The daughter of musicians, Rodriguez acquired her first guitar at the age of 15. Within four years, she was on her way to stardom, becoming the youngest performer on Cuba's popular television showcase Palmas y Canas. Her modern approach to Cuba's traditional guajiras and songs attracted a loyal following in her homeland. Fidel Castro confessed that she was one of his favorite singers. Offered a contract with a record label in Colombia in 1991, Rodriguez was given permission to live outside of Cuba. Over the next two years, she recorded two impressive albums that were distributed in Colombia and South America. When an opportunity arose for her and her band, Albito y Su Grupo, to defect to the United States in 1993, Rodriguez jumped at the chance. Settling in Miami, she became a regular performer at Centro Vasco in the city's Little Havana section. News of her talents spread quickly. Before long, her shows were attended by well-known personalities, including Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, Quincy Jones, and Sylvester Stallone. When Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to hear her in 1984, they were so impressed that they quickly signed her to Emilio's label, Crescent Moon. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi