Fast forward to 2005, the year Arvizu met Ry Cooder. She sang three tracks on his 2005 record "Chavez Ravine," and Cooder encouraged Arvizu to start writing her own songs.

"Friend for Life" is the result of Arvizu’s songwriting. Ry Cooder produced the CD for her, and it’s just been released.

Listen carefully to the song Arvizu wrote called "Windows of Dreams." It’s a song about boxing. Ersi Arvizu knows a lot about the sport — her dad was a trainer. When her singing days with El Chicano ended, Ersi even helped her dad train an 8 year-old Oscar de la Hoya. So how did she learn so much about jabs and upper cuts? Well, Ersi boxed as well.

Singing, and songwriting, however are another story — they’ve given Ersi Arvizu a chance to process and revisit formative moments in her life.

Global Hit is a regular feature on PRI’s "The World," highlighting global music. "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston. More "The World."