Rosita Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Rosita Fernandez named "San Antonio's First Lady of Song" by Lady Bird Johnson
, was a Tejano
music singer, radio star, actress and humanitarian. She was born in Monterrey
, Mexico and received her early education in Laredo, Texas
. She moved with her family to San Antonio, Texas
at age nine.
She began her singing career at age 14, performing with her uncles in their group, Trio San Miguel. In 1932, she became the star of a radio program on WOAI in San Antonio, and in 1933 recorded jingles for several radio commercials. In 1949, she performed on the first broadcast on WOAI television, and later became a regular on several shows.
In 1938, Fernandez married Raul Almaguer, and the couple had two children.
On the silver screen, she was cast as the main part in Sancho, The Homing Steer, a 1963 Disney made for TV movie. She also had roles in The Alamo
with John Wayne
in 1960, and in Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie, and Seguin.
Beginning in the 1950s, Fernandez performed in the annual summer show Fiesta Noche del Rio
at the Arneson River Theater
on the San Antonio River
. She also was a featured performer each spring at the Night in Old San Antonio event at San Antonio's Fiesta celebration.
Fernandez retired from performing in 1982. That same year, a bridge crossing the San Antonio River at the Arneson River Theater
was named the "Rosita Bridge" in her honor. Other honors include induction into the San Antonio Musicians Hall of Fame in 1979, the Woman of the Year award in 1983, and induction into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
, was a Tejano
Tejano
Tejano or Texano is a term used to identify a Texan of Mexican heritage.Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people...
music singer, radio star, actress and humanitarian. She was born in Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, Mexico and received her early education in Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
. She moved with her family to San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
at age nine.
She began her singing career at age 14, performing with her uncles in their group, Trio San Miguel. In 1932, she became the star of a radio program on WOAI in San Antonio, and in 1933 recorded jingles for several radio commercials. In 1949, she performed on the first broadcast on WOAI television, and later became a regular on several shows.
In 1938, Fernandez married Raul Almaguer, and the couple had two children.
On the silver screen, she was cast as the main part in Sancho, The Homing Steer, a 1963 Disney made for TV movie. She also had roles in The Alamo
The Alamo (1960 film)
The Alamo is a 1960 American historical epic released by United Artists. The film was directed by John Wayne, who also starred as Davy Crockett. The cast also includes Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey as William B...
with John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
in 1960, and in Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie, and Seguin.
Beginning in the 1950s, Fernandez performed in the annual summer show Fiesta Noche del Rio
Fiesta Noche del Rio
Fiesta Noche del Rio is a seasonal outdoor performance which features the songs and dances of Mexico, Spain, Argentina, California, and Texas.The performance is based at the Arneson River Theater in the San Antonio River Walk, and has been in operation since 1958, making it the oldest outdoor...
at the Arneson River Theater
Arneson River Theater
Arneson River Theater is an outdoor performance theater located in the San Antonio River Walk in Texas.The open-air venue was erected in 1939 and was designed by architect Robert Hugman and is named after Edwin Arneson, who was instrumental in securing funding for the Paseo del Rio.The stage is on...
on the San Antonio River
San Antonio River
The San Antonio River is a major waterway that originates in central Texas in a cluster of springs in north central San Antonio, approximately four miles north of downtown, and follows a roughly southeastern path through the state. It eventually feeds into the Guadalupe River about ten miles from...
. She also was a featured performer each spring at the Night in Old San Antonio event at San Antonio's Fiesta celebration.
Fernandez retired from performing in 1982. That same year, a bridge crossing the San Antonio River at the Arneson River Theater
Arneson River Theater
Arneson River Theater is an outdoor performance theater located in the San Antonio River Walk in Texas.The open-air venue was erected in 1939 and was designed by architect Robert Hugman and is named after Edwin Arneson, who was instrumental in securing funding for the Paseo del Rio.The stage is on...
was named the "Rosita Bridge" in her honor. Other honors include induction into the San Antonio Musicians Hall of Fame in 1979, the Woman of the Year award in 1983, and induction into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.