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Friday, July 30, 2010

Ranchera legend holds on to humility

By Aurelio Sanchez
Journal Staff Writer
          If James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, then Vicente Fernandez is the Padrino of Ranchera.

Vicente Fernandez     Edith Marquez opens     WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1     WHERE: Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion, 5601 University SE     HOW MUCH: Reserved tickets $131.50, $95.50 and $65.50 with a limited number of gold-circle tickets at $181. Lawn tickets $45.50. For tickets and information, visit www.livenation.com. Tickets also available at all Ticketmaster outlets; to charge by phone, call 800-745-3000

    And if Brown's signature hit is "I Got You (I Feel Good)," then Fernandez's anthem is "Volver, Volver," a song written by Fernando Z. Maldonado. The song about forgiveness in a relationship has become a fixture at Hispanic weddings, homes and happenings.
        But that's where the comparisons with the Godfather of Soul end. While James Brown was enjoying decades of popularity and media glory, Fernandez toiled mostly in obscurity, his career 10 years in before he scored his monster hit with "Volver, Volver" in 1976.
        Now the Padrino of Ranchera will perform Sunday, Aug. 1, at the Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion.
        Fernandez has produced more than 50 albums over 40 years and still plays to sold-out crowds.
        Born in Huentitan el alto, Jalisco, Mexico, Fernandez grew up on his father's ranch on the outskirts of Guadalajara, where he worked in various jobs and went to the movies to see Pedro Infante, saying he planned to imitate Infante someday.
        Fernandez, meanwhile, kept his musical aspirations hot despite a general lack of success. He got his big break in 1966 when CBS Mexico, now Sony Discos, called on him to replace Javier Solis, one of Mexico's most popular traditional singers, who had died. Fernandez's career took off.
        Known for his signature sombreros, big black mustache and glittering mariachi outfits, Fernandez used his wide-ranging voice to become a cultural sensation with Hispanics on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and all over the world.
        Remembering Pedro Infante, Fernandez has starred in more than 25 films spanning three decades, making him one of the most recognizable Mexican performing icons ever.
        Fernandez has gone on to amass a number of awards, including receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, being named Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy in 2002.
        Still, Fernandez has remained humble and grateful for his fans, often telling them from the stage, "Mientras ustedes aplaudan yo les seguire cantando" ("As long as you keep applauding, I'll keep singing").