A South Texas singer beloved by San Antonians now has a tune within the Library of Congress. Freddy Fender’s “Earlier than the Subsequent Tear Drop Falls” has been chosen to be included within the Nationwide Recording Registry, in accordance with a social media announcement from United States consultant Joaquin Castro.
Fender’s ballad was one among three works by Latino musical artists chosen for the distinction this 12 months. The others have been Lin Manuel-Miranda’s unique forged recording of Hamilton and Vicente Fernández’s “El Rey.”
Tex-Mex celebrity Fender wants no introduction to Alamo Metropolis audiences. Born Baldemar Huerta in San Benito, Texas, he turned the second Mexican-American to earn a number-one nation hit, following fellow Texan Johnny Rodriguez.
Becoming a member of locals Flaco Jiménez and Augie Meyers and San Antonio-born Doug Sahm, he was additionally part of the Tejano supergroup Texas Tornados. Their 1990 hit “(Hey Child) Que Paso?” nonetheless requires a singalong when it is performed at native bars.
Ranchero icon Fernández additionally has a tune on the San Antonio playlist, the 1972 showstopper “Volver Volver.” Though “El Rey” was initially composed by José Alfredo Jiménez, the tune turned synonymous with the late Mexican celebrity.
“Anybody who has heard mariachi music is aware of ‘El Rey’ is just like the staple mariachi tune,” stated Castro in his announcement.
Rounding off the preserved Latino Library of Congress recordings is Manuel-Miranda’s forged document of his blockbuster Hamilton. Since its debut in 2015, the musical has turn into a phenomenon, sweeping the Tony Awards and nabbing the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“Anybody who has been to Broadway previously 10 years will completely agree [it] ought to be on there,” stated the San Antonio Democrat.
Annually, Castro enlists the general public’s assist in nominating Latino artists for the Nationwide Recording Registry. The congressman famous that solely 5 % of inductees at the moment characterize the group. The three songs have been amongst 25 included within the 2025 registry.
“Sadly, as I’ve stated earlier than, the Latino story and Latino achievements have usually been omitted of the bigger American story,” Castro stated earlier than inviting constituents to participate within the course of subsequent 12 months.
