Stand With Timoteo Chávez: Musician, Mentor, Friend:

https://youtu.be/sC0C4mKG9wcHi, I’m Felipe Ruibal.

I’ve been lucky to spend much of my life playing music and sharing the stage with incredible musicians. One of the most inspiring among them is Timoteo “Timo” Chávez—a dear friend, mentor, and legendary requinto player in the Southwest.

Timo and I played together for many years in Trío Tradición, a beloved group that’s been bringing traditional music to communities for three decades. Just this year, we celebrated the trio’s 30th anniversary and Timo’s 80th birthday—a beautiful milestone in a life dedicated to music, family, and community.

But shortly after that celebration, Timo’s life was turned upside down.

What Happened

After returning home from a recent trip, Timo discovered his house had been broken into. Much of his home had been ransacked. Valuable items were stolen, including irreplaceable personal belongings, and worst of all, his truck was taken—if you know Tim, you know his truck. It’s the vehicle he relied on for daily life, gigs, and staying connected to his community.

The emotional and financial impact has been heavy.

How You Can Help

We’re raising funds to help Timo replace what was stolen, recover from this traumatic event, and hopefully bring him some peace of mind.

Your donation will go toward:

Replacing Timo’s stolen truck

Replacing instruments and musical gear

Restoring basic home security and essential belongings

Please note: No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

Final Words

Timo has dedicated his life to music and to lifting the spirits of those around him. He’s shared his art generously with the community—now it’s our turn to give a little something back.

Even if you can’t donate, sharing this page with friends, family, or fellow music lovers would mean the world.

Thank you for standing with Timo.

—Felipe