Freddy Fender (June 4, 1937 ? October 14, 2006), born Baldemar Huerta in San Benito, Texas, USA, was a Mexican-American, Tejano, country, and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. He is best known for his 1975 hit "Before the Next Teardrop Falls".The Freddy Fender Museum and The Conjunto Music Museum opened Nov 17, 2007 in San Benito, Texas. They share a building with The San Benito Historical Museum. Early years As a child, Fender and his parents traveled throughout the United States as a circus act. At age 5, he turned a sardine can and screen door wire into a homemade guitar, and by age 10, had his first radio appearance on Harlingen's KGBS-AM radio station, where he sang "Let's Spend The Night Together" and reportedly won a tub of food worth $5. At the age of 16, Fender quit school and started a three year hitch in the United States Ma