As Josh Messersmith and his band Valastas forcefully played the intro to Ritchie Valens’s smash hit “La Bamba”, Jorge glanced up at him in awe.  Josh was Jorge’s hero, and for that reason Jorge had spent all his money on a ticket just to see Josh play. Jorge’s dream was to become a guitarist. However, every time he asked his parents for a guitar, his parents would always say no, because they didn’t have the financial means. His father worked as a plumber, while his mother taught at a Fresno, California high school.

“Para bailar la bamba,
Para bailar la bamba,”

            The opening lyrics were sung. Josh pranced around the stage, his head held high; during which the shine and gleam of Josh’s candy red Telecaster caught Jorge’s attention. How he wished he could own one. If only, if only, he thought.

            It was so beautiful, and the stage lights seemed to capture every curve and every wonderful nuance of the guitar.

“Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba, se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa mi pa ti
Arriba, arriba”

Those lyrics meant, “In order to dance bamba, one must need a little grace. A little bit of grace.” So true, thought Jorge. Jorge and his friends often did the bamba afuera. His amigos often made fun of him for being so graceful, but Jorge secretly was pleased. He would always win their dance-offs, making his friends immensely jealous.

The concert itself was magical. Josh’s guitar work captivated Jorge. He thought Josh could rule the world with his guitar. By playing with such speed and precision, something Jorge had never seen. Before he knew it, the band did their encore, and it was time to go back home.

Wait a minute, Jorge thought. If I spent all my money to see Valastas, shouldn’t I try and get autographs from the band? He decided to stay and wait. 25 minutes passed, and Jorge had the 5,000 seats to himself. It was time to go backstage and see if he could meet them.