EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — As we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we turn our spotlight on a local musician.
He is not only bridging cultures but also touching lives with his music.
Roy Ramos was raised on rock & roll and radio hits in the bustling streets of Brooklyn, but his music career began with his dad
"The day I was born, he put a guitar in my crib, and at two years old he started teaching me how to play it and I still play that song that he taught me to this day," said Ramos.
"My dad had a love for culture and you know he bestowed it onto me his love of culture," continued Ramos.
Roy eventually found his way to the Poconos, where he made it his home. Hence his nickname Pocono Boy Roy and continued to share his passion for cultural music with the community.
"And the Poconos as I said has just exploded with culture, the Latin community is very diverse and there is quite a bit of Latinos from all around the world, lots of Puerto Ricans in the area, Mexicans, Cubans, and we all share each others music," explained Ramos.
Hispanic Heritage MonthRoy's performances are a vibrant mix of a wide range of cultures. Captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds
"I do 20 cultures, everything from calypso music, reggae, Hawaiian music, luaus all summer long, I sing a lot of Spanish songs, some Russian, some French," stated Ramos.
Every show and crowd is different with his years of experience, Roy knows exactly what to play for whoever is listening.
Basically just feel the vibes of the place, you know demographically, age-wise, and I've learned enough rep guitar to be able to kind of get the feeling for the room and just play the room as it's very organic we go back and forth," continued Ramos.
Even when singing in another language, Roy translates key lines so everyone in the audience can connect with the music and its message
Roy's performances go beyond the stage. He regularly plays for seniors, veterans, and those in Alzheimer's and dementia facilities using music as a therapeutic tool
"And then at the end of the show, I'll get a family member coming up, with like tears in their eyes and their wonderful warm smile on their face and say my grandma hasn't spoken in three weeks. The music touched them, it motivated them, brought back some of it made those connections neurologically, it brought back some of those memories and feelings," noted Ramos.
Beyond his passion for music, Roy has a deep appreciation for all forms of art
"I've always loved visual arts, I couldn't draw a straight line to save my life but real appreciation for art, art and music you know they're two paths you can go by," says Ramos.
When it's possible Roy brings more than just his music on stage. He displays a collection of hand-painted instruments. Each is a unique work of art created by local artists from the Pocono Arts Council.
"Different sizes, different projects, we do a lot of design, that's the part of art that I can express myself with, I'm good back and forth with the artists, we make original designs, we put them together and then the artist goes and does their thing," said Ramos.
Roy Ramos is more than a musician. He's a proud Puerto Rican, using his talents to bring people together, one song at a time
I have seen Roy entertain at events and he is a lot of fun and very talented.
And as you saw he has a great collection of guitars.
If you would like to learn more about Roy Ramos and all of the people and groups we have featured during our show