Chronicle: Singer/songwriter Johnny Rodriguez passed May 9. He was 73. Born outside of San Antonio, Rodriguez arrived in Nashville at the age of 21 and became a member of Tom T. Hall's band. Within a year, he had signed with Mercury and in 1973 started a run of 36 top 40 singles, including three No. 1s. That year, Rodriguez was named the ACM's Most Promising Male Vocalist. He was the first Mexican-American country music star, was inducted in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and awarded the Institute of Hispanic Culture Pioneer Award in 2010. No word on services.

Singer/songwriter Larry Michael Lee passed May 10. He was 78. Born and rasied in Springfield, MO, Lee was a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and co-wrote their 1975 top five pop single "Jackie Blue." He left the group in 1982 and moved to Nashville, where he worked as a songwriter, background vocalist, toured in Jimmy Buffett's band and produced numerous albums, including 13 projects with Alabama. No word on services.