By the time he hit High School, R.J. discovered AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and various other rock bands. Although he originally wanted to play drums, it was a friend who inspired him to play guitar. "I spent my last $6.00 to re-string an old acoustic Gretsch guitar my dad had and began teaching myself chords". By the mid 1980's he was playing Bass Guitar in Heavy Metal bands since there was more of a demand for bass players at the time. In the late 1990's, although he loved playing Heavy Metal music, R.J. wanted to play guitar instead of bass and had a desire to go back to where it all started and wanted try Country Music.

R.J. says: "Rio Diablo was my first attempt at country music. Although a different format, my experience from my Heavy Metal days were very helpful in making Rio Diablo what it is today. I feel it is my biggest musical accomplishment to date. I enjoy being part of a Honky Tonk band, I've definitely grown as a musician, but most of all I love the music".

Eddie Salazar is the rhythm guitarist, lead/back vocals and one of the original founders of Rio Diablo. Born in Hong Kong, Ed moved to the United States in 1975. Ed, although serious about the music, adds a sense of humor to the band. He is always cutting up and making everyone laugh. When asked at what age he learned to play guitar? He responded, “I got my first guitar at age 14, I learned how to play by ear, but that hurt too much, so I switched to using my fingers”. Ed has a passion for all types of music, including everything from Country, Pop, & Rock to Folk & Classical.

Ed says: “I finally mastered the G, C & D major chords (that’s 80% of all country songs), I am currently working on the A, E & F major chords”. “My ultimate dream is to one day play bar chords”.

Dave grew up in Wichita Kansas listening to his Dad’s Red Foley, Vaughn Monroe, and Sons of the Pioneers albums. They got the Grand Ole Opry on the radio as well as Wolfman Jack out of Del Rio Texas on XERF radio. He bought a guitar in 1961 when folk music was hitting it’s stride. Dave Says "I learned a few folk tunes, but always went back to songs like “Roly Poly” or “Tennessee Waltz”. Someone in the college dorm called me “Cowboy Red” because of my red hair and my inclination toward Western music."

"The 70’s was the hay day for steel guitar. Everyone from John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Pure Prairie League, and Commander Cody were using steel. Even Bob Dylan came out with a country sound on his Nashville Skyline album. I was hooked, and I bought my first one, a ShoBud, in 1976."

"Today, the internet connects any interest group, and the steel guitar has benefited as well. Bobby Lee has created www.steelguitarforum.com which is a magnificent site for anyone with an interest in this instrument. Great players such as Paul Franklin, Tommy White, Buddy Emmons, the late John Hughey and Jimmy Day can be experienced on youtube.

"Playing with Rio Diablo has given me the experience of working with a great group of guys who enjoy entertaining. We love playing for the crowd".

Ron says: "Rio Diablo plays old school Honky Tonk country and I feel right at home with everyone in the group". Like Skeeter Peel told me "Its simple music, for simple people, played like you mean it". That's what Rio Diablo is all about.

Carl, our drummer, has been playing with Rio since December 2007.

A Colorado native, Carl first tried out Piano and Trumpet but at age 12 he found his calling - Beating on things! Carl co-founded his first band "The Mammals" in 1980. He played in too many bands to mention in the following 29 years, but a few memorable ones (at least to him...) were Peace Core, UberFall, Fun at The Zoo, Blah Blah Blah, Computer Class, The Zimmermans (an all Bob Dylan cover band), Hook Em' Kow, and The Mercifuls/Highway 61. From Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Alternative, & Oldies...covers and originals...Carl has played a lot of Rock & Roll.

Carl really enjoys playing in Rio Diablo. In his own words "Music is my life, and I feel so blessed to be in this band. There is absolutely no drama in Rio, we practice hard and I think it shows. Also, there is nothing like playing great music with great friends..."