Latest news with #JohnnyRodriguez
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Johnny Rodriguez, Chicano country star who sang 'Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico,' dies at 73
Johnny Rodriguez, Chicano country star who sang 'Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico,' dies at 73 Johnny Rodriguez, a trailblazing Mexican American country music star whose folksy storytelling propelled him to fame in the 1970s, has died, according to reports. He was 73. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, confirmed his May 9 death to the Washington Post and Associated Press, citing health complications, and revealing he was in hospice care. A specific cause of death was not released. Born just east of the Mexico border in Sabinal, Texas, Rodriguez became the first Mexican American artist to make a splash in the American country music scene. The second youngest of 10 children in a four-bedroom home, he gained local renown singing in church. By his later teenage years, he was playing country and Mexican music and covering Beatles hits in local bars. Infusing Spanish language and Latin influence into his music, his debut album "Introducing Johnny Rodriguez" was nominated for album of the year at the 1974 Academy of Country Music Awards. He had won most promising male vocalist the year prior. Here is every 2025 ACM Awards winner: Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley win big With popular tracks like "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico" and "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind," Rodriguez endeared himself to fans with slow but soaring vocals, nailing the genre's signature narrative constructions. In the style of John Denver or Merle Haggard, he laid out a story of the blues or of new love clearly, canonizing himself as a classic cowboy crooner. In 2007, Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2010 received the Institute of Hispanic Culture Pioneer Award, honoring his decades of country stardom. Discovered first behind bars, when his singing caught the ears of a well-connected local businessman, Rodriguez's brushes with the law did not end even as he reached peak success. In 1998, Rodriguez, back in his native San Marcos, shot and killed 28-year-old Israel Borrego. According to Uvalde County district attorney Tony Hackebeil, Rodriguez, who had been drinking, believed his acquaintance, Borrego, whose blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, to be a burglar. Fifteen months later, Rodriguez was acquitted of murder by a jury. Rodriguez's love life was also marked by tumult. He married Linda Patterson in 1976 — they divorced by 1979. Two decades later, in 1995, he married Willie Nelson's daughter, Lana. That marriage lasted seven months. In 1998, he married Debbie McNeely. McNeely gave birth to their daughter, Aubry Rae Rodriguez, in April of that year. By August 1998, McNeely and Rodriguez had parted ways. According to Texas Monthly reporting, the singer returned to the same San Marcos land where he was raised, but had torn down his original home to build a new one during his career's height. Contributing: Marcus K. Dowling, The Nashville Tennessean
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Johnny Rodriguez, pioneering Mexican American country music star, dies at 73
Johnny Rodriguez, a trailblazer in country music and the first major Mexican American artist in the genre, died on Friday at the age of 73. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, confirmed the news on social media, though no cause of death was disclosed. Rodriguez rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of chart-topping hits including 'Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico' and 'You Always Come Back (to Hurting Me).' He scored six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was known for his honky-tonk style, heavily influenced by legends like Merle Haggard and Lefty Frizzell. Born Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez in Sabinal, Texas, he began playing guitar at age 7 and suffered personal tragedies early in life, including the deaths of his father and brother. He was discovered while singing in a Texas jail and later invited to Nashville, where he joined Tom T. Hall's band before launching his solo career. In 1973, Rodriguez released his debut single, 'Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through),' followed by multiple chart-topping hits. He received the Billboard Trend Setter Award as the first Mexican American to break into mainstream country music and was nominated for CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and released over 35 albums across a four-decade career. He is survived by his wife, Debbie McNeely; daughter, Aubry; and sisters, Antonia and Eloisa. His influence on Chicano and Latino representation in country music remains profound, as he paved the way for future generations of Hispanic artists in the genre.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged impaired driver ignores flood warnings, runs off road into ditch in southeast GA
A Georgia sheriff's office says never to ignore the warning signs, because you might just end up in a ditch. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Recently, Candler County deputies said they had to rescue and take a driver to jail. Officials said the driver ignored flood warnings and ran off the road into a ditch. CCSO said the ditch was full of floodwater. TRENDING STORIES: Georgia AG announces Brookhaven woman convicted in $305K Medicaid fraud scheme First Mexican American country music star, Johnny Rodriguez, dies GA men among 205 alleged child sex abuse offenders arrested in nationwide crackdown After 911 was called, the sheriff's office said the driver was found to be impaired. The driver, whose age and identity were not released, was taken to jail. "Moral of the story? Pay attention to warnings, don't drive drunk, and use a little common sense. It'll save you a whole lot of trouble—and a tow bill‚" the sheriff's office said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Country music singer dies aged 73 after being admitted to hospice care as family pay tribute
