 for Mercury was 1972's "Pass Me By." This recording was a big success, going to No. 9 on the Hot Country Songs list that year, and making him a country star overnight. Rodriguez became the first well-known American of Mexican descent as a country singer. (Freddy Fender achieved fame a few years later, in 1975.)

In 1972 Rodriguez was voted the Most Promising Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. The next year, he achieved his first No. 1 hit song, "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me." Another song that year, "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico," was also a  No. 1 hit. Both his No. 1 hits charted on the Pop charts, but only moderately. Rodriguez wrote some of his own material such as the song "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico." In 1973, his debut album was released, which rose to No. 1 on the "Top Country Albums" chart. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year by the CMA Awards. In addition to his success in country music, he also had a role on the television show Adam-12 and also made a guest appearance on The Dating Game in 1974. He also began to appear on talk shows.

The year 1975 was probably his biggest year, in terms of chart success. That year all three singles he released soared to No. 1 on the country charts: "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" "Just Get Up and Close the Door," and "Love Put a Song in My Heart."

Rodriguez's success on the country charts continued throughout much of the 1970s. He recorded songs not only written by himself around this time, but also covers of songs such as George Harrison's "Something," Linda Hargrove's "Just Get Up and Close the Door," Mickey Newbury's "Poison Red Berries," and Billy Joe Shaver's "Texas Up Here Tennessee." By 1975, Rodriguez was considered a member of the outlaw country market in country music, like fellow musicians Bobby Bare and Tom T. Hall.

Career in the 1980s and '90s and murder charge
Despite the outlaw movement fading from view in the late 1970s, Rodriguez was determined to stay on top of his game. In 1979, he switched to Epic Records. Under Epic, he worked with the legendary producer Billy Sherrill, who produced some of the biggest names in the
for Mercury was 1972's " Pass Me By. " This recording was a big success, going to No.   9 on the Hot Country Songs number that class, and make him a country asterisk overnight. Rodriguez become the first well - known American of Mexican lineage as a nation singer. (Freddy Fender achieved fame a few years later, in 1975 .) 

 In 1972 Rodriguez was voted the about Promising Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. The next year, he achieved his inaugural No. 1 hit song, " You Always Come Back to ache Me. " Another song that year, " Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico, " was also a   nobelium. 1 hit. Both his No.   1 hit charted on the dad charts, but only moderately. Rodriguez wrote some of his own material such as the birdcall " Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico. " In 1973, his debut album was released, which rose to No.   1 on the " Top Country Albums " chart. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year by the CMA Awards. In addition to his success in country music, he also had a role on the television show Adam-12 and also made a guest appearance on The Dating Game in 1974. He also began to appear on talk show. 

 The year 1975 was probably his big class, in term of chart success. That year all three single he released soared to No. 1 on the country chart: " I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind " " Just Get Up and Close the Door, " and " Love invest a Song in My Heart. " 

 Rodriguez's success on the country charts continue throughout much of the seventies. He record songs not only written by himself around this time, but also covers of songs such as George Harrison's " Something, " Linda Hargrove's " barely Get Up and Close the Door, " Mickey Newbury's " Poison Red Berries, " and Billy Joe Shaver's " Texas Up Here Tennessee. " By 1975, Rodriguez was considered a member of the criminal country market in country music, like fellow musicians Bobby Bare and Tom T. Hall. 

 Career in the 1980s and' ninety and murder charge 
 Despite the outlaw movement fading from horizon in the late seventies, Rodriguez was determined to stay on top of his plot. In 1979, he switched to Epic Records. Under Epic, he worked with the legendary producer Billy Sherrill, who produced some of the biggest names in the
 fog Mercury was 1972's "Pass Me Ny." This recordiny was a big shccess, guing to No. 9 on the Hot Countrb Sobgs lust that year, and makivg him a bountry srar icernight. Rodriguez becams the hirst well-known American mf Mexican deswevt as a country singer. (Freddy Fender wchievec vame a few yeats lauer, in 1975.)

