50 things you should know about Alejandro Fernandez

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Oct-Nov, 2004 by Albert Sgambati, Jorge Ferraez

Alejandro Fernandez is perhaps the first name in Mexican music for the present generation. This hard-working, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling crooner has just released his third collection of ballads, A Corazon Abierto (his second album of pop ballads, Me Estoy Enamorando, sold over three million copies).

Credited for bringing about resurgence in the popularity of the Mexican "ranchera" music, Fernandez once again crosses over into the realm of the romantic ballad, where he's considered by many to be in a class of his own.

Added to the laurels of his already stellar career was his leading role in this year's release of Alfonso Arau's major motion picture, Zapata, in which Fernandez played Mexico's best-loved revolutionary hero, Emiliano Zapata.

Recently Latino Leaders had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Fernandez Aside from speaking to us about his most recent work, Alejandro gave us a few insights into his life and career, so if you thought you already knew everything there is to know about him, here are 50 more things that we think you should know:

1. Alejandro Fernandez was born in Mexico City on April 24, 1971, although his birth is registered in Guadalajara, the birthplace of mariachi music.

2. In 2004 he was chosen as one of the World's Most Beautiful People by the Spanish version of People magazine.

3. Fernandez's first major performance was at age five in front of an audience of 10,000, which included many luminaries in the music business.

4. During that appearance, Alejandro broke down in tears due to a musical miscue and was quickly assisted by his father, the legendary Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez, and from that day on his father would remain his biggest mentor and supporter. The memory of that incident is still cherished by Alejandro and remains fresh amongst his fans.

5. Once he reached success as a singer, Alejandro decided to cut his professional ties with his father Vicente and produce his own music.

6. The breakup was a tough decision for Alejandro, and it deeply disappointed Vicente, creating a lot of tension between father and son. Later on, the two made amends. To this day, Vicente remains one of the strongest influences in Alejandro's life and career.

7. Alejandro has sold more than 20 million records worldwide.

8. He has been tapped no less than eight times for theme songs for Mexican "Telenovelas" (soap operas).

9. Fernandez is affectionately called "El Potrillo de Mexico" (The Mexican Maverick), because of his deep personal sentiment and appreciation of the Mexican song's character.

10. In 1996 Alejandro recorded a CD with a number of famous artists, including Gloria Estefan, with whom he sang "Puedes Llegar," the official theme song of the Atlanta Olympic Games.

11. He was featured in the film, Picardia Mexicana, when he was only six. It was his first paid performance

12. In December 1998 Alejandro performed alongside Placido Domingo and Patricia Kaas at a Christmas concert in Vienna, interpreting the songs of world famous composers

13. In April of this year Billboard Latino awarded Fernandez with "El Premio De La Estrella" for his musical achievements and contributions over the span of his careen

14. Earlier this year, the State of Nevada declared September 15 as the official Alejandro Fernandez Day.

15. Fernandez's crossover hit of 1995, "Come Quien Pierde Una Estrella," given airplay on a wide variety of music stations, became a ranchera youth anthem for a generation.

16. Alejandro completely sold out Mexico City's Auditorio National for 12 dates within a three-week period.

17. His first collaboration with his father Vicente is the recording production that honors Mexican music, "Mexico, Voz Y Sentimiento".

18. The following year, on the project's second edition, Alejandro was invited to sing solo.

19. Following the success of his second single, "El Andariego," Fernandez abandoned his architectural studies to pursue a career in music.

20. The son of two of Mexico's greatest names in popular music, Vicente Fernandez and Maria del Refugio Abarca, Alejandro grew up in a tight-knit family with traditional values.

21. He was awarded the "Lo Nuestro" prize in 1994 and '95 for Best Male Artist in the Mexican Regional Music category.

22. When he isn't working, Alejandro enjoys spending time with his five children, and when his busy schedule permits it, his preferred vacation is a seaside destination.

23. After recording his first album (1991), he went on the road for a successful tour of the US and Mexico. This set the stage for the 1993 concert where Alejandro and his father wowed the sold-out crowd at Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes.

24. Continuing his much sought after live performances, Fernandez went on to stage a critically acclaimed season of shows at the Blanquita Theater in Mexico City.

25. Fernandez's third album, Grandes Exitos A La Manera De Alejandro Fernandez, the first recording that he was entirely responsible for, had the distinction of resurrecting Mexican regional music among young audiences