Hollister’s 11-year-old singing sensation now has a day to call his own.
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez at Monday’s council meeting declared the city will have a day in Joe Fata’s honor June 5.
“My kids wanted to play an instrument after hearing Joe and I know a lot of other kids have the same dream,” said Velazquez, whose children go to school with Fata.
Councilwoman Mickie Luna congratulated Fata, along with his longstanding family members in Hollister.
“I did vote for you, too, and I did send it out to a lot of people,” Luna said.
Fata spoke after being honored. He thanked his mariachi academy, teachers and family members for his musical experiences.
“It’s really big for me being able to be a part of that,” he said. “I have no words to explain how I feel.”
Fata auditioned for Telemundo’s “La Voz Kids” in April and advanced on the show. The winner of the program took home a recording contract and a $50,000 cash prize to support his or her education.
Fata, 11, participated in the auditions in Florida. Two of the three judges at the time invited him to continue on the show under their coaching and on their teams.
Fata sang entirely in Spanish, a language he first started learning after he enrolled at the Hollister Dual Language Academy.
