b'the second Grammy for Fender, though none as a solo artist, at least to that point in his five-decade career.That all changed with Freddy Fenders final album, ending his storied life as a musician exactly where it all began. La Musica de BlademarHuerta was a collection of Mexican love ballads, or boleros, plus re-re-leases of Before the Next Teardrop Falls and Secret Love. In 2002, Freddy Fender took home his first Grammy as a solo artist, winning in the category Best Latin Pop Album, telling Billboard Magazine, I really feel great. Ive been going to the Grammys off and on since the 70s and been wanting to win one since then. I was nominated in 75, but Captain & Tennille won Record of the Year for Love Will Keep Us Together. And in 76, I was up again, but Stevie Wonder took it. I won the awards with the Tornados and Super Seven, but this is my first individual win, and that really makes me feel real nice and warm.It was at that time that Freddy Fender was in the middle of the fight for his own life, recovering from transplant surgery of a kidney donated by his youngest daughter, Maria. Two years later, in 2004, he underwent a liver transplant, but went back on stage as soon as he was physically able, play-ing his final concert in Los Angeles, California, on New Years Eve 2005. Fender developed lung cancer in early 2006, and on October 14th, the beautiful sound and soul of Baldemar Huerta left this world all-too soon, at age 69. He was laid to rest with full military honors in San Benito, where the Feddy Fender Museum opened a year later.People from all over the world were telling stories. I was thinking, I didntOn a Mission of Recognition: Veronique Medrano, a singer-songwriter from San Benito, Freddy Fenders know all of this. When did this happen? Tammy Huerta said of her fathershometown where Conjunto music was born, is on a years-long mission to win Fenders induction into the funeral. He belonged to you. I learned that. He loved the people. Country Music Hall of Fame. She has traveled to Nashville on multiple occasions to lobby for the honor.TheCoastalBend.com THECOASTALBENDMAGAZINE97'