Charo

Q. Where does the name Charo come from?
A. My name is Risario. “Charo” is kinda like what you would call a nickname, like you would call some lady named Margaret “Maggie ” or a man named Roberto “Bob.”

Q. What does the name Charo mean?
A. Believe it or not, it means peace.

Q. Is it true you really lived in a convent?
A. Oh, yeah, all my life. As long as I can remember, there was always a convent. In fact, that’s where I learned how to play the guitar.

Q. You made a nice gesture in your show as a tribute to the late John Wayne. Did you know him?
A. Oh, yeah. I loved him. But, I never worked with him. He offered me parts in two films, but I was never available. Always, I am so busy.

Q. He was a great favorite of yours, wasn’t he?
A. Yes. Yes. I adored the man. I knew he had to die. I admired him for two reasons. He was a great man and a great citizen. He was for America, always.

Q.You’re an American citizen aren’t you?
A. Oh, Yeah. I’ve been an American since November, 1977. Since that day, I can say, ‘Sock it to me, sock it to me.’”