“I think music is something that touches all people of all different cultures all different backgrounds, all different places in the world because it speaks to that part of a human being that is hard to describe but music touches people. Blues is one of the languages of music that is primal in a way because everyone has had troubled times.”

Kid Ramos: Strange Things Happening

On his first album in five years, Strange Things Happening (2025, Nola Blue Records), internationally renowned guitarist and producer Kid Ramos shares a musical message of faith, joined by featured vocalists Brian Templeton and his son, Johnny Ramos. Produced by Chris Lizotte (singer/songwriter and worship leader), the session includes Dave Limina on Hammond organ, international touring bassist Mike Tuturro, and Stephen Hodges on drums. A gospel blues fusion accompanies songs made famous by icons including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, The Soul Stirrers, and Bob Dylan as well as original compositions by Brian Templeton, in this spiritual salve for modern times. In a career spanning more than forty years, Orange County, California native Kid Ramos has been a member of the James Harman Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, Los Fabulocos and The Proven Ones.

(Photo: Artwork/Cover of Kid Ramos’ album “Strange Things Happening” by Nola Blue Records, 2025)

Ramos was awarded The Orange County Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and has received 14 Blues Music Award nominations to date. He also produced legendary pianist Floyd Dixon's final recording, Time Brings About A Change, as well as the accompanying documentary.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Archive: Kid & Johnny Ramos, 2018 interview

Special Thanks: Kid Ramos & Kevin Johnson ( Proud Papa Promotions & Publicity)

You’ve one more release with Johnny Ramos. Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Strange Things Happening? 

We had the idea to put trumpets on Satan's jewel crown and we were talking about needing a trumpet player and the recording engineers assistant said I play trumpet and my twin brother plays trumpet as well and they came in the next day and nailed it.

Why do you think that the Gospel music continues to generate such a devoted following? 

Because it's real and it comes from something that's deep and it gives hope and all people search for inspiration.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician? 

Longevity in this business is at times difficult as I reflect on the past 45 years playing music and really the obstacle is to continue to challenge myself as a creative person. I see art in so many aspects of life and the trials of life itself are all part of expressing yourself. Just living yand overcoming makes you a better person and an artist.

”It comes back to keep things real being honest about how you approach the craft how you approach music how you approach the creative process and how you interpret that in a way that relates to people.” (Photo: Kid Ramos, an internationally renowned guitarist and producer)

What moment changed your music life the most? What's the balance in music between technique and soul? 

As a human being you evolve. As you live life you change yet your core values and who you are stays the same. How you play is not the notes as it is the interpretation of what your feelings are and that's what's important. That's what people react to is emotional playing that's from the heart. That's not from your mind, but from a different place.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths? 

My musical paths have changed because of the people I've played with have changed. The bands I've been in have changed. All of it is part of the process, there are lessons to be learned from everybody from different musicians, and how people inspire you and you inspire other people and how the common thread that runs through us all that are creative people and how we try to express ourselves through the music.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

I think music is something that touches all people of all different cultures all different backgrounds, all different places in the world because it speaks to that part of a human being that is hard to describe but music touches people. Blues is one of the languages of music that is primal in a way because everyone has had troubled times. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

It comes back to keep things real being honest about how you approach the craft how you approach music how you approach the creative process and how you interpret that in a way that relates to people.

”Longevity in this business is at times difficult as I reflect on the past 45 years playing music and really the obstacle is to continue to challenge myself as a creative person. I see art in so many aspects of life and the trials of life itself are all part of expressing yourself. Just living yand overcoming makes you a better person and an artist.”

(Photo: Kid Ramos)

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

Again I feel like life is art and art is reflected in life. There's so many things that I do throughout the day that are part of the creative process like working in my garden and watching flowers grow and watching plants change through the seasons and building things with my hands and expressing myself and it's all part of the creative process.

Kid Ramos (Bandcamp)