International Latin singer-songwriter and actor Pedro Fernandez performed a sold-out show at the Forum in Inglewood, CA for his 40th-anniversary tour.
Since he first stepped foot in the game in 1978, Fernandez has never shied away from his Mexican roots, always performing with a mariachi band that introduces him right before he comes on stage. The mariachi band itself is composed of nine men who play trumpets and violins with plenty of enthusiasm and passion, which set the tone for the night.
After the mariachi band played, Fernandez walked down the stairs dressed in a Charro with a Sarape around his back, wearing a giant sombrero. In his outfit standing there on stage commanding the attention of the crowd, Fernandez almost resembled a superhero there to save the day.
Fernandez sang many of his classic hits such as "El Aventurero" in which he sings about liking women who are different shapes, color and sizes — a huge hit with the ladies. But Fernandez's style varies from fun, dance songs to melancholic songs such as "Dicen que los hombres no deben llorar," in which he croons about breaking up with a girl and he doesn’t care whether she leaves him or not. This song had many people shine their cell phones lights and wave them side-to-side as they shed some tears. Another sad song was ‘Solo Tu’, a relationship song in which Fernandez sings “no matter what the distance is, I can’t wait to feel your lips once again. Only you know how I feel, the way I smile and even the way I cry .... only u know the true me.”
Fernandez made sure to thank his fans for being alongside him even after 40 years in the music business. While on stage, Fernandez said he appreciates, loves and adores his fans to the fullest. At 49 years of age, Fernandez is no way retiring. His presence and music attract people from all over the world, making him unforgettable.
It all started back in 2009, my brothers and I decided to move back to South Central, Los Angeles from the Inland Empire. Both my brothers attended music and film school in Hollywood. At the time I was working construction in Las Vegas for nearly one year, but I always knew I had a passion for photography, but didn’t know what or where to start shooting.
As soon as I finished working in Las Vegas, I saved up enough money to buy a Canon camera. A friend of mine who was a night club promoter at the time asked me to be a roaming photographer at his venue. I had little to no experience shooting anything or anyone, but I felt confident and plus I was a people person, so I knew both of those qualities would help me succeed in being a photographer. I was a club photographer for almost a year until I started meeting people and networking. Then eventually I met a club photographer who owned his own business shooting venues all over Southern California.
For the next five years, I was shooting many nightclubs in LA, OC, IE and the Valley, eventually booking my own gigs. I even shot at the RIO in Las Vegas on the weekends when I worked out there for three months. Additionally, I booked a local night club working Tuesday nights as a roaming photographer for almost three years. At the same time, I was shooting Tuesday nights at a radio station working for rapper Dub-C. So after working at the radio station, I would leave to shoot at the club at night…
But I always felt like I needed to do more and take it to the next level. I felt like I couldn’t possibly shoot night clubs forever. I eventually linked up with my brother who had been writing for Music Connection. And thus, I began shooting local concerts all over Los Angeles and nearby counties. I felt like this was my calling. Not only do I like shooting musicians I listen to, but occasionally, I get to meet them and network with people in the business as well. I love doing what I do, but I do not put all my eggs in one basket.
Aside from shooting clubs and concerts, I have organized photo shoots with models. I have shot many events including birthday parties, weddings, Quinceaneras and more. I feel as a photographer, I cannot stick to just one preference. I feel like I have to do it all and “NO” can’t be the answer. I believe my path may be difficult, but eventually, it will pay off.
