NAME: Robert Abud
BORN: October 23, 1988
FROM: New Jersey

I've been Gloria's fan since I was about 3 or 4, if not earlier. There are home videos of me, not yet walking, dancing to Oye Mi Canto on the couch. I realized who Gloria was and what she was all about when I was about 3 or 4 when Mi Tierra came out. I listened to that album day and night, especially at my grandparents house, as it reminded them of Cuba. I don't think I would understand the pride that comes with being Cuban as much as I do had it not have been for Gloria's influence in my life. I frankly cannot remember my life where Gloria was not a substantial part of it. Gloria's music has been a huge influence on me, all around, as I'm' sure it's been to most of the Conga members. I've been to the Today show 3 times, met her in 2000 for Alma Caribeña and again in '03 for Unwrapped. I went to the One Night Only show in Mohegan Sun, and the Live and Re-Wrapped show in NY and both Miami shows.

I recently had the privilege of seeing gloria in NYC for her 90 Millas promo, along with so many other members of conga. and although i'm a newer member than most (I joined in 2000) , i can't wait to get to know some of gloria's biggest and most dedicated fans. At the XM event I was shocked to see how well she knows her fans, which speaks volumes not only for the type of person Gloria is, but also for the types of family Conga is. It was so fun being able to go to GMA and the XM concert this year, and hopefully there'll be more things like that for future albums! I can't fully express how much 90 Millas means to me, as a Cuban, and how much Gloria continues to teach me through her music about my roots.

In 2003, I went to the Today Show for Unwrapped. luckily. or unluckily, I weasled my way through the crowd and got Gloria to sign my Unwrapped CD. They showed us on TV together, and it so happened my teachers were watching the Today show that day.... so I was busted! They totally understood though, I'd been telling them about Gloria since I got to that school when I was six!