About Rafael
Rafael is a dynamic singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Golden, TX. Whether he is playing solo, fronting a rockabilly trio, or leading a full blues band and horn section, his trademark blazing guitar prowess shines with a decidedly Texan flare.
His love for music started at an early age, encouraged by loving parents and grandparents who got him hooked on rockabilly music while cruising in their classic cars to hot rod shows. Rafael played in church and the high school band and spent many hours teaching himself to play like his heroes Stevie Ray Vaughan, Scotty Moore, John Mayer, and Henry Garza, among others.
In 2009 he won TX All State Jazz Guitarist and Four State Jazz Guitarist. He studied classical guitar at Tyler Junior College with Frank Kimlicko and after graduation he received a scholarship to study at the top contemporary music school in the world, Berklee College of Music in Boston.
After graduating Berklee with honors in 2013, he returned to Texas and won the Heart of Texas Blues Challenge with a blistering performance at the legendary Antone's in Austin, TX. Rafael got married, started a teaching business in Mineola, TX, Espinoza Music Academy, and formed a rockabilly/blues trio with wife Emmylou and drummer Curtis Lane. In addition to their many appearances across East Texas, including the T Bone Walker Blues Fest and opening for Reverend Horton Heat at Stanley's Famous BBQ, Rafael and The Rockabilly Railroad have recorded an album at Sun Studio and have played in rockabilly festivals across the country including Viva East in Massachusetts, the Eville Shindig in Indiana, and the Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion in Arizona.
Not one to be pigeon-holed, Rafael also plays regularly in the acoustic Buttermilk Sky Duo, which features Rafael on 12 string guitar and Emmylou on cello. He is a sought after profesional guitarist in East Texas and has played in the house band for numerous productions by The Tyler Civic Theater, The Shakespeare Festival, and The Sherman Theater. Rafael is also a dedicated music teacher and his many private lesson students value his expertise on performing, playing in a band, improvising, and preparing to study music in college.