish guitar ensemble the Romero Quartet keeps it all in the family with three generations of Romeros.

Many well-known families have jumped into the limelight of show business together, such as the Jackson clan and the Simpson sisters. There is a lesser-known showbiz family, however, coming to the UA: The Romero Quartet, a Spanish guitar-playing group.

The Romero household was a musical one, Celedonio Romero being a legendary musician in Spain who passed on his interest and talent for music to his sons.

"It began with my father and my brother Celine and my brother Angel and I," said Pepe Romero, the second-eldest son in the family. "We all loved the guitar, so we became guitarists together."

With their move from Spain to the United States in 1957, the Romero Quartet became the first guitar quartet, and things escalated from there. After touring everywhere from Hong Kong to the United States and releasing numerous albums, the Romero Quartet has developed quite a reputation.

The tradition of the guitar has been passed down in the family, which now includes a third generation of Romeros. In 1995, Angel Romero left the group to pursue a career as a conductor, and Celino Romero, son of Celine, took his place as the fourth member of the quartet.

Like Pepe, Celino Romero grew up with the sounds of the Spanish guitar playing but was not always aware of his innate ability.

"I grew up as a part of it, never knowing I was going to be a part of it," Celino said.

Celino said his first exposure to being onstage was as a kid when he would sometimes travel with his dad and act as a "little stage manager." During his adolescence, he took a semester off from high school after deciding that he really wanted to perform. Like father, like son.

"I got out there and played, and from the first note I just loved it," Celino said.

In 1996, Celedonio Romero passed away and Angel came back to perform with his family. Even with the loss of their founding father, the Romeros' sound has stayed consistent.

"The music hasn't changed because the new members were born listening to it. It's in their blood," Pepe said.

Lito Romero, son of Angel, took the place of Celedonio, adding another young element to the quartet. Celino said that he and his cousin, Lito, are responsible for attracting a youthful crowd to their performances.

"In Asia there were about 5,000 people and about 3,000 of them were between 6 years old and 18 years old," Celino said. "And I mean they were loving it."

And why wouldn't they? Having been around for almost 50 years now, the Romeros are still rockin' on. They recently finished touring Asia and continue to play in the United States and Mexico. Pepe said their show in Mexico City this week was a success.

"That was wonderful ... fantastic," he said. "We are always on the move."

Of all the tours, all the albums and genres within Spanish music that the Romero Quartet has done, Pepe cannot choose one type or song that stands out above the rest.

"I don't have a favorite because we all believe very much that for you to do your best work, you have to love what you are doing," Pepe said.

So if school has already started to take its toll, come de-stress with this dynasty of classical Spanish guitar playing.

"People should expect to have a very good time to listen to the music that makes them happy," Pepe said. "Like they took a vacation in the south of Spain."

The Romero Quartet will perform this evening at 7:30 in Centennial Hall. Regular admission is from $25 to $42, UA faculty and staff ticket prices are between $15 and $42 and student and children's admission is $10 to $42. Senior citizen and military discounts are also available.