Don Mathis

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0600

San Antonio radio played several tunes by Freddy Fender on October 14. I took note because I've had my eye on a greatest hits compilation at a local store. It rained off and on all day that Saturday. Later, I found myself at the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio. People danced in the drizzle. The dampness only seemed to whet the appetite of the crowd for more. Flaco Jimenez stopped his set to inform the crowd that a fellow band member of the Texas Tornados had died that day. "Freddy Fender," the audience chanted, as if in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. On queue, a gust of wind dumped the canopy of accumulated rain water in front of the audience. My friend observed, "The Next Teardrop Falls." We smiled in our sadness. The band broke into a song, "Who Were You Thinking Of?" The teardrops are starting now, Freddy, "The Rains Came." "Since I Met You, Baby," your songs have been "My Secret Love." We'll have some more "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" at the "Ranchito" because with Fender's guitar and his honey voice gone, we know, like he told us, "You'll Lose a Good Thing." "Vaya Con Dios," Freddy. I think I'll go get that greatest hits CD.

Garab

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:00:37 -0600

Great Article Mary Jane! Freddy was always a good show to see. Growin up we used to go to different lil hole in the walls in the Valley and see him perform with Doug Sahm, Flaco, Stevie Ray, the Late great BW Stevenson, Steve Framhose, Joe Ely, Augie and many others....

Houstonist: Freddy Fender (1937-2006)

Don Mathis

Garab