‘Hey Baby, Que Paso?’ with the Freddy Fender Tower: San Benito Landmark Undergoing Major Repairs

SAN BENITO, Texas — “Hey Baby, Que Paso?” may be one of his most beloved hits as a member of the Texas Tornados, but today fans driving through San Benito are asking a different question as the iconic Freddy Fender Water Tower undergoes a highly anticipated restoration.

In an update shared by the estate of Freddy Fender, construction began in January 2026 on improvements to the beloved landmark. According to the estate, the project includes structural repairs, interior and exterior coating, and aesthetic enhancements such as refreshed paint and updated logo elements.

The tower, one of the most recognizable sights for motorists traveling along the interstate through and to San Benito, currently does not display the iconic Freddy Fender mural that has long greeted visitors to the hometown of the music legend. A recent photo shared by Tejano Nation Radio affiliate Super Tejano 102.1 in the Rio Grande Valley shows the tower without its familiar artwork.

However, fans can rest assured.

“The water tower art work will remain,” the estate emphasized, noting that discussions between the City of San Benito and the Freddy Fender Estate began in 2024 regarding multiple preservation projects. Among the proposals: the rehabilitation of the water tower and the construction of a pergola at Fender’s memorial and gravesite.

The estate added that completion of the water tower improvements aligns with future planned events to be announced in the coming months. The restoration also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the water tower’s original dedication.

“On the 20th anniversary of the water tower’s dedication, we are honored to know that this city structure is not just an attraction but a reminder of the legacy of an iconic artist in country music,” the estate shared, thanking fans for their continued support and vocal concern.

That legacy continues to grow.

Born Baldemar Huerta, Freddy Fender became a trailblazer for Latino artists across pop, country, Tejano, blues, and rock. In 1975, his crossover smash “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” topped both the country and pop charts — a historic bilingual achievement that helped cement his place in American music history. The song was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in April, recognizing it as one of the nation’s most culturally significant recordings.

This year also marks another milestone. In honor of the 50th anniversary of his celebrated 1975 album, Are You Ready for Freddy, the Freddy Fender Estate and MCA (Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville) announced the project will make its long-awaited worldwide streaming debut on December 12, 2025. The newly remastered edition will be available globally on digital platforms for the first time.

Throughout his storied career, Fender earned three GRAMMY Awards, an RIAA Gold certification, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an ACM Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist — becoming the first Mexican-American artist to achieve crossover success on the blues, country, and rock charts.

In 2024, the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum further celebrated his impact with a special exhibition curated by archivist, historian, and singer Veronique Medrano, developed in collaboration with Fender’s estate. Medrano has also launched a campaign advocating for Fender’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

As restoration continues, the Freddy Fender Water Tower remains more than steel and paint — it stands as a towering tribute to a voice that changed the sound of American music.

And soon enough, the mural that welcomes fans home to San Benito will once again shine proudly above the Texas skyline.

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