Norteño artist and three-time Grammy award winner Ramon Ayala is one of the most popular and esteemed personalities in Regional Mexican music. In the four decades that Ayala has been an active performer, the innovative accordionist/vocalist/producer/arranger has been at the helm of two of the most successful conjuntos in the history of the genre. Ayala and the late bajo sexto guitarist/vocalist Cornelio Reyna teamed up to form Los Relampagos Del Norte in the 1960’s. At the time, Ayala was just 18 and Reyna was 23. In the relatively short period that the group played together, their music would so captivate fans with sensitive, yet powerful arrangements, that Los Relampagos would become one of the most popular conjuntos in modern times. With Reyna as the principle songwriter/vocalist, and Ayala’s virtuosity on accordion and charismatic stage presence, Los Relampagos so solidly stamped their style on the conjunto scene that hosts of younger musicians attempt to emulate them to the present time. Their songs have been covered countless times, and continue to be recorded by many contemporary Latin artists. Ayala and Reyna split amicably in 1971, retiring Los Relampagos Del Norte, and securing their position as one of the most successful and influential Norteño groups of all time. Los Relampagos Del Norte were inducted into the Pura Vida Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ramon Ayala Y Sus Bravos Del Norte were formed shortly after the split. With that, Ayala would again front another conjunto that would imprint its identity on conjunto music, and would itself attain legendary proportions on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. In 1974, Ayala signed a recording contract with Freddie Records. Ayala has recorded for Freddie Records since then, and has become one of the label’s premier artists.

In the 40 + years that Ramon Ayala has been an active musician he has recorded over 100 albums. Not one has strayed from the basic accordion and unadorned vocal style that Ayala began with. Ayala turns out well-crafted and balanced music featuring lyrics with universally understood human themes. They’re about tragedy, loneliness, broken relationships, almost unbearable longing and pain, and about experiencing love in all its complicated nuances. Ayala’s music is nicely rounded out by thoughtful melodies and the soulful, rich vocals of lead singer Mario Marichalar.

Ramon Ayala’s latest Latin Grammy nominated release is his 2005 album, YA NO LLORES. The album contains 12 cuts, and features a rerecording of the title track which was one of Los Relampagos’ first big hits. In addition, Ayala and his bandmates shine on tracks such as “Mi Tonto Corazon,” “Puñalada Fatal,” “Palabritas De Amor,” and the catchy cumbia, “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti.”

Ayala and Los Bravos Del Norte flawlessly go between rancheras, cumbias, boleros and valseadas to create a well-balanced mix that compliments the album’s overall theme and showcases the group’s true versatility.

Another highlight of YA NO LLORES is the CD/DVD combo package that features a DVD containing music videos for all 12 tracks on the album, a first in the Norteño field.

Ramon Ayala always takes care to insure that the material on his albums reflect the excellence that has been his trademark for so many years. Ayala selects material designed to cater to the musical preferences of his fans throughout the United States and Mexico. After all, Ayala’s fans have continually supported his music for over 40 years, and Ramon Ayala is a genuine artist who never forgets.