Also credited as: Pepe Maldonado (and his ensemble) Y Su Conjunto / Pepe was born to Santana and Nieves Maldonado in Rio Grande City. He was one of four brothers, and had seven sisters. By 1945, the hard-working migrant family had relocated to Edinburg. From a very young age, Pepe dreamed of entering the music scene. While he can play a variety of instruments, including the accordion, bass and bajo-sexto, he was especially interested in singing.