Kathy Gomez is getting ready to hit the stage this weekend.
This year, she will be performing at the Kern County Fair, singing a medley of songs by the Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla.
"I love music so much and Selena has had a huge impact on me, music-wise. I just want to be able to pay tribute to her in a way that shows what she left for us which is her legacy of music," Gomez.
But this show goes beyond getting her name out to the public and showcasing her talent.
"It's going to pay tribute not only to Selena but to my mom's love of music as well."
Gomez's mom is also a singer. She said her mother introduced her to the late Tejano superstar at an early age.
"She loves Selena and every time I sing Selena, she kind of lights up," said Gomez.
In 2010, Gomez's mom, Alma Rosa, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
"We knew it was serious because the doctors were real rushy about it and said, 'We have to get her into this specialist and we have to get her to the cancer center.'"
Over the past five years, her mom has been in and out of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries.
In April, Gomez said doctors finally gave her a two-month break from treatment.
Early this month, Gomez's mom received bad news after a check-up.
"They told us that her tumor markers doubled and that the cancer had come back and it spread to her lungs and they found some nodules in her lungs," she said.
Gomez was close to cancelling her Selena tribute, but she knew she couldn't because music is the only thing that keeps her mom's spirit alive.
"She knows that she has to start chemo Monday morning and she's going to be sitting there in the front row and she's going to be cheering me on and I'm going to be telling her though music that she can get through anything," said Gomez.
Kathy Gomez will be performing at the Kern County Fair's Lane State on Sunday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. The show is free.
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