Ramon AyalaEl Rey del AcordeonFor over 40 years, the artistry of songwriter/accordionist/vocalist Ramon Ayala has defined norteño music with signature songs and definitive instrumental styling that have made him a superstar on both sides of the Rio Grande.Ramon, son of local musician Ramon Cobarrubias, began playing his favorite instrument, the accordion when he was six years old. Inspired and supported by his parents, he performed in different public places to help his modest family. His first band experience was a group called Los Jilgueros de Marin, later he joined Los Pavorreales.As a teenager in the early sixties, Ramon virtually invented modern conjunto music, teaming up with the late bajo sexto guitarist / vocalist Cornelio Reyna to form Los Relampagos del Norte, the duo forged a distinctive sound and compiled a roster of songs that have since been covered by countless artists in contemporary Latin music. Their first hit single “Ya no llores” was recorded in 1963.For the...