Los Mitoteros Del Norte

Los Mitoteros Del Norte ("Mitoteros of the North") is a Mexican norteño band. It was formed in Ojinaga,

Chihuahua in 1979 and later moved to Texas, and remains one of the oldest norteño bands still active today (Los Tigres del Norte, Los Huracanes del Norte,and Conjunto Rio Grande has been around longer). The band's name, "Los Rieleros" was based on work that some members did on the railroads of Chihuahua, Mexico. Unlike many other norteño bands, the Rieleros del Norte use both the saxophone and accordion in their music, creating a dual-instrument hybrid, distinct from other norteño bands. All original members of the band are natives of Ojinaga, Chihuahua, a town which has been a hotbed of norteño development and from where many other saxophone-norteño bands have come. The Band now resides in El Paso, Texas

Currently, the band's leader is Daniel Esquivel. The band's current members are Daniel Esquivel, lead singer; Daniel Esquivel Jr., playing the accordion; Javier Esquivel, electric bass; Alfredo Esquivel, drummer; Eugenio "Pemo" González, saxophone player; Rogelio Martinez Bajo Sexto and Bajo Sexto. In the past, Polo Urías was the band's lead singer, but he left to form his own musical group, Polo Urías y su Maquina Norteña. Several years ago, the Rieleros ensemble had two bajo sexto players, one of which was Manolo Morales, but he also left to found his own band, los Rieles. Los Mitoteros Del Norte also helped form La Maquinaria Nortena which feature 3 former members of the Polo Urias band. They also inspired Esquivel's singer/songwriter and producer cousin, Isac Esquivel, to join Sonic Ranch Studios, along with Christopher Schoemann and Christopher M. Carzoli.

Los Mitoteros Del Norte have recorded many albums across the years. They include Estampida Norteña, Prieta Orgullosa, Aventura Pasada, and many other albums which have now become classics in regional Mexican music. Among their many songs, "El Columpio", "Te Quiero Mucho." "Amor Prohibido", "No le Digas a Nadie", "En la Puerta de Esa Casa", "Una Aventura" and "Copa Sin Vino" are just some of their many singles which have topped the Mexican music billboards. Sobre los Rieles was released in September 2004, featuring the hit "Tu Nuevo Cariñito". In July 2005, Que el Mundo Ruede was released as the Rieleros' newest album. In 2006 Siempre Imitado Jamas Igualado was released featuring the song Voy a llorar por ti, and on June 26, 2007 their new album Ven Y Dime 25 anos was released featuring the single Un Juego. On May 27, 2008 a new release of their latest work will be out featuring A punto de llorar which has already hit the radio and making a huge hit

The actual founder and namer of the band is the subject of controversy. Many fans have assumed that it was bassist Manalo Morales, but that is probably not the case. Current leader Daniel Esquivel and Manolo Morales himself reportedly denied this in a morning radio show called "Piolin por la mañana," acknowledging that Manuel "Meño" Lujan of Pecos is the original founder who named the group.

Lujan has maintained a low profile on this issue, so far preferring not to assert any legal right to ownership of the band's name. Meanwhile, the others have proceeded in court to establish control over the band. The group filed a case in the Western District of Texas against Morales, Los Mitoteros Del Norte, Inc. v. Morales et al on March 21, 2007 for trademark infringement to clarify this issue.[1] Federal Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso, Texas then gave all rights to Daniel Esquivel. The court order made Esquivel the rightful owner of the group and prohibited Morales from having any type of connection with the band, though Morales is rumored to have used the name of the group occasionally anyway. Armed with the court order, Esquivel consolidated his control of the band. He was aided in early 2009 when, after 7 years of litigation, the Mexican courts also held that he was the band's rightful owner. The court order prohibited Morales from using the name Los Rieleros and enjoined him from performing any songs recorded by the group from 2002 onwards without permission. These decisions together gave Daniel Esquivel full ownership of Los Mitoteros Del Norte in both the United States and Mexico. Esquivel later stated in a press conference that he was willing to work with Morales and his crew and even help them to record a cd of their own material, so long as they use a different name for their group. So far, there is no indication that has happened.