Biography
The Hometown Boys earned acclaim as one of the standout Tejano and conjunto ensembles of their generation. What began as a family project eventually grew into one of the Southwest’s most successful conjunto outfits, even after repeated personal tragedies. Rooted in Lubbock, Texas, the group’s history reaches back to the 1950s, when bajo-sexto specialist Roman Martinez, Sr., wed his bandmate Maria Dolores from the local favorite Madrugadores del Valle. As their six children displayed musical talent, the couple joined forces with them to create el Grupo Internacional de Ricky y Joe Martinez. The ensemble moved fluidly between traditional acoustic sounds and electrified arrangements tailored to different crowds, gradually shaping a signature style of conjunto. By 1990, after several siblings departed, the remaining members reorganized as the Hometown Boys, with Roman Martinez, Sr. on bajo sexto, Ricky Martinez handling bass and lead vocals, Joe Martinez on accordion and backing vocals, Jesse Martinez on drums, and Roman Martinez, Jr. managing percussion and live sound. Within a year the band secured a contract with EMI Music, releasing its debut album, El Poder de una Mujer, in 1991. Five well-received EMI releases later, the group moved to Fonovisa; its first project for the label, 1995’s Luces de Nueva York, was followed by Mire Amigo, which attained gold status within a week of issue and confirmed the Hometown Boys’ stature among leading conjunto acts. In 1996 they became the first Hispanic ensemble inducted into the Lubbock Music Walk of Fame, and the following year “Joe’s Special 10” received the Best Instrumental honor at the 1997 Tejano Music Awards. Tragedy struck in 1997 when Roman Martinez, Jr. died suddenly at age 45. Joe Martinez suffered a fatal heart attack shortly afterward and passed away in January 1998 at 34. Jesse Martinez succumbed to an aneurysm in 2002, also at 34. Matriarch Maria Dolores Martinez died in 2007 after a prolonged illness, and Ricky Martinez passed the same year following his own health struggles. Roman Martinez, Sr. nevertheless sustained the band by enlisting additional relatives and sympathetic musicians. Fans across Texas continued to champion the group, bestowing the affectionate nickname “the Homies.” The 2017 roster featured Elias Aredondo on lead vocals, Rosalinda Martinez and Marky Lee Riojas on backing vocals, Anthony Trevinio on accordion, Bobby Martinez on bass, Ruben Rodriguez on drums, and Roman Martinez, Sr. still on bajo sexto. Maintaining their customary pace of performances and recordings, the Hometown Boys issued the live concert set Un Grito! Live, Vol. 1 that year.
Albums
Singles
