Originally from the valley, traveling musician David Hecht has water down to his roots, since he first met this island. Hecht grew up in the Harlingen area before leaving for Wisconsin, where his father took a new job.
Though he left for high school and college, the family kept in touch with the island, eventually purchasing a second home on South Padre Island.
The condo is still in their possession, and Hecht continues to come for sandy memories, good times, and good music.
His gig on the island started about ten years ago at Laguna Bob's. Since then, Hecht heads down during the fall, specifically for the locals. "I like it this time here because it's just us locals, you know," said Hecht.
There's a special place for Winter Texans in his heart. "It'd be better if I came down in February, but we rent out for Winter Texans."
His musical journey started movie-like when he stumbled upon an old Mexican nylon stringed guitar that belonged to his mother.
"Both of my parents grew up in Mexico," said Hecht. "They're of German descent but grew up in Mexico. They got out of Germany during World War II when Hitler came to power."
Luckily for Hecht, both sides of the family left and ended up in Latin America. "Like so many other Jewish families, the United States would not allow Jews to come into the United States, but people don't know that."
Eventually, Hecht's mother tended to his musical abilities, and it's been history ever since. A self-taught guitarist and vocalist, Hecht found himself in his first record deal while in a band called Java.
"We started touring around the country, and I was with that band for another eight years, which was a great education."
Hecht performs a variety of music when he's on the island. From old classics like R&B, old rock and roll, as well as, Latin tunes and some reggae.
Hecht also enjoys spending time in Peru and looks forward to his next stay on South Padre Island.
