One could say Jimmy Bejarano, Jr., wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but nearly born with an accordion and bajo sexto in his hand.

Mr. Bejarano, 39, can't remember a time in his life that wasn't filled with the sounds of harmonizing voices, guitars, and drums. The Conjunto music, the Mexican-American sounds that popular Tejano music sprung from, has been passed along from Mr. Bejarano's grandparents and parents, all former migrant workers from Texas, to him.

Mr. Bejarano's father, Jimmy, Sr., formed Los Cuatro Vientos de Jimmy Bejarano in 1985 after being involved in many bands himself. He taught his sons, Jimmy, Jr., and Ruben Bejarano, the basics of the instruments and developed a sound all their own.

Some Hispanic nonprofit organizations, though, believe Mr. Bejarano was born with a heart of gold as well, as Los Cuatro Vientos plays about 10 benefit concerts a year, benefiting scholarship funds, church fund-raisers, and the like.

All over Northwest Ohio, the band has used its popularity and drawing power to aid numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. The band, which has fan clubs in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, has set a trend for other bands that play Mexican-American styled music.

“It's rare to have any of these bands donate their time,” said Consuelo Hernandez, an administrator with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and community activist. “This band has such a following and name recognition that they will draw people. I think part of why they do donate their time is because of family and it's part of their philosophy.”

For 16 years, Mr. Bejarano, Jr., has worked as a diesel mechanic for the United Parcel Service in Maumee. On weekends, he joins his father, brother, and bandmate Angel Torres for gigs throughout the Midwest and Southwest. His mother, Horalia, coordinates the band's bookings and sells compact discs during concerts to make the event a complete family affair.

Some of the benefits the band has done, playing without pay, have left behind happy fans and nonprofit organizers.

“People have called me at home asking will [Los Cuatro Vientos] be there, so I know there are people specifically there to hear them play,” said Rick Ramos, president of the Hispanic Awareness Organization in Defiance that has an annual fund-raiser in August. “It's hard to say how much money they have specifically brought in, but I know since they have started other bands are now donating their time.”

Mr. Ramos said five bands played at this year's program in Defiance. He said to book the bands would have cost the Hispanic Awareness Organization over $5,000.

“That makes a huge difference in what we can do with the money we raised,” Mr. Ramos said. “We've gotten people from the tri-state area - Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana - because of Jimmy. Other bands, wanting to get that kind of exposure, are now saying [they] want to do the same thing.”

Mr. Bejarano, Jr., has become the front man for the band while sharing vocals with his father.

“Conjunto is the kind of music that takes us, as Mexican-Americans, back to our roots,” Ms. Hernandez said. “Jimmy has a lot of charisma and that's important. The people in the audience really focus on him.”

Mr. Bejarano, Jr., said for his graduation from Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis, his parents bought him a hand-crafted bajo sexto, a large 12-string guitar. He said it took him some time to master the rare instrument, but it has given the band a unique sound.

He said that sound has caught on not only in Ohio, but in Texas where crowds tend to be more curious about them.

“When we play in Ohio, about half the crowd would watch and the other half would dance,” Mr. Bejarano, Jr., said. “In Texas, everyone tends to watch us because it's rare to have a band come from Ohio to play. We get bands from Texas that play here all the time.

“Also, I think people are wondering if we can really play. It's like, ‘OK, let's see what they've got.' We've received a great reception there.”

Mr. Bejarano said he was pleased to recently have a No. 1 single in San Antonio, titled “Pa Que Me Sirve La Vida,” which means “What Is My Life Worth.” San Antonio is one of the hotbeds and proving grounds for Conjunto and Tejano artists.

Although Mr. Bejarano acknowledges the band can't fill all its dates with benefit concerts, he said many of those events have been some of the most enjoyable to perform.

“I think they're helping keep the Hispanic heritage alive,” Mr. Ramos said of Mr. Bejarano and the band. “It's been a win-win situation for the organizations and the band. Jimmy has his heart in the right place.”

First Published September 30, 2002, 11:00 a.m.