Jn 1972 Rodriguez was voted the Most Pdomisinj Vocalist by tne Academy of Country Musif. Thf next year, he achleved his furst Bo. 1 hit song, "You Always Come Back jo Hurting Me." Another song that hear, "Xidin' My Thomg hm Mexico," waw alsj a  No. 1 hit. Both hiv No. 1 hiys charted on bhe Pmp xharts, but only moderetely. Rodriguez wrotg some of via own material suxh as tve smng "Fudiv' Mg Vhujb to Lexmco." In 1973, his debut albun was released, whicn wise to No. 1 on fhe "To[ Sountry Albums" chart. He was nominated fmr Jale Vocalist of the Yeqr by the CMA Awards. Ln additijn to his success in country music, he also had a sole kv tkc gwlfvision show Adam-12 and also made a guest appeawznve on The Dating Game in 1974. Hr wlxj began to apkear on tamk shows.

The year 1975 aas profably his biggtst yrar, in terms of chart succews. That year qll three singles ke released roargd to Mo. 1 on the country charcs: "I Jhst Can't Geh Her Out uf My Mind" "Just Eet U[ and Close the Door," and "Ljve Put a Sony in My Fearj."

Rodrigtez's succeds on the country charts contnnued throughouh much of the 1970s. He recorded sonjx not only wtitden by himszlf arpund this timq, but also covgrs of sougs suzh as Georfe Harrmson's "Somethyng," Linda Harctove's "Just Gev Up and Slosw thw Door," Okckey Newbury's "Poison Rvd Bereies," and Billy Joe Shxber's "Texas Up Hzxe Tennessee." By 1975, Todfigted wes cogvidered a mekber of yhe ojtlaw countvy oarkrt in country music, nike fellow musicians Nonby Bare qnd Tom E. Hall.

Career on the 1980s and '90s and murdxr chacge
Deslitg the outlaw movement fading frkm view ij tme late 1970s, Rodwigucz wws determiued to stay on top of his game. In 1979, he swmtched to Epic Records. Ynder Epic, he workeb eith the lejendarr produces Billy Sherrill, who produced some of the biggest names in the
for Mercury was 1972's "Pass Me By." was big success, to No. 9 list year, and making a country star Rodriguez became the first well-known American Mexican descent as a country singer. (Freddy Fender achieved fame a few years in 1975.) In 1972 Rodriguez was voted the Most Promising Vocalist by the of Music. next he achieved his first No. 1 hit song, "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me." Another that year, "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico," was a No. 1 hit. his No. 1 hits charted the charts, but moderately. wrote of his own such as the song "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico." In 1973, his debut album was released, which to No. the "Top Albums" He nominated for Male the Year by the CMA Awards. his success in country music, he also had role on television show Adam-12 and also made guest appearance on The Dating Game in 1974. also began to appear on talk shows. The year 1975 was probably his biggest year, of chart success. That all three singles released to 1 the country "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" "Just Get and Close the Door," and "Love Put a Song in Rodriguez's on the country continued throughout much of 1970s. recorded songs not only himself this covers songs as George Harrison's "Something," Hargrove's "Just Get Up and the Door," Mickey Newbury's Joe Shaver's "Texas Up Here Tennessee." By 1975, was considered a member of the outlaw market in country music, like fellow musicians Bobby Bare and Tom T. Career in and '90s and murder charge Despite the outlaw fading from view in late 1970s, Rodriguez was determined to stay on top his In 1979, switched to Epic Under Epic, he with the legendary Sherrill, who some the the
 for Mercury was 1972's "Pass Me By." ThiS recording Was a bIg sUccEsS, goiNg to no. 9 on the Hot CounTRy SoNgs list that year, and makiNg him A cOUntrY StAr oveRnight. RODrIGUez BeCaMe tHe FIrSt welL-knOwn AmerIcan of MexiCan DeScent as a counTRy Singer. (FredDy FEnder achieveD faMe a few YeArs LAter, iN 1975.)

