When I was about seven or eight, my favorite singer in the whole world was Freddy Fender. I had one of his albums on cassette (To put the time frame in perspective, this was so long ago it was before the clear plastic or black and clear plastic clamshell cases caught on. The tape was in a solid blue plastic one piece case.), and I wore the damn thing out.

Anyway, I was on a flight with my dad (and my sister, I think) to god knows where, and Freddy Freaking Fender was on the same plane. My dad took me up to meet him.

The details of the exchange are hazy to me, and all I really remember is a feeling of awe. To a little kid, it was like meeting the friendly genetic amalgam of Jesus and The Hulk.

Honestly, I haven't kept up with his career in recent years, but It really doesn't matter. All I need to know is that he was really nice to a little kid that liked him. Thanks, Freddy.