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Freddy Fender, born Baldemar Huerta in San Benito, Texas on June 4, 1937, was a Tejano, country, and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados.
Early Years
As a child, Baldemar and his parents travelled throughout the US as migrant farm hands. At the age of 16, Baldemar quit school and started a three year hitch in the US Marines. He returned to Texas and played bars and honky-tonks throughout the south, mostly to Latino audiences. In 1957, he released two songs to moderate success in Mexico and South America, Spanish versions of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel", and Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell". In 1959, Baldemar changed his name to Freddy Fender. He took Fender from the headstock of his guitar, and Freddy because it sounded good to him. He then headed for California.
Initial Success
In 1959, Fender recorded "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights". The song became popular in 1960, but he was beset by legal troubles after he and a band member were arrested for narcotics possesion. After a two year jail term, Fender ended up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he would spend the next five years.
By the end of the 1960s, Fender was back in Texas working as a mechanic, and attending a local junior college, while only playing music on the weekends.
Number One Pop and Country
In 1974, Fender recorded "Before The Next Teardrop Falls". The single was selected for national distribution, and became a number one hit on the Billboard Country and Pop charts. His next four singles, including a remake of "Wasted Days", all hit the number one spot on the Billboard Country charts.
Texas Tornadoes
In the 1990s, Fender teamed up with fellow Tex-Mex musicians Doug Sahm, Flaco Jimenez and Augie Myers to form the Texas Tornados, whose work was widely acclaimed. Following the death of Sahm, the production of the Tornadoes slowed.
Fender today
Most recently, Freddy Fender has signed a contract with a major label, and continues to sing, play and tour from his base in Texas.
Honors
- Academy of Country Music (1975) - "Most Promising Male Vocalist"
- Country Music Association (1975) - "Single of the Year" for "Before The Next Teardrop Falls"
- Grammy nominations in 1975, 1976, and 1997
- Tejano Music Hall of Fame (1987)
- Inaugural Balls - Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr.
- Grammy Award "Best Mexican/American Performance" (1990) - for the Texas Tornados
- European Walk of Fame (1993) - in Rotterdam, Holland
- Freddy Fender Lane (1994) - dedicated in his hometown of San Benito, Texas
- Hollywood Walk of Fame (1999)
- Texas Music Hall Of Fame (1999)
- Nashville Sidewalk of Stars (1999)
- Country Music Hall Of Fame (1999)
- Grammy Award "Best Mexican/American Performance" (1999) - for Los Super Seven
- Louisiana Hall Of Fame (2001)
- Grammy Award "Best Latin Pop" (2002) - for La Musica de Baldemar Huerta
- HomeFest - an annual festival in San Benito in Freddy Fender's honor
External Links
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