“Just let me sing!” These are the prophetic words of Freddy Fender, who rose from an impoverished background in south Texas to achieve international superstardom as a rock ‘n’ country singer during the 1970s. For the millions of fans worldwide who have loved Freddy, this book offers an in-depth exploration of Freddy’s personal and professional life: from his hardscrabble childhood to his raucous early years, leading to his explosion onto the world stage as a one-of-a-kind performer. The Life Story of Freddy Fender is the first of a two-volume publication which will tell the story of this singular entertainer. Written by Freddy’s daughter, Tammy Lorraine Huerta Fender, the book conveys in rich detail what Freddy went through to succeed. The book also reveals the painful truth behind that success, and how the misery of substance abuse tore both him and his family apart. Freddy’s journey to redemption forms the heart of this biography, as does his faith in a Higher Power. Frank, uncompromising, and bold, this book is the definitive work on the life and legacy of Freddy Fender, told as no other could tell.

Faith without obedience is dead. Prayer without action is wasted. What would your life look like if you stopped praying about God’s will and just did it instead? How would your church look if it spent as much time serving as it spent praying about serving? The truth is, sometimes when you think you’re praying, you’re really just procrastinating. And when you think you’re asking that God’s will be done, you’re really telling him no. In times that call for action, prayer can be disobedience in disguise. Wasted Prayer uncovers the ways we use prayer to dodge responsibility for the work God has assigned us. Complete with punch-in-the-gut biblical exposition that will help get you off your knees—and out of your chair—Wasted Prayer will provide you with the jolt you need to start living like a Christian, instead of just praying like one. It’s time to stop praying and start doing.

This book shares original poems, providing spiritual and inspirational messages in a rhythmic and rhyming style. The poems focus on values and intend to encourage you to pursue your goals, while helping you to identify and experience your life purpose.

During the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic, there seemed to be turmoil and chaos everywhere I looked. We were surrounded by illness, death, loss of jobs, business closures, political debacles, and just for fun, a couple of hurricanes and tornadoes. Life was quite chaotic. I began writing words of encouragement for myself, and soon began sharing them on my blog page. Each morning, I would settle in at my huge kitchen table or out on my back deck, and I prayed, “Give me a word, Lord.” Every day, God gave me a topical word, and from that, a devotional flowed from my keyboard. The words were truly God inspired. My sister and my husband challenged me to continue writing for 365 days, and I accepted the challenge. I thought I would run out of words, but oh no, not this wordy girl! God designed this old girl, and He gave me the gift of gab. Through daily Bible reading, research, and writing of these devotionals, I have grown closer in my walk with Christ, and my good, good God calmed the chaos in my heart day after day. I pray that you too will find solace in these words. May you find calm in the chaos of life.

Riddle me this: Fly into my web said the spider to the fly. There I will hypnotize, mesmerize, and suck you dry. Dont live with hate or call it fate or try to escape. Do not anguish and moan or beg and plead as you bleed. Dont try to barter and trade to make your day or be afraid just to lighten your load; let it flow and dont be sad, for now youre dead. Deaths are intertwined one with the other; the dead we see drop like fleas in windy fall, but ours, our own, are ruined worlds. A global collapse of the do-re-mi alas ends it all. Befall or fail us, we will prevail.

“Everybody has to start somewhere. Businessmen start on the ground floor and try to work their way up the corporate ladder. Baseball players bide their time in the minor leagues wishing for an opportunity to move up and play in the majors. Musical compositions aren’t very different—some songs just don’t climb the charts the first time they’re recorded. However, with perseverance, the ideal singer, the right chemistry, impeccable timing, vigorous promotion, and a little luck, these songs can become very famous.” So writes Bob Leszczak in the opening pages of Who Did It First? Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists. In this second volume in the Who Did It First?series, Leszczak explores the hidden history of the most famous, indeed legendary, pop songs and standards. As he points out, the version you purchased, swayed to, sang to, and grew up with is often not the first version recorded. Like wine and cheese, some tunes do get better with age, and behind each there is a story. Included are little-known facts and amusing anecdotes, often gathered through Leszczak’s vast archive of personal interviews with the singers and songwriters, record producers and label owners, who wrote, sang, recorded, and distributed either the original first cut or one of its classic covers. The second in a series of titles devoted to the story of great songs and their revival as great covers, Who Did It First?Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists is the perfect playlist builder. So whether quizzing friends at a party, answering a radio station contest, or just satisfying an insatiable curiosity to know who really did do it first, this work is a must-have.