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At the age of 16, Fender quit school and started a 3 year hitch in the US Marines. He returned to Texas and played bars and honky-tonks throughout the south, but mostly to Latino audiences. In 1957, Fender 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.
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 2 year jail term, Fender ended up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he would spend the next 5 years.
By the end of the 1960's, Fender was back in Texas working as a mechanic, and attending a local junior college, while only playing music on the weekends.
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.
In the 1990s, Fender teamed up with fellow Tex-Mex musicians Doug Sahm , Flaco Jimenez and Augie Myers to form the Texas Tornadoes , who's work was universally acclaimed. Following the death of Sahm, the production of the Tornadoes slowed.
Most recently, Freddy Fender has signed a contract with a major label, and continues to sing, play and tour from his base in Texas.
His honors include:
Member - Tejano Music Hall of Fame (1987)
Member - European Walk of Fame - Rotterdam, Holland (1993)
Hollywood Walk of Fame - Star dedicated in 1999
Texas Music Hall Of Fame - 1999
Louisiana Hall Of Fame
Nashville Sidewalk of Stars - 1999
Country Music Hall Of Fame - 1999
Inaugural Balls - Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr.
Freddy Fender Lane - 1994 in his hometown of San Benito, Texas
HomeFest - An annual festival in San Benito in Freddy Fender's honor
Grammy Award "Best Mexican/American Performance" - Texas Tornados (1990)
Grammy Award "Best Latin Pop" - La Musica de Baldemar Huerta (2002)
Grammy Award "Best Mexican/American Performance" - Los Super Seven (1999)
Grammy Nominations: in 1975, 1976, and 1997
Academy of Country Music (1975) - "Most Promising Male Vocalist"
Country Music Association (1975) "Single of the Year" for Before The Next Teardrop Falls