Norteño Music Legend Ramón Ayala in concert at Spotlight 29 Casino

With more than 100 albums and countless awards to his credit, Ramon Ayala has been the name behind norteño, conjunto and tejano music, spawning followers and imitators. Now the original master will be in concert at Spotlight 29 Casino on January 27.

 Critics have said that his influence on modern music cannot be overstated, as most norteño 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.

 Ayala began playing the accordion at age six, and was soon performing publicly to help support his modest family. His reputation and following grew, and as a teenager, he invented modern conjunto music, and moved norteño music out of the cantina and into the mainstream with updated music style and lyrics.

 Throughout his career, the songwriter Ayala has told stories of wronged lovers and hard living, although the performer and celebrity Ayala has never promoted remaining in despair. Now generally considered a classic musician, Ayala has won multiple American and Latin Grammy awards.

 Tickets for Ramon Ayala are $45, $40 and $35 and are on sale now at Spotlight29.com and at the Spotlight 29 Casino Gift Shop or by calling (800) 585-3737. Show time is 7 p.m.

Put the spotlight on headliner entertainment at Spotlight 29 Casino, the Coachella Valley’s most exciting place to play. Spotlight 29 Casino is a business venture of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Turn it on at www.Spotlight29.com.