“In an era of hyper-specialized genres, Ramona and the Holy Smokes is a refreshing anomaly. The band refuses to be boxed in, and their self-titled debut album is a bold statement of their artistic identity. It’s an album that appeals to fans of classic country, roots rock, and Americana alike, proving that the best music often lives in the spaces between genres...” — COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Based in Central Virginia and with family roots in South Texas, Ramona and the Holy Smokes represent a new generation of honky tonk music. With powerful female vocals that cover an emotional range from determined to comic to vulnerable, and a talented backing band steeped in classic country and western styles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the band’s repertoire includes lush emotional ballads, quintessential two-step dance numbers, gritty country-rockers, and a unique blend of honky tonk and traditional Mexican styles that the group describes as “Mexi-tonk.” Drawing on the Mexican-American heritage of lead singer and songwriter Ramona Martinez, recognized by Wide Open Country as one of the "15 Latino Artists Shaping Country Music," Ramona and the Holy Smokes are simultaneously rooted in the traditional sounds of country music but unafraid of pushing boundaries and highlighting the connections across border cultures. Their self-titled debut LP offers the group the opportunity to explore this diversity of sounds, leaning into an authenticity and resiliency in songs that chart life’s ups and downs from the perspective of a female voice seeking to maintain a sensitivity and sense of wonder in a twenty-first century world filled with emotional highs and lows.

Formed in 2022, Ramona and the Holy Smokes have seen their star rise in the region and beyond. The band–which includes Kyle Kilduff (electric guitar), Brooks Hefner (pedal steel), Jay Ouypron (bass), and Porter Bralley (drums)–had built a rapport playing together before joining Ramona, and in their time together have brought their talents to Ramona’s songs and song ideas, shaping and arranging these for a signature honky tonk sound. The band has performed regularly in the region, appearing at several Americana festivals including Red Wing Roots (2024), Rooster Walk (2025), and Bristol Rhythm & Roots (2025), and has opened for touring artists like Margo Cilker, Colby Acuff, Willi Carlisle, Redd Volkaert, Joshua Hedley, Donna the Buffalo, and Kashus Culpepper.

Ramona and the Holy Smokes continue to perform and write new music, building off of this promising debut album. Seeking a sound that is simultaneously vintage and timeless, they have made believers out of many skeptical audiences by emphasizing an emotional honesty and enduring, organic sound. "While we are heavily inspired by twentieth-century country music,” Ramona notes, “there is definitely something modern about our sound. I don't know if I can pinpoint exactly what it is, but what I do know is that even those who claim to not like country music can connect with us. Perhaps that's because country music, done right, is sincere. And I think everyone can connect with music that's sincere."

With only 100 seats, shows at Révéler are intimate and immersive. A romantic venue with exquisite sound and dreamy vibes, Révéler offers a unique selection of cocktails, wines, beers, bubbles, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our kitchen delivers small plates crafted with care.

SHOW NOTES

LOCATION