San Marcos, Texas — In the 1960s and 70s, Rosina Records was an independently-owned record label based in San Marcos. Its catalog included Chicano Soul and early recordings of Tejano music legends, as well as those of a rising star named Sixto Sanchez, who died in an accident in 1967. Now, 52 years after his death and decades after Rosina closed its doors, a daughter has resurrected its legacy.
In 2012, Rhea Kimbell ventured into her mother’s storage room in her childhood home and began to sort through and listen to some of the remaining inventory from her father’s record company. Kimbell’s father, Ruben Ruiz Sr., founded Rosina Records and Monterrey Records in 1962 in San Marcos. When the label was active, he recorded over 250 songs from over 100 artists early in their careers, many of whom went on to be superstars and legends like Isidro Lopez, Alfonso Ramos, Gilbert Rodriguez, Augustin Ramirez, and Manuel “Cowboy” Donley.
Amidst the treasure trove of vinyl was an unreleased compilation LP that Ruiz had put together of Sixto Sanchez. The compilation includes a variety of horn-driven Orquesta-style Tejano and R&B.
Once billed as the next Ritchie Valens, Sanchez was the lead singer of The Broken Hearts, a very popular up and coming band from Seguin.
Late one night in 1967, while returning from a gig in Abilene, the band was involved in a fatal accident and Sanchez was killed.
After taking some of these items to a record show in Schertz, Kimbell and her husband David decided to introduce a new generation to the legacy of Rosina Records and the legend of Sixto Sanchez. Working with Compadresmusic and non-profit organization Rancho Alegre, both based in Austin, the compilation LP of Sanchez was digitized and is now available on CD and on all digital outlets.
LISTEN: Sixto Sanchez Y Los Broken Hearts Compilation
Track listing:
1. Cartas Marcadas
2. Crying Over You (“Llorando Por Ti”)
3. Cuando Me Pierdas
4. Once In A While (Instrumental, “De Vez En Cuando”)
5. Mi Derrota
6. Nomas Por Tu Amor
7. Palabra De Hombre
8. Palabras Del Cielo
9. Plegarias Falsas
10. Que Hare
11. Thrill Upon A Hill (“Celebración En La Loma”)
12. Yerba Mala