Country, Tex-Mex Legend Freddy Fender Undergoes Successful Kidney Transplant Surgery.

Entertainment Editors & Music Writers

SAN ANTONIO--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2002

Freddy Fender, one of the most significant voices in Mexican American musical history, is in stable condition at San Antonio's University Hospital, recovering after undergoing kidney transplant surgery earlier today.

"The transplant was successful," said Director of Organ Transplantation at University Hospital, Dr. Glenn Halff. "He is expected to spend the next day-and-a-half in the intensive care unit then move a regular room on the transplant unit. Barring any unforeseen complications we expect Mr. Fender to make a complete recovery."

Freddy's daughter, Marla Huerta Garcia, 21, underwent laparoscopic surgery this morning to remove one of her kidneys in order to donate it to her father. Her surgery was also a success. Marla is in good condition and is expected to be released in a few days.

In lieu of flowers, Freddy is asking fans to donate blood to their local blood banks in order to help other transplant and trauma patients. In San Antonio, the blood bank at University Hospital has set-up a special blood account in Freddy's honor. The blood bank is located on the 3rd floor of University Hospital, 4502 Medical Drive.

At a pre-surgery press conference, Freddy emphasized the importance of organ donation and asked people to consider giving the "Gift of Life." The gift he received today from his daughter will always remain the most significant of his life. "She gave me life," said Freddy.

Born Baldemar G. Huerta on June 4, 1937 in the Mexican slums of San Benito, Texas, Fender's music took him on a "rags to riches" journey from the Rio Grande Valley. Overcoming career and cultural challenges, Fender's music has left a musical imprint on more than six decades.

Fender migrated north with his parents in the late `40's to work as a farm laborer in the upper Midwest. At 16, he dropped out of school to join the Marines. He began his music career in the `50's, while still in his teens, billing himself as "El Be Bop Kid." By '58, he was cutting sides in Spanish, and finding success throughout Texas and Mexico.

He switched styles to a more rockabilly feel, becoming Freddy Fender in '59 and breaking the wider "gringo" market. His major breakthrough to international audiences came in 1974 when his recording of "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" topped both country and pop charts. He followed it with a gold record for "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights" and another cross over smash "Since I Met You Baby." Between 1975 and 1977, he had nine songs in the top 10 on the country charts.

Fender is also credited with having written "Secret Love," which became a number one hit for Doris Day. Fender was named "Most Promising Male Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music in 1975. The Country Music Association named "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" as single of the year that same year.

The beloved performer moved to yet another level in his career when he was tapped by Robert Redford to co-star in the film "The Milagro Beanfield War." One year later, tapped fellow musicians Augie Meyers, Doug Sahn, and Flaco Jimenez to form the "dream band" of Tex-Mex music, The Texas Tornadoes, whose popularity moved Hispanic influenced music to worldwide attention and international audiences of the caliber of the Montreaux Jazz Festival, where Fender and his companions received more than a dozen standing ovations for their high-spirited ethnic influenced music.

While on the mend, Fender has yet another major career highlight to look forward to. It was announced this month that his newest CD project, "La Musica De Baldemar Huerta," was nominated as "Best Latin Pop Album Of The Year" at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards to be held February 27th in Los Angeles. Fender is making plans to attend the event.