To immediately listen to this month's Top Five vocalists, please Click Here
Sophia Ramos Named October “Best Vocalist Of The Month” With Her Song “Girlfriend’s Ghost”
By Dale Kawashima
Sophia Ramos, an excellent, contemporary rock singer &
songwriter based in New York City, has won the October SingerUniverse “Best
Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song
“Girlfriend’s Ghost” (co-written by Kyle Kelso). This song is from her 10-song
CD, Her Majesty, which she released independently in November 2005.
Sophia Ramos
“Girlfriend’s Ghost” is an exciting, propulsive rock track,
which provides a solid showcase for Ramos’ high-energy, powerhouse vocals. The
highlight of this song is its chorus, where Ramos’ intense vocals combine with
a fierce, Led Zeppelin-like guitar track. This recording was expertly produced
by Ramos in tandem with her main producer and collaborator, Billy White.
Ramos grew up in the South Bronx in New York, and she was
exposed to music early on, by her two older sisters and her aunt. She soon
gravitated to rock ‘n roll, listening to bands like Led Zeppelin and Queen,
while also being inspired by the music of Stevie Wonder and Celia Cruz. When
she was 15, she moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and she started to
play guitar and write songs, and perform in clubs.
“I focused on being the best singer and songwriter I could
be,” Ramos explained. “I had dropped out of high school when I was 16, so music
immediately became my goal and a way to make a living. I hustled – I sang lead
in some bands, background vocals in other bands. I also worked as an under-age
bartender and made jewelry.”
Ramos got her first break, when she subbed for an artist who
had failed to show up for a big showcase in Manhattan. “I had a chance to sing
in front of an industry crowd, and I tore the roof off the place,” she said. “Afterwards,
Dick Scott (then manager of TLC and New Kids On The Block) approached me, and
he later got my band, Sophia’s Toy, a deal with Sony Records.” Unfortunately,
Sophia’s Toy was dropped from Sony before they could release their album.
Sophia Ramos performing live.
Ramos decided to carry on as a solo artist, and she first
released an EP and then an 8-song demo. Notably, in 2000 she won a VH1 Best
Undiscovered Talent competition, and in 2002 she won the Abe Olman Excellence
In Songwriting Award, which was presented by the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame.
Then in November 2005, she released her first, full-fledged album, Her
Majesty. The album is a well-produced collection of rock and blues songs,
and it’s an impressive showcase for Ramos’ vocal skills.
During most of 2006, Ramos has been promoting her album,
with the help of her internet marketing expert, Princess Tai Poe. "She's a relentless, visionary PR machine," Ramos said. Ramos has also
toured steadily on the East Coast, and has done some overseas gigs. And
currently she is back in the studio, recording her follow-up album with
producer & co-writer Billy White. Ramos' new album will be released in early 2007.
In addition, here are four, talented vocalists/artists who complete our Top Five Vocalists honorees list for this month's competition, with their credits, plus their e-mail and website links:
Melissa Goyette
"If This Is All There Is" (pop/AC). Performed by Melissa Goyette of Ste-Adele, Quebec, Canada. Written by Melissa Goyette and Greg Critchley.