Michael E. Sanchez

Does the film “No Country For Old Men” ring a bell. It should. The film was honored with numerous awards, garnering three British Academy of Film awards, two Golden Globes, and four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem). Do you remember the only song in the film? The song is entitled “Volar Sin Alas” (unfortunately titled Puño de Tierra in the movie). Do the following songs also ring a familiar bell? “Los Ojos de mi Madre,” “Mi Marido,” “Dime,” “Reunidos,” and “Otra Vez en la Cantina.” If so, does the name Michael Sánchez also ring a bell? It should since the songs, and the artist are synonymous with New Mexico’s great music. Michael Sánchez was born in Española, New Mexico but grew up in Dixon, New Mexico. He recalls how he often accompanied his family to Colorado to work in the fields. Michael was too young to work the fields at the time, but his memory takes him to the shanty houses by the railroad, a memory filled with many tactile connections. At six his family moved to Albuquerque. Michael knew only Spanish. He was enrolled at Longfellow Elementary and eventually transferred to St. Therese School, Garfield, Valley High School and finally graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School.