31. Freddy Fender

Born Baldemar Garza Huerta in Texas in 1937 to migrant labourers, he began playing music early in his childhood. He made his debut radio performance at the age of 10. By 1957, he became known as El Bebop Kid and focused on rockabilly music playing Spanish versions of Elvis Presley and Hank Williams songs (and becoming popular in his area). In 1958, he legally changed his name to Freddy Fender, thinking it would “sell better to Gringos”. While in Baton Rouge, Freddy was arrested for marijuana and spent almost three years in prison. Then Louisiana governor (and Country Music Hall Of Famer) Jimmie Davis pardoned him on the condition he stay away from music while on probation. After parole ended it took a while to get his career started again. In 1974, while working as a mechanic, he signed a recording contract with a small local label. The label head convinced him to go in a more country direction with touches of his Hispanic heritage. Against all odds, the first single he released turned into a number one country and pop hit. He then had a string of hits, sold millions, won awards and then his radio career faded a few years later. Later in his career he joined different bands and got two Grammy awards. Although he passed away in 2006, he was quoted in 2004 as saying he wanted to be the first Mexican-American singer inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. That goal is still attainable. Will it happen for him one day?