Country music star Johnny Rodriguez has died aged 73, his family have announced. The Texas-born singer, who had a string of number one hits in the 1970s, passed away on Friday after being admitted to hospice care. His daughter Aubry wrote on social media: 'It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Johnny Rodriguez, who left us peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by family. 'Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him. 'While the world has lost an extraordinary talent, we have lost someone irreplaceable - and we ask for privacy as we navigate this painful moment together.' The country music pioneer had a glittering career that included six number one hits and 20 top 10s in his heyday, which was between 1973 and 1978. His most memorable hits included Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico, That's the way Love Goes and You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me). He was honoured by presidents George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush during his lifetime. The singer is credited with helping to define the genre of country music and was even was even inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Rodriguez was also known for being one of the first Hispanic country music stars, with his use of Spanish lyrics and sounds giving him a unique sound. The star was born in Texas in 1951 and was captain of the football team and an altar boy during his younger years. However, tragedy struck when his father died from cancer when he was just 16 years old, before his brother passed away the following year in a car crash. According to The Sun, he spent time in jail and his singing was noticed by famous Texas ranger Joaquin Jackson, who recognised the talent and told his music promoter pal"Happy" Shahan. He then got to perform at the Almo Village where Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare noticed his voice in 1971, telling him he should move to Nashville. He did just that aged 21 years old and signed a record deal with Mercury less than a year later. From there, his career skyrocketed with a string of number ones and in 1979 he signed to Epic Records and worked with well-known music producer Billy Sherrill. His last top ten singles were in 1983 - Foolin' and How Could I Love Her So Much. However, the music came to a halt for a while in 1998 when he shot and killed a man in his home who he had mistaken for a burglar, before being acquitted on all charges by a jury. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he continued to tour and record new material and released his first live album in 2012. Fans of Rodriguez have rushed to social media to pay tribute, writing: 'RIP to another Texas legend. 'Johnny Rodriguez passed away today. With his smooth voice, heartfelt lyrics, and fearless blending of country and Latin influences, Johnny helped shape the sound of a generation. His songs were timeless and his impact undeniable. Rest easy, Johnny.' 'RIP Johnny Rodriguez… another country great is gone.' Fans of Rodriguez have rushed to social media to pay tribute, writing: 'RIP to another Texas legend 'Years ago I opened up for Johnny Rodriguez at California State University of Bakersfield he will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers for his family and loved ones may he rest in peace.' 'I got the privilege of meeting Johnny Rodriguez last year when I went to visit my daughter in Nashville. Nice gentleman. RIP Johnny.' 'RIP Johnny Rodriguez. Great singer!' 'I'm so damn bummed hearing about Johnny Rodriguez passing. 'Him and Freddy Fender were trailblazers in the country music scene and did a lot of real good stuff over the years and the Latin influences were only part of the voice of these two. Tonight we're blasting Rodriguez.'
Mint
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Musician Johnny Rodriguez passes away
Los Angeles [US], May 12 (ANI): Veteran country music star Johnny Rodriguez is no more. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Johnny, best known for the tracks 'That's the Way Love Goes' and 'Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico', breathed his last on May 9 at the age of 73. The news of his demise was announced by his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, on social media last weekend. "Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him," she wrote in an Instagram post. "We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans, colleagues and friends during this time of grief." She also requested privacy as her family "navigates this painful moment." "While the world has lost an extraordinary talent, we have lost someone irreplaceable -- and we ask for privacy as we navigate this painful moment together," Aubry concluded. Rodriguez was one of the first Hispanic country music stars, finding success at the beginning of his career after moving to Nashville at 21 and signing a deal with Mercury Records. His first single with the label, 1972's "Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)," reached No. 9 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. His first No. 1 hit on the country charts arrived in 1973 with his track "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me," with his song "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico" also reaching No. 1 later that year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Rodriguez's debut album, Introducing Johnny Rodriguez, became a No. 1 album on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in 1973. That same year, he received the most promising vocalist honor at the Academy of Country Music Awards and was nominated for single record of the year for "Pass Me By." (ANI)
