'We have lost someone irreplaceable:' Country star Johnny Rodriguez dead at 73

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Johnny Rodriguez, the award-winning Tejano artist and legendary country music star, has died at 73.

His daughter Aubry Rodriguez announced the singer’s death Friday in a heartfelt post on social media .

Now, his friends, family and fans are grieving his passing, recalling how he impacted “millions around the world” through his music.

“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,” wrote Aubry Rodriguez, who is also a musician.

“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.”

Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez was born in December 1951 in Sabinal, Texas, about an hour west of San Antonio. The first Latino to break into country music in the early 70s, Rodriguez' raw music talent was first recognized when he was 18 years old and sitting in a Texas jail for an unpaid fine .

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Rodriguez, whose voice echoed from his cell, drew the notice of Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson. Impressed, Jackson presented Rodriguez to music promoter Happy Shahan. With Shahan’s assistance, Rodriguez began his musical journey with performances booked at "Alamo Village," a popular spot for tourists located in Bracketville, Texas.

Over there, he grabbed the notice of numerous legendary artists, like Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare At 21 years old, Rodriguez relocated to Nashville with the aim of becoming a professional musician and managed to secure a record deal accordingly. Mercury Records .

Following acclaim and acknowledgment from Billboard, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and multiple U.S. presidents, Rodriguez was welcomed into the Hall of Fame. Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

“We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans, colleagues, and friends during this time of grief,” Aubry Rodriguez wrote in her social media update. “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.”

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