Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame Broadcaster Mel Rodriguez Nominated for Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026

For more than 50 years, Melchor “Mel” Rodriguez has been one of the most recognizable voices in Tejano radio, dedicating his career to preserving the music, promoting its artists, and strengthening the communities that helped shape the genre. Now, the veteran broadcaster has received one of Texas broadcasting’s highest honors with a nomination for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame recently announced its 50 nominees for the 2026 induction class, recognizing some of the state’s most accomplished broadcasters. Voting is now underway for eligible Texas Radio Hall of Fame members and remains open through midnight on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. The final 20 inductees will be honored during the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony on Nov. 7 at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore, Texas.

For Rodriguez, the nomination represents another milestone in a remarkable broadcasting career that has spanned generations.

Born on March 31, 1946, in Coahuila, Mexico, Rodriguez was the youngest of eight children born to Melchor and Francisca Rodriguez. His childhood was shaped by hardship after losing his father at just nine months old. Six years later, his mother married Antonio Arreola of Del Rio, Texas, where Rodriguez would ultimately establish deep roots and become one of Tejano music’s most passionate advocates.

A graduate of the San Felipe School District’s Class of 1966, Rodriguez briefly attended school in Chicago before returning to Del Rio in 1968. While working a full-time job during the day, he spent his evenings hosting a Tejano radio program from 7 p.m. until midnight.

Those nightly broadcasts marked the beginning of a lifelong mission to share Tejano music with audiences throughout South Texas.

In 1972, Rodriguez married Hilde “Chacha” Rodriguez, beginning a partnership built on family, faith, and service. Together they raised two children, Mel Rodriguez III and Selina Rodriguez Kuehnie, and today enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, Luca and Hugo.

Rodriguez’s influence expanded dramatically in 1985 when he joined five partners to establish Grande Broadcasting Corporation and co-found KTDR 96.3 FM, a 100,000-watt radio station serving the Del Rio area. The station officially signed on March 31, 1986—Rodriguez’s 40th birthday—with Rodriguez serving as president.

Now owned by MBM Radio Del Rio, KTDR continues serving listeners as a Hot Adult Contemporary station, a lasting testament to Rodriguez’s vision for local broadcasting.

While his accomplishments in station ownership are significant, Rodriguez’s greatest impact came through his tireless promotion of Tejano music. Throughout his career, he organized legendary bailes grandes in Del Rio while providing airplay and exposure for many of the genre’s biggest names.

His work helped showcase artists including Sunny Ozuna and The Sunliners, Agustine Ramirez, Latin Breed, Little Joe y La Familia, Joe Bravo, Tortilla Factory, Roberto Pulido, Carlos Guzman, Los Fabulosos Cuatro, Gilbert Rodriguez and The Blue Notes, among countless others.

Rodriguez became more than a radio personality—he became a trusted ambassador for Tejano music, helping introduce artists to new audiences while preserving the genre’s rich heritage for future generations.

After retiring in 2021, Rodriguez quickly realized he wasn’t ready to step away from the microphone.

Today, he continues entertaining listeners as host of the “Afternoon Drive Tejano Radio Show with Mel Rodriguez”on KWMC 1490 AM, airing weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. His mission remains unchanged: keeping Tejano music alive and thriving for longtime fans while inspiring new generations of listeners.

His commitment to public service has matched his dedication to broadcasting. Rodriguez has served two terms as commissioner of the Del Rio Housing Authority, spent six years as chairman of the City of Del Rio Board of Adjustment, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the San Felipe Ex-Student Association.

Earlier this year, Rodriguez’s contributions to Tejano music were also recognized with his induction into the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame, honoring decades of preserving and promoting the genre through radio and community involvement.

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame’s 2026 nomination class highlights broadcasters from across the Lone Star State. According to Executive Director Doug Harris, a 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, this year’s class reflects the success of the organization’s expanded outreach efforts.

“Our ‘Small Markets, Big Voices’ outreach clearly hit home with those who fit that description as well as their fans,” Harris said. “For many of these broadcasters, this is their first exposure to Hall of Fame consideration and we welcome their involvement.”

The Hall of Fame also continues its “Lone Star Legacies” category, introduced in 2025 to honor influential Texas radio pioneers who have passed away.

Voting for the Class of 2026 remains open to eligible Texas Radio Hall of Fame members through Aug. 10, with this year’s inductees scheduled to be announced prior to the Nov. 7 induction ceremony in Kilgore.

For Rodriguez, whose voice has echoed across South Texas for more than five decades, the nomination stands as recognition of a lifetime devoted not only to radio but to ensuring Tejano music continues to have a place on the dial—and in the hearts of listeners for generations to come.

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