A Tribute to 70s Country Music Star, Johnny Rodriguez

In today's episode Michael will be talking about the life and two songs of Johnny Rodriguez, a 70s country music icon. Johnny recently passed away and this is a tribute to one the genres most interesting artist. The songs that will be discussed are "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" and "Just Get Up and Close the Door". So grab your Texas-sized 10 gallon cowboy hat and come along for the ride!

Michael's web-site: 2ndRoundMusic.com

Link to hear Michael perform these two great songs:

https://youtu.be/zzpGM7mjvso

Transcript

Episode #3: The Life and Music of Johnny Rodriguez

Welcome back, music lovers, to another episode of the Two for Tuesday Podcast. Where we go behind the music and give you the untold stories.
I’m your host, Michael Pezent of 2nd Round Music, and today we’re diving deep into the life, legacy, and artistry of one of country music’s most compelling figures—Johnny Rodriguez. So you may be asking ‘why Johnny Rodriguez’. Well for several reasons. First, not only because he’s a very compelling artist. But also he just recently passed away back on May 9th of this year. Which if you remember from last week was also the 36th anniversary of the passing of country music legend, Keith Whitley. And lastly, he is a favorite artist of mine. Now I know Johnny didn't have a long and lustrous career, or sold multi-Platinum albums, but in the 70s, this guy was as good as any in country music. So, we'll explore his rise to stardom, the trials he faced along the way, and, of course, the stories behind two of his most iconic songs: "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" and "Just Get Up and Close the Door." So grab your cowboy hat, settle in, and let’s get started.
 
[Brief pause with soft guitar music in the background]

**Host:** Johnny Rodriguez was born Juan Raul Davis Rodriguez on December 10, 1951, in Sabinal, Texas—a small town about 90 miles west of San Antonio. He was the second youngest of ten children in a family of modest means. Growing up in a bilingual household, Johnny was exposed to both traditional Mexican music and American country music. This fusion of cultural influences would later become a defining element of his sound.

Johnny was an A/B student, captain of his Junior High School Football team, a high school letterman and an altar boy at church.But life wasn’t always easy for Johnny. After losing his father to cancer and his older brother to an automobile accident when he was just a teenager, he found himself struggling to stay on the right path. At one point, he even spent time in jail for a minor offense—reportedly for stealing a goat to barbecue with friends. But as fate would have it, this low point became a pivotal moment in his life. While in jail, Johnny would often sing to pass the time. His voice caught the attention of Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson, who was so impressed that he connected Johnny with some influential people in the music business. He would be hired at a local tourist attraction called the Alamo Village in 1971, Johnny would get his big break when he was discovered by country music legend Tom T. Hall. Hall invited Johnny to Nashville and helped him land a record deal with Mercury Records. The story goes that Johnny got off the plane with nothing else but his guitar and $14 in his pocket. At just 21 years old, Johnny became one of the first major Hispanic stars in country music history. His debut single release in October of 1972, (and one of my favorites) "Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)," was an instant hit, climbing to number 9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. In 1972 Johnny was voted Most Promising Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. In ‘73 he released “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me)”. A song that he co-wrote with Tom T. Hall and it became his first number 1 hit. That same year he followed it up with a song that he wrote and another number 1 hit with “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico”.  He kept the #1 hit streak going with his next release. A song that was written and recorded by Lefty Frizzell, “That’s the Way Love Goes”. If that title sounds familiar, then you probably recognize it as a #1 hit for Merle Haggard. Story is, Lefty pitched the song to both Johnny and Merle at the same time at an unspecified hotel room. Johnny recorded and released the song in ‘73 but Merle held onto it until 1983. Johnny had one more streak of three back-to-back-to-back hits later on in 1975. More on that later.

What set Johnny apart was not just his smooth baritone voice but also his ability to seamlessly blend English and Spanish lyrics into his songs. This bilingual approach resonated with a wide audience and helped pave the way for greater diversity in country music.

Now let’s take a brief pause for a message, We’ll come back and talk about two of Johnny’s most popular and two of my favorite Johnny Rodriguez songs

[Soft instrumental version of "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" playing]

**Host:** Now let’s talk about one of Johnny’s most beloved songs, "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind." Released in January of 1975 as part of his album Song About Ladies and Love, this track became an instant classic and started another streak of #1 hits. Written by Larry Gatlin—a fellow country artist and songwriter—the song tells the story of heartbreak and longing, themes that Johnny delivered with raw emotion and authenticity.

The production of the song featured lush instrumentation typical of '70s country music, with gentle acoustic guitars, steel guitar flourishes, and a steady rhythm section. But what truly made the song stand out was Johnny’s heartfelt delivery. His ability to convey vulnerability made listeners feel every word as if they were living the story themselves.

It’s worth noting that during this period, Johnny was at the height of his career. Between 1973 and 1978, he scored an impressive 15 consecutive Top 10 hits, cementing his status as one of country music’s brightest stars.

[Background music transitions to "Just Get Up and Close the Door"]

**Host:** Another standout hit from Johnny’s career is "Just Get Up and Close the Door." Released in April of 1975, this song became Johnny’s fifth number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Written by Linda Hargrove—a talented songwriter who also penned many hits including co-writing with Dean Dillion, Tennessee Whiskey (a #2 hit for G. Jones and a #1 hit for Chris Stapleton)—the song is a sultry yet tender plea for intimacy without limits. 

The lyrics are simple but effective: "This time instead of gettin’ up and going home to him/Just get up and close the door." It’s a song about seizing the moment and shutting out the world to focus on love—a theme that resonated deeply with fans.

What’s fascinating about this track is how it highlights Johnny’s versatility as an artist. While many of his songs leaned heavily on themes of heartbreak or nostalgia, "Just Get Up and Close the Door" showcased a more hopeless romantic and a sensual side of his artistry. The song’s success further solidified Johnny’s reputation as a dynamic performer capable of bringing depth to any material.

[Brief pause with reflective music]

**Host:** Despite his incredible success in the '70s, Johnny’s life was not without its challenges. By the late '80s and early '90s, his career began to wane as new trends in country music emerged. Personal struggles like drug addiction also took their toll. In August of 1998, tragedy struck when Johnny was involved in a highly publicized shooting incident at his home in Texas. He claimed self-defense in the death of an acquaintance who had entered his home uninvited and thought to be a burglar. Although he was acquitted of murder charges, the incident left a lasting mark on his life and career.

In recent years, however, Johnny has worked to rebuild his legacy. He continues to perform for dedicated fans who appreciate his contributions to country music history. His story is one of resilience—a testament to the power of music to overcome adversity.

[Background music swells with a mix of "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" and "Just Get Up and Close the Door"]

**Host:** So what can we take away from Johnny Rodriguez's journey? For one, he broke barriers as one of the first Hispanic artists to achieve mainstream success in country music. His unique blend of cultural influences helped shape a more inclusive genre, inspiring countless artists who followed in his footsteps.

And then there are his songs—timeless pieces that continue to resonate with listeners decades later. Whether it’s the aching vulnerability of "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" or the tender romance of "Just Get Up and Close the Door," Johnny’s music reminds us of the universal emotions that connect us all.

[Outro music begins playing]

**Host:** That’s all for today’s episode of the Two for Tuesday Podcast.  Thank you for joining me on this journey through the life and legacy of Johnny Rodriguez. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe or follow and leave us a review! And as always, we love you and we need you and keep listening to the stories behind the songs you love.

Until next time, I’m Michael Pezent of 2nd Round Music, signing off. Stay safe, God bless  and keep those tunes playing.

[Outro Music Fades Out]