David Lee Rodriquez y Cuatro11 Honors Family Legacy on New Album ‘III’

David Lee Rodriquez y Cuatro11 have officially released their third studio album, III, a deeply personal project that celebrates family, legacy, and the musical journey that has defined the Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist’s career. The album arrived on digital streaming platforms on May 29 and serves as one of Rodriquez’s most meaningful releases to date.

Produced once again by multiple GRAMMY-winning producer Gilbert Velasquez, III blends traditional Tejano roots with modern arrangements while telling a story that is uniquely Rodriquez’s own.

Speaking with Tejano Nation Radio host Romeo, Rodriquez explained that the album’s title carries far greater significance than simply marking his third release.

“It’s my third album, and there’s a lot of personal tie-ins with the three,” Rodriquez said. “Me and my two brothers, there were three of us boys. My brother passed away when we were kids, and then it was just me, my brother, and my dad doing the music. So there’s three there, and then the third CD. It all kind of ties together.”

One of the album’s emotional centerpieces is “Recibí Tu Carta,” a reimagined version of a song originally recorded in the 1990s by Algo Simple, a group featuring Rodriquez and his father, the late E.P. Rodriquez. Known throughout Tejano music circles as an accomplished trumpet player who performed with legendary acts including Little Joe and Sunny and the Sunglows, E.P. left an unforgettable musical legacy.

For Rodriquez, bringing his father’s presence into the new recording became a mission.

“I wanted Dad to play with me real bad, or at least record with me one more time on this CD,” he shared. “But he got real ill.”

Thanks to the production expertise of Velasquez, that wish became reality in an unexpected way. Velasquez was able to isolate and restore E.P. Rodriquez’s original trumpet solo from the 1990s recording and seamlessly incorporate it into the new version.

“We recorded the song again and did it more mariachi style,” Rodriquez explained. “Gilbert was able to pull that original trumpet solo and add it onto this song. In the beginning, it has me and my dad talking, reminiscing about the good old days and the times we used to play together on the road.”

The result is a powerful musical time capsule that connects generations of the Rodriquez family.

“It means a lot,” he said. “We have Dad on there, my brother playing drums, and it’s just like, man, it’s me, my life, my family, and my dad’s legacy all rolled into one. It’s a real important CD for me.”

The album’s emotional depth also stems from memories of Rodriquez’s late brother, who introduced him to music before passing away from leukemia as a teenager.

“He taught me how to play guitar,” Rodriquez recalled. “The first song we did was ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’ by the Scorpions. Before he passed away, he asked me to keep playing, and I did.”

That promise ultimately led Rodriquez down the path that would establish him as one of Tejano music’s most respected musicians and vocalists.

The album’s lead single, “Mi Amigo (Dos O Tres Tequilas),” pairs Rodriquez with Tejano veteran Eddie Gonzalez, whose signature voice helped define a generation of Tejano and Norteño music fans. Gonzalez, affectionately known as “The Dancing Cowboy,” was inducted into the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame in 2019 and remains one of the genre’s most beloved performers.

For Rodriquez, recording alongside one of his musical heroes was a dream come true.

“I’ve always looked up to him,” Rodriquez said. “He’s so humble. He came into the studio, listened to the song, said, ‘Okay, I’m ready,’ and just nailed it. I was in awe, thinking, ‘Holy moly, here I am recording with somebody that I’ve looked up to.’”

Rodriquez believes the song will resonate with longtime Tejano fans, comparing its feel to Gonzalez’s classic 1997 hit “Por Qué.”

“Man, he just nails it,” Rodriquez said. “It was an awesome experience.”

The collaboration was recorded under the guidance of Velasquez, whom Rodriquez credits as a vital creative partner throughout the project.

“What was nice about this CD is we collaborated a whole lot on the arrangements,” he said. “Gilbert left the door open for me to give him my ideas, and he took them and ran with them. He really allowed me to give my input on the music, and we worked great together on this CD.”

Originally from Hereford, Texas, Rodriquez has built a reputation as one of Tejano music’s most versatile artists. A singer, bassist, songwriter, and arranger, he seamlessly blends Tejano with country, jazz, blues, and rock influences. His 2019 debut solo album, Así Me Enseñaron, earned a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Tejano Album and established him as a rising force within the genre.

With III, Rodriquez continues that artistic evolution while delivering his most personal statement yet. More than just a collection of songs, the album serves as a tribute to the family members who shaped his musical path and the legacy they continue to inspire.

For David Lee Rodriquez, III is more than an album title—it’s a symbol of family, remembrance, and the enduring power of music passed from one generation to the next.

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