In the past several months Jose has had some remarkable experiences. All so different, yet amazing during this special time in life.
In December, Jose Feliciano was honored with the first-ever Billboard Legend Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards celebration in Miami. The category was created to honor Jose and, going forward, those who are "bigger than life" and have "withstood the test of time." He commented simply, "Jeez, what can I say? I'm trying to wrap my head around this moment. I guess I should simply smile and say, 'thank you!' because I am very grateful"
A few weeks ahead of schedule and while touring California, Jose became a Grandpa with twin sons born to his daughter, Melissa,"Niña" (you remember the Capitol/EMI Grammy-winning album of 1990?). He was beyond words but has had lots to say since then! "Indescribable" is his most common refrain these days!
On Christmas Day, Jose was invited to perform for the Dolphins/Packers Halftime at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami. Not being at home was a bit heart-wrenching with his brand new grand babies in Connecticut but confirmed that, "Next year, I'll be able to start telling them all about Santa Claus and Baby Jesus, plus a little song we hear a lot during that time of year. It'll be great!"
Already booked to play a string of dates in the Pacific North West, California and Hawaii during March, Jose was prevented from personally receiving the National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House. The National Endowment of the Arts awards its highest measure of achievement, presented by the United States government, to individuals or groups who "...are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States." "Again, I'm at a loss for words to express my thanks, this time to the National Endowment, to the President and everyone who've supported me throughout my life. God bless you all."
Less than a week following the babies' baptism in Connecticut, which was another extremely touching moment for Jose, he was invited to join headlining artist, Bad Bunny, as his surprise guest artist at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, undeniably one of the biggest and most important annual events today on Earth. There, on the main stage before over well 100,000 people in attendance, Jose says, "It was amazing. My favorite part though was the momentary technical-thing where I realized I just had to wing-it! It was otherworldly. And the crowd? They were spectacular."
Back home for a few weeks and no longer the coastal pingpong-ball, flying from 'sea to shining sea,' Jose is finally enjoying being with his family. But today, April 27th he's also recalling another otherworldly experience from 1969 when NBC presented him in his first television musical program aptly entitled, "Feliciano! Very Special" where he entertained a viewing public from, literally, coast-to-coast. "Hey, it's all very special to me. All such completely different experiences, it's really incredible to think about it. But I'm also looking forward to what's next!!" That's exactly Jose Feliciano for you in a nutshell!
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