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The power of Pepe!

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Pepe Aguilar made his way back to Bakersfield on Saturday, Aug. 30, where crowds of his biggest fan welcomed him with open arms.

This ranchera heartthrob of Mexican descent is the son of two other famed individuals — the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre.

As a teen, Pepe tried his musical luck with a short-lived rock band. But he later returned to his family’s ranchera roots and was put into his father’s concerts, eventually branching out on his own.

Pepe names The Who, Ignacio and Pink Floyd as some of his early musical influences, though the way he sings ranchera music does not seem to follow that list of other genre greats.

However, his success as a solo artist has been incredible. In 2002, Pepe became the first Mexican regional music singer to perform at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. He was also the first Hispanic to sing at LA’s Kodak Theater.

By all accounts, Pepe Aguilar will always be welcomed here in Kern County as well.