RAMON AYALA IN CONCERT:

As Mexico's "King of the Accordion," norteño and conjunto superstar Ramon Ayala has recorded an astonishing 105 albums, shattering sales records and becoming a legend of the beloved regional genres. With over 60 years in the business, Ayala has had plenty of time to hone his immense talent, and he continues to dazzle fans with his virtuosic accordion playing at his energetic performances. A consummate showman and recipient of a Grammy for his renowned live shows, Ayala will certainly have toes tapping and booties shaking at his Noche Romantica tour dates in 2014.

BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:

Born to a musical family in Monterrey, Mexico, Ramon Ayala took up the accordion at age six under the encouragement of his parents. In his teens, Ayala and guitarist Cornelio Reyna virtually invented modern conjunto with their group Los Relampagos del Norte, which featured Ayala on accordion and Reyna on bajo sexto — an instrument combination that has become the genre standard. In the '60s, Los Relampagos reinvented and enlivened norteño music, releasing 20 albums and leaving behind a string of classics including "Ya No Llores," their first hit single. After the duo parted ways in 1971, Ayala and his backing band assumed the name Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte, establishing themselves as norteño superstars with hits like "Un Rinconcito En El Cielo" and "Chaparra de Mi Amor."