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Olivia, as I mentioned yesterday, I first saw Antonio Aguilar, Flor Silvestre, Pepito and his brother Tonito at the Kern County Fairgrounds.  Of course at that time, Antonio Aguilar was my favorite and I liked the way he performed with his trained horses.

Prior to this, I never knew of Pepito and Tonito and I was really impressed by Tonito, who was older than Pepito, and also mastered the horses, like his dad.

I later provided backstage security to a performance in Fresno where the Aguilar family again performed along with another upcoming star, Gloria Montiel, who opened for Antonio.  I shook Antonio and Flor's hand as they walked by and after their performance knew that Tonito and Pepito would someday be stars themselves.  I remember Pepito getting on a set of drums on stage and "kicking butt" with those drums.  The crowd went crazy.

I actually grew up with Antonio Aguilar since my mother, "Cuca", who will be 91 on July 4th, used to take us to see Antonio Aguilar's "peliculas".. "Gabino Barrera", "Caballo prieto azabache" and "Lucio Vázquez".  She was always singing Antonio's songs around the house when making homemade tortillas.  She was actually very good.......Her singing and the tortillas.

In 1982, I drove my mother, who is from Guadalajara, to her "tierra".  We went by way of San Antonio where we visited the Alamo and made it a point to stop in Zacatecas, Antonio's birthplace.  My mother used to tells us stories of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre and how Antonio was born in Zacatecas.  I never saw anything so beautiful as the land itself with it's red rolling hills.  Of course, we were not able to find Antonio's ranch but I was honored to stop at his town and I can still picture it in my mind.

Well, Pepito cut his name short as he grew up to Pepe and I learned that his name was really "Jose Aguilar" and was born in San Antonio, Texas.  I wasn't too impressed with Pepe's involvement as a drummer with Rock Music nor with his Conga Music but in 1998 when "Por Mujeres Como Tu" came out, I really loved that song and the lyrics.  It was different, it wasn't anything like what Antonio Aguilar sings.  I asked, "Is that Pepito Aguilar?"

Pepe then came out with "Por Una Mujer Bonita" which was also a great song and after that he became a great singer, his style being different than his dad's but he still goes back to his roots and sings Maricahi Music which is my favorite.

After that I purchased his CD's and I would sing the lyrics along with Pepe as my mother used to sing Antonio's songs.  I know, I know.....people would tell me, "Don't give up your day job!" so I didn't but I still enjoy his music.  A little warning....don't ever ask me to sing anything!!

It was a couple of years ago that he performed at The Palace Gaming Center near Lemoore.  I was one of the first to buy tickets.  He had a great performance in his Mariachi outfits and the Mariachi's that accompanied him were great.  He sang all his great songs and of course I got away with taking video of his performance, until security "tried" to make me stop shooting video.  Well....they tried.

What else can I tell you, I know that Antonio and Flor are proud of Pepito and he will be remembered as well as his dad is remembered by his singing and his peliculas.  It would nice if my mother wasn't so far up in San Jose, CA that I could take her to see Pepito's concert.  From my experience, Pepe Aguilar's concerts are always packed and his performance in Bakersfield will overflow with his fans who adore his music.