Video – Freddy Fender – Before the Next Teardrop Falls

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fQpOZGMct4

Thanks to Deb for sending this too me – another video from when I played with Freddy Fender (I’m the keyboardist on the right). Before The Next Teardrop Falls is often unwittingly called “Before The LAST Teardrop Falls” and Freddy Fender is often spelled as “Freddie Fender”, as they are in this video title. My best guess is this video is from Laughlin, Nevada sometime between 2003-2004, probably 2004.

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Freddy Fender – Laughlin Nevada Video Clip 2004

httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=DiMuAXCPbgo

New video of Freddy Fender posted on YouTube. I think this might have been around 2004 in Laughlin, Nevada. Freddy does band introductions and an intro song. You’ll notice he calls me “El Blanco”, or “The White”. In the video I’m playing synth and Augie Meyers is playing piano.

SHOW RECORDED LIVE IN LAUGHLIN,NEVADA CHRIS JURADO ON BASS,RHYS CLARK ON DRUMS,VERN MONNETT ON STEEL,MARK TATE ON LEAD AND CONRAD ASKLAND ON KEYBOARDS (AUGIE MEYERS ON PIANO BUT NOT SEEN)

Zaia Opening Night and Pool Party

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Opening night (soft opening) and monstrously fun party for Cirque Du Soleil’s ZAIA at the Venetian July 26, 2008.

Our first public show went very smooth – no apparent tech glitches or problems – and we had an incredibly enthusiastic audience – so we’re all very happy. Here little snippets of my opening night and the great party afterwards for my friends back home.

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The Zaia Bunch

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The Zaia Bunch – This is a photo of the artists, crew and support staff for Cirque Du Soleil’s production ZAIA at the Sands Venetian, Macau (SAR) China. I think this was taken in May 2008. I’m on the left hand side in the green shirt (thank you to Rachael for making the scary faces and hands behind me…hehe)

And just for the archives, here’s a full resolution photo you can click on if interested:

zaia-crew-0508.jpg

Hac Sa Beach – Coloane Island (SAR) China

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If you visit Macau be sure to check out Hac Sa Beach on Coloane. It’s a favorite with locals and tourists. Not quite as nice Huntington Beach, CA but it sure is relaxing. Many of my friends live on Coloane Island and have great views with daily access to Hac Sa. I went there the other day when work was getting stressful and it really did the trick. Also check out the famous institution of Fernando’s Restaurant – great Portuguese food right off the beach.

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What’s it like to work at Cirque?

Received this email today asking me what it’s like to work for Cirque Du Soleil.

Hi Mr. Askland,
I am curious to know how it is to work at Cirque? What are the hours you work as a musician? How long do you have to prepare for an audition after they choose you to be part of the show?

Please let me know.
Best regards
Daniel

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Freddy Fender and Conrad Askland at Grand Ol Opry

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q6g1_3lgK4

Hey, video of me playing at the Grand Ol Opry in Nashville! “Freddy Fender and Conrad in Nashville” – Ok, more like Freddy and a couple seconds of me that nobody knows. This just got posted on YouTube. Performance of Freddy Fender at the Grand Ol Opry (I think around 2001 – don’t remember). I DO remember we had to wear suit jackets for the performance and be clean shaven – I look like a dork in the video, oh well.

This was Freddy’s last appearance at the Opry, the first appearance in over twenty years. We performed “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”. Thanks to Chris Jurado for posting this.

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