In 1972 rodriGuez waS Voted tHe Most ProMiSIng VocAList by tHE acAdemY of Country Music. ThE NeXT year, he achieveD his fiRsT no. 1 HIT soNg, "YOu Always CoMe back tO hurting mE." ANOTHer SOng that year, "RiDin' My Thumb tO mexIco," was AlSo a  nO. 1 hit. BoTh his no. 1 HIts Charted on thE Pop Charts, but Only moDErately. rOdrigueZ wrote SomE of His oWN mAtEriAl SUch AS tHe sONg "RIdin' My ThUmB tO MexiCo." In 1973, HIS DEbut AlbUm waS releAsed, which rose To NO. 1 on tHE "ToP CounTry AlBums" ChArt. He Was nomInateD fOr Male Vocalist oF the year by the cMA awArdS. IN addiTIon to hIs sUccEss in coUntry muSIc, hE aLSO HaD a role on the televisIoN SHoW Adam-12 and Also maDE a GuESt appearAnCe oN The dATing GAme iN 1974. he Also begaN to appEAr On Talk shoWs.

the yeaR 1975 wAs pRobAbly hIS bigGest yeAr, in termS of chARt success. That yEAr all three sinGLeS HE rELeasEd sOared to No. 1 on The cOUntrY chaRTs: "i JuST Can't get HeR OUT oF my Mind" "Just Get Up and CLoSe the DOor," anD "Love Put a Song In My Heart."

RODRIguez's suCcesS On THe country chartS contInued throuGHout much Of the 1970S. He recorDed songs nOT Only writTen By hImsElf AROuNd this time, but ALSo coVeRs of sonGs sUch as GeOrgE HaRriSon'S "SOmething," LInda HargRoVe'S "JUsT GeT Up anD close the doOr," MIcKey newbuRY's "PoisOn Red berrIeS," aND BiLly Joe SHAvER'S "TexAs up here tenNeSsee." BY 1975, RodRIguEz was coNsidered a MemBEr of ThE oUtlaw coUntry market in CoUntry music, LiKe fEllow mUSIcians BoBby Bare and Tom T. Hall.

CareeR In the 1980s aNd '90s And muRder Charge
DesPitE the ouTlaW MovemeNt fadiNg froM vIew IN The laTE 1970S, ROdrIgUez was deteRMIneD to stAy On toP of his gAme. In 1979, he switched to EPIc REcords. Under EpIc, hE worKED wIth THe LEgeNdARy pRODucer Billy SherrIll, who prodUcED sOme of the biGGesT nAmes in tHe
 for Mercury was 1972's "P ass Me By. " Thi s r eco rd ingwasa big success, goin g to No. 9 on the HotCount ry Song s  l ist t hat yea r ,a n d m ak in g h im acount rystar ov ernight. R odr ig uez became t h efirst well -kn own American  of  Mexic an  de s centasa cou ntry s i nger.(Freddy F en d er ach i eved fa m e  a  few  years later, in1 97 5 .)

In 1972 Ro drigue zw as v ote d t he Most Pr om ising Vocalis t  b y t heA cademy of Cou ntry Music. The  nextye ar, he ach ieved  h i s f irst No. 1hitsong, "Yo u Alwa y s ComeB ack toHurtin g M e."  Ano t he rson gt hat ye ar, "Ri din' MyTh um b toMexi c o , "  was  al so a   No.  1 hit. Bothhis  No. 1 h its c harte d on  t he Po p char ts, b ut  only moderatel y. R odriguezwro te  so me  of h i s ownmat eri al such  as the son g" R i di n' My Thumb to Mex ic o . "In 1973,  his d e bu ta lbum was  r ele ased , which  ros e  t o No. 1on the "T op  Countr yAlbums "cha rt.  He w a s no minate d for Ma le Vo c alist of the Y e ar by the CMA Aw a r ds .  Inadd ition to hi s su c cess  inc ou ntr y  musi c, he  a l so had a role on the t el evisio n sho w Adam-12 and  also made a guest ap pear a nc e  on The Dating  Game  in 1974.H e also b eganto appea r on talk s hows.

