Norteno Music Legend Ramon Ayala to Receive Key to the City

Award-winning Star to Get Key to Coachella City During Concert at Spotlight

     29 Casino on January 27

    COACHELLA, Calif., Jan. 24 // -- With more than 100 albums and countless awards to his credit, Ramon Ayala has been the name behind norteno, conjunto and tejano music, spawning followers and imitators. Now the original master will be in concert at Spotlight 29 Casino on January 27, and he will be awarded a key to the City of Coachella during the concert. Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia will present Ayala with a key to the city.

    WHO: Ramon Ayala and City of Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia

    WHAT: Ayala to be awarded key to the city

    WHEN: Sunday, January 27, 2008; concert starts at 7 p.m.

    WHERE: Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella

    HOW: Media is welcome; credentials are required

    411: Critics have said that Ayala's influence on modern music cannot

     be overstated, as most norteno groups today use his style as

     their musical foundation and perform their songs. In the 1990s,

     when tejano (the modern version of the conjunto style Ayala

     practically invented) revisited its accordion roots, with

     synthesizers often replacing the accordion, it was the great

     master's sound they emulated. Now generally considered a classic

     musician, Ayala has won multiple American and Latin Grammy

     awards.

    TICKETS: $45, $40 and $35, available at Spotlight29.com, at the Spotlight

     29 Casino Gift Shop or by calling (800) 585-3737

    CONTACT: Paul Speirs, Steinbeck Communications

     (702) 413-4278, paulspeirs@cox.net