Johnny Rodriguez, a trailblazing Mexican American ... In a now-expired post to his Instagram stories, country star George Strait paid tribute to Rodriguez, writing: "He was an inspiration to ...

Rodriguez's impact on country music was significant as one of the genre's earliest Hispanic stars. The Saving Country Music website paid tribute, saying: "Johnny Rodriguez helped define country ...

Born Juan Rodriguez in Sabinal, Texas, in 1951, Rodriguez was discovered at 18 by music promoter Happy Shahan after he was heard singing in a jail cell, where he was briefly held for a minor offense, ...

Johnny Rodriguez, well-known for hit songs such as Ridin' My Thumb ... and we ask for privacy as we navigate this painful moment together." Fans shared their tributes to Johnny in the comments. "Oh ...

The website paid tribute, saying: "Johnny Rodriguez helped define country music as much as anyone in the decade, and continued to mint hit songs well into the 80s." More from Deadline ...