Interview: Ram Herrera Embraces Country Music With New Bilingual Single ‘Just One Time’

Tejano music legend Ram Herrera is opening a new chapter in his storied career, stepping beyond the traditional Tejano sound and into country music with the release of his new bilingual single, “Just One Time.”

The song, recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, represents a longtime dream for Herrera, who told Tejano Nation Radio affiliate La Voz 93.3 FM host Ro-Z that recording a country project in Nashville has been something he has wanted to accomplish for years.

“I’ve always had this dream I never got to complete what I wanted to do,” Herrera said during the interview.

Now, with the support of his wife Lizé Herrera and his team, Herrera is finally making that dream a reality.

“We’re working on it,” Herrera said when asked if fans could expect a full country album. “I’m excited about it. I’m excited for it too.”

A Dream Finally Realized in Nashville

Herrera’s connection to Nashville goes back years. He previously planned to travel to Music City to record an album, but circumstances prevented the project from happening.

On one trip, Herrera’s appendix ruptured, resulting in a serious medical emergency and hospitalization.

Years later, Herrera’s wife encouraged him to revisit the dream.

“I told my wife I’ve always had this dream I never got to complete what I wanted to do,” Herrera recalled. “She said, ‘Well, we’re gonna make it happen now.’”

The trip to Nashville gave Herrera an opportunity not only to record but also to experience the city’s songwriting community firsthand.

“I didn’t know Nashville was the songwriter capital of the world,” Herrera said. “I met a bunch of songwriters there. These people, how they work together, they collaborate together.”

That collaborative spirit left an impression on the veteran performer.

“They all work together and help each other,” he said. “I think that’s pretty cool.”

“Just One Time