Tejano conjunto accordionist/singer Joe Martinez, formerly of the Hometown Boys, died of a heart attack Jan. 22 during a performance at a Houston nightclub.

Martinez was a founding member of the Lubbock-based Hometown Boys, a foursome that broke into the market in 1992 with solid foot-stomping polkas "Mire Amigo," and "El Pintor."

Last year Martinez started his own band Joe Martinez y Dream, and released a debut CD, "A New Beginning," on the Toka Discos label. Last November though, Martinez suffered a heart attack and underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Thursday he went by the Hallaballo nightclub to see the Hometown Boys. Shortly before 1 a.m. he was invited to perform but collapsed after playing three songs. He was rushed to the Columbia Bayshore Medical Center in Pasadena but was pronounced dead at 1:35 a.m.

Last year, Martinez and the Hometown boys received a Tejano Music Awards for the instrumental "Joe's Special No. 10."

Funeral services are scheduled Monday in Pasadena but additional details were not confirmed at presstime. For information call the Grandview Funeral Home in Pasadena at (281) 479-6076.

Information can also be obtained from Jesse Rodriguez, Marketing Director at Toka Discos in Houston at (713) 229-9804.