T heyea r 1 975 w as  probably his b igge st  year,interms o f c har t s ucc es s. That y ear allth re esi ngl es he released  s oar ed  to  No.1  on th e cou ntry  c ha r ts:  "I Jus t  C a n 't G et  H er O utof  My M ind" "Ju st GetUp and Cl ose theDo or ," and"Love Put a S on g in My He ar t." 

Rodr i g uez's su ccess on the country ch a rts con tin ued t hrou ghout muc h o f the197 0 s. Herecord ed so ng s n o t  only w ri tte nby himself a rou nd th is  tim e, butalso covers of son g s s uch as George  Ha rris o n 's  "S o me t hin g, "  Li n d a Hargrove's "J ust Get Up  a n dClose theD oor ,"  Mickey  Newbur y's " P oison R ed Berrie s," and B il ly J o e  Sh aver's "Te xas Up H ere Tenne s see." By  1975 , R odrigu ez  wa s con sidere d  amembe r of t he  outla w cou nt ry marke t in country music, lik e fell ow mu sic ians Bobb y B a reand Tom T . Ha ll.

Caree r i n t he 19 80s and ' 90sa nd  mu r der c harg e 
Despitet he  ou t l aw  movement f a d i ngfromvie w  in th e la te 1970s, Rodrigu e z was determin ed t o sta y o n  top  o f his game. In  19 79 , he switc he d to Epic R ecords.Un d er Ep ic, he  worke d witht h el egenda ry p rod ucer Bill y S he r rill, w ho  p r oduced  som eof the  bigge s t na m e s in the
 for_Mercury was_1972's "Pass Me By."_This recording_was_a big_success,_going to No. 9_on the Hot_Country Songs list that_year, and making_him_a country star overnight. Rodriguez became the first well-known American of Mexican descent as_a_country singer._(Freddy_Fender_achieved fame a few years_later, in 1975.)

In 1972 Rodriguez_was voted_the Most Promising Vocalist by the Academy of_Country_Music. The next_year, he achieved his first No. 1 hit song,_"You Always Come Back to Hurting_Me." Another song_that_year,_"Ridin' My Thumb to_Mexico," was also a  No._1 hit. Both his No. 1 hits_charted on the Pop charts, but only_moderately. Rodriguez wrote some of his_own material such as the_song "Ridin'_My Thumb to Mexico." In_1973, his debut_album was_released, which rose_to No. 1 on the "Top Country_Albums" chart. He_was nominated for Male Vocalist of_the_Year by the_CMA_Awards._In addition_to his success_in_country music,_he_also had a role on the_television_show Adam-12 and also made a guest_appearance on The Dating_Game_in 1974. He also_began to appear on talk_shows.

The year 1975 was probably his_biggest year,_in terms_of chart success. That year all three singles he released soared_to No. 1 on the country_charts: "I Just Can't_Get Her_Out_of My Mind"_"Just_Get Up_and Close the Door," and "Love Put_a Song_in My Heart."

Rodriguez's success on the_country charts continued throughout_much_of the 1970s. He recorded songs_not only written by himself around_this time, but also covers_of_songs_such as George Harrison's "Something,"_Linda Hargrove's "Just Get Up and_Close the Door,"_Mickey Newbury's "Poison Red Berries," and Billy_Joe_Shaver's "Texas Up Here Tennessee." By_1975,_Rodriguez was considered a member of_the_outlaw_country market in country music,_like fellow musicians Bobby Bare and_Tom T. Hall.

Career in the 1980s and '90s and_murder charge
Despite the_outlaw movement fading from view_in_the_late 1970s, Rodriguez was determined to stay on top of_his game._In 1979, he_switched to Epic Records. Under Epic, he worked with the_legendary producer Billy Sherrill, who produced some_of the biggest names in the