The Hometown Boys, from Lubbock Texas, have been around for many years. Originally known as El Grupo Internacional de Ricky y Joe Martinez, it 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 and it 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. 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 changed their style to conjunto after daughter and keyboard player, Rosalinda, left the group after getting married. Later, it was Bobby, the original bass player, who also left the group and moved to Dallas to begin his career in photography. It was at that time that the current The Hometown Boys were born. The group was comprised of: Ricky, bass guitar, and first voice; Jesse, drums; Joe,accordion, and second voice; Roman Sr., bajo sexto; and Roman Jr., sound engineer.
On September, 1996, they marked a first in the history of West Texas, as 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 winner group is known for songs like, “Mire Amigo”, which went gold in its first four days of release, “Dos Gatos”, “El Poder De Una Mujer”, “Hombre Inocente”, “Dos Cosas”, “Vestida De Blanco”, “El Pintor”, and many more great songs. ”Joe’s Special 10″ received the Best Instrumental Award at the 1997 Tejano Music Awards.
Today, Roman Martinez Sr. continues to be the foundation of the group, Bobby plays the bass guitar, and Rosalinda sings background vocals. Their newest members continue to bring great musical backgrounds to the group. At lead vocals: Elias Aredondo, who has a great history of music behind him, and is related to Los Huracanes Del Norte. On accordion: Anthony Trevinio, former leader of the well known Grupo Invicto. On drums: Ruben Rodriguez, who also comes from a long line of musicians.