The shortage of playing jobs is especially hard on mariachi members whose livelihood depends on playing. Torres said the money he earned from playing with the group was his primary source of income. Torres said he realizes the problems faced by mariachis are felt by many musicians, regardless of genre. Any music group that depends on live performances has taken a hit with the pandemic. For mariachis, the COVID-produced setback follows a period in which the genre has generally been thriving, both in Mexico and the United States. More than just the music, the traveling bands provide a link fo...