From both sides of the border

CLAUDIA FIGUEROA

Freddy Fender is used to a busy touring schedule. But in a brief break

this week, before his performance at the Orange County Fair on July 23,

the Tex-Mex performer is at home in Corpus Christi, Texas, relaxing and

working on his van before he sets out on the road again.

“I have to keep touring because that’s a big part of my job as a

musician,” he said.

Fender, 64, is one of a handful of Mexican American entertainers whose

sound has enriched American music. Having been in the recording business

for four decades, the two-time Grammy Award winner has dabbled in many

musical styles.

In the mid-1960s, Fender surfaced in New Orleans, where he spent five

years honing an R&B; and Cajun-funk style. Nearly a decade later, with

several country hits under his belt, he shifted his style to Tex-Mex, a

combination of polka and traditional tunes that originated near the

Mexican border.

Fender--whose real name is Baldemar Huerta--has taken his brand of o7

musica rancheraf7 from a poor Hispanic neighborhood in San Benito,

Texas, in the early 1950s, when record companies typically scouted talent

in rural towns, to countries around the globe.

By 1957, when Fender was better known as “El Be-Bop Kid,” two songs

from his first album had become international hits. Then Ritchie Valen’s

“La Bamba” hit record stores in 1958, and a year later Fender had a

recording contract with Imperial Records--the label that was home to Fats

Domino and other top acts.

At the time, some musicians had their doubts about reaching stardom

with ethnic music. But Fender said, in his case, race or ethnicity was

never an issue.

“I never went into the business as a Mexican performer. I went in as

Freddy Fender,” he said. “I came in strong with two international hits. I

was too strong for anyone to care what my ethnic background was.”

Fender says he prefers classical Mexican tunes, and he is not very

impressed with Tejano--a modern form of Mexican music.

“That sound has been popular for a long time,” Fender said. “But it’s

just dressed-up ranchera music, with a lot of jazzy additions.”

In the ‘90s, Fender honed in on the Tex-Mex rhythms with the group

Texas Tornados. With fellow members Doug Sahm, Augie Myers and Flaco

Jimenez, Fender produced a pure blend of roots rock and progressive blues

music.

These days Fender contends he is a simple man who likes simple music.

But he also values tradition and his is deep-rooted from Mexico.

So Fender sings on his most recent album, “Los Super Seven,” which won

a Grammy Award last year for best Mexican American performance. It is a

set of 13 traditional Mexican folk songs Fender grew up listening to.

“I knew my next album was going to go back to my roots,” Fender said.

One song in the collection, “Piensa En Mi,” a bolero by one of

Mexico’s top composers, Agustin Lara, is a song Fender chose in memory of

his grandparents.

In addition to the Texas Tornados, the album features a team of music

luminaries, including East Los Angeles roots-rockers Cesar Rosas and

David Hildago of Los Lobos, Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos, Joe Ely and Rick

Travino.

“Los Super Seven,” released by RCA Nashville, was an instant hit and

the group toured extensively after its release.

“We hit them with something that no one expected. We hit them with

raw, beautiful, simplistic music that, in some places, is completely

forgotten,” said Fender, whose first Grammy was claimed nine years ago

for his work with the Texas Tornados.

“A lot of times, people in the music industry forget the simplicity of

a voice and a guitar, or a voice and a bass. It was great recording the

album, but the result was even greater,” he added. “I knew it was going

to be a daring endeavor. I just sat down and did the songs the best I

could.”

Unfortunately, the album’s release coincided with the untimely death

of the Tornados’ Sahm.

“We miss him,” Fender said. “But he would prefer us to remember him

and keep on singing. And, that’s what we do.”

Well-known for focusing on his craft, Fender is constantly touring the

U.S., pausing to spend only a few days at home with his family.

Now, Fender said he’s reconsidering his place in Mexican Folk music.

“I think I want to go back to being a Latino rock ‘n’ roller,” he

explained.

That same spirit will be relayed to fair-goers, when Fender performs a

set of songs that spans his career. In addition to “Piensa En Mi,” Fender

said he plans to share a selection of country and rock ‘n’ roll tunes.

FYI

* WHAT: Freddy Fender

* WHEN: 7 and 9 p.m. July 23

* WHERE: Orange County Fair, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

* HOW MUCH: Show is free with fair admission of $6 for adults, $5 for

seniors and $2 for children ages 6 through 12. Parking is $5 per vehicle,

or $3 with four or more passengers.

* PHONE: (714) 708-3247