While his family tree is rooted in five generations of mariachi musicians hailing from La Sierra del Tigre region of Jalisco, José Hernández built on that foundation to grow mariachi music in new territories, musical genres, and in the hearts of new audiences. After forming Mariachi Sol de Mexico® in 1981, Hernández led the group to instant and lasting success, playing in sold-out halls, including Madison Square Garden, and in cities including Beijing and Pyongyang. They have been invited to play at the White House for five US presidents.

The ability of Mariachi Sol de Mexico® de José Hernández to blend genres seamlessly is evidenced in their cohesive collaboration with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Jalisco Symphony. This magic was captured in their 25th-anniversary symphonic album, which led to the first ever mariachi-symphony Grammy nomination. Their work can also be heard in films including Rango, Glory Road, Seabiscuit, and Don Juan de Marco.

The versatility of Sol de Mexico® to expand to new audiences has led to collaborations with artists such as the Beach Boys and Willie Nelson. Within the world of Latin music, Sol de Mexico® has played alongside stars such as Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Jose Feliciano, and a record-breaking concert tour with Luis Miguel. The group has been nominated for 10 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.

When they are not playing for heads of state or global audiences, they can be seen locally, often working with a younger generation of musicians through the Mariachi Heritage Society.