Ricky Martinez co-founder and lead singer for The Hometown
Boys passed away around 11:50p.m. July 12, 2007
Rest in Peace.
The Hometown Boys, from Lubbock Texas, have
been around for many years. Originally known as El Grupo Internacional
de Ricky y Joe Martinez consisted of the entire Martinez family.
Roman Martinez, Sr., father, and Maria Dolores Martinez, mother
, had been members of the Madrugadores del Valle, a very popular
conjunto in tho 50's. Five boys and one girl later, El Grupo
Internacional was born that consisted of sons-Roman Jr., Ricky,
Bobby, Joe, Jesse, daughter-Rosalinda, and father-Roman Sr..
The original Grupo Internacional had two styles of music, for
both older and younger generations. One style was the original
conjunto style with drums, bass guitar, accordion, and bajo sexto.
The other style was with drums, bass guitar, keyboard, and electric
guitar. Everyone who attended one of the group's dances, got
a taste of both types of music. It was like getting two groups
in one. Their first recording, "Mi Ranchito" was an
8-track tape recorded in Amarillo, Texas. This is the only recording
that has both styles featured. The group played along side some
great musicians. The group changed their style to conjunto only
after daughter and keyboard player, Rosalinda, left the group
after getting married. A little ways down the road, Bobby, the
original bass player , also left the group when he moved to Dallas,
Texas to begin his career in photography. This is when the actual
Hometown Boys were born. The group then consisted of Ricky, bass
guitar, and first voice, Jesse, drums, Joe,accordion, and second
voice, Roman Sr., bajo sexto, and Roman Jr., sound engineer.
The Hometown Boys have had a very basic style of music that
appeals to all generations. September, 1996, marked a first in
the history of West Texas. The Hometown Boys were the first Hispanics
to be inducted into the "Buddy Holly Walk of Fame" in
Lubbock, Texas, alongside Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings
and other Texas legends. The Grammy award winners have been known
for songs like, "Mire Amigo", which went gold in its
first 4 days of release, "Dos Gatos", "El Poder
De Una Mujer", "Hombre Innocente", "Dos Cosas", "Vestida
De Blanco", "El Pintor", and many more great songs.
Lets not forget to mention "Joe's Specials". "Joe's
Special # 10" received the Best Instrumental Award at the
1997 Tejano Music Awards. The fans have been an inspiration to
the group's dedication.
Back in October, 1997 The Hometown Boys had their first loss.
Roman, Jr., percussions, and sound engineer, after a lengthy
illness, passed away at the age of 45. This was such a tremendous
loss. Joe, accordion player, wound up having a heart attack shortly
after Roman Jr.'s funeral. After a triple bypass, Joe seemed
to be on the road to recovery. A couple of months later, in January,
1998, he went to see The Hometown Boys perform and was invited
up on stage to play his beloved accordion. Joe was known as the "Accordion
Abuser" because he put all his energy into playing the accordion
that sometimes he wound up breaking the instrument from playing
so hard. After being on stage for a while, Joe suffered heart
complications and at the tender age of 34, passed away while
he was doing what he loved to do. Joe was a remarkably talented
musician. The loss was devastating. Two brothers passed away
within a three month period. However, The Hometown Boys continued
their quest to perform for their fans. A few years later in August,
2002, just as The Hometown Boys were to go on stage in Lubbock,
Texas, Jesse, The drummer and baby of the family, suffered an
aneurysm and passed away also at the young age of 34. The family
has been in mourning for many years now. Last year, Ricky, the
primary vocalist and leader of the group, suffered some ill health.
Everyone was praying for his recovery. Thanks to all those prayers,
Ricky bounced back, with his voice as sweet as ever.
The group has gone through many changes. Roman Sr., continues
to be the root of the group. He has endured much and continues
to carry The Hometown Boy flag. The Martinez family has reunited.
Bobby came back and plays the bass guitar, and brings his business
background, and helps manage the group, so Ricky can concentrate
on singing. Rosalinda came back as a background vocalist. Ricky
is the main vocalist. Stevan Martinez, cousin, has taken the
role of accordionist, Marky Lee Riojas was singing in Ricky's
absence and has continued as second vocalist. Sammy Robles, Marky
Lee's son, has taken on the role of drummer. Through all the
struggles that The Hometown Boys have had to endure, they continue
to play for their beloved fans. The "Homies" as they
are frequently referred, want to thank everyone who has supported
the group for so many years.
