Hedras Ramos: the pride of Guatemala making waves in the guitar idol final

News:
16-04-2009:
It seems that Hedras Ramos is going down a storm in his native Guatemala. I managed to catch a live radio show last night and he's also getting some news paper coverage and on line news attention for his appearene in the guitar idol on line final for the track Insanity Atoms.

Translated from Prensa Libre:

Hedras is 17 years old and has been playing the electric guitar for 4 years now. Practicing seven to eight hours a day and now even more involved in the Guitar Idol competition, in which the finalists will be voted by the public through the Internet.

Hedras composes his own songs and actually released his first album in October, "New Sounds", with 12 pieces. Besides being the only Central American who participates in this global contest, which is in semi-stage, also competes in the Riffking, event organized by the English band - Saxon. The winner will be invited to play with the band in a live show. In addition, he's now part of the staff of Blues Jam Tracks, a company oriented towards training materials on the guitar that teaches through the web along with Guthrie Govan and Alex Hutchings, two of the most prominent British masters of the instrument. Hedras hopes to have the support of the Guatemalan people to reach the final of Guitar Idol, in London.

What motivates you to learn guitar?
There were several reasons. One was feeling the instrument, which has a lot of harmony, rhythm and melody. I am also inspired by my dad, who is a guitarist, and therefore I have grown up in a musical environment.

Who are the big you admire?
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, and Guthrie Govan.

How do you define your style?
Is instrumental rock. It can be metal, hard rock, jazz, fusion, pop rock, and ballads, but I'm inclined to rock. I also love classical music, blues and jazz ...

You started at 13 and in four years you have achieved much, like being in the semi-finals of Guitar Idol, how do you feel about it?
Representing Guatemala in this way is a dream and a privilege. Not everyone can do, and it would be very special to go to London (for the final) and that my country gives me the necessary votes. It feels very well achieving all this, it's nice to see a harvest of what you sow. The law of effort and reward can not be violated.

How have you prepared this time to reach the level where you are?
I am very happy with what I achieved. I am eager to learn more, and my dream is to study at the Berkley College of Music, to devote myself to this for life. I intend to learn to the best of everything and give my full effort. I study between seven and eight hours a day, and on school vacations 12 to 14 hours. I am composing, producing and teaching. I feel fine but I have a lot ahead, you never stop learning ...

( updated translation provided by Hedras Ramos. )

Plus some magazine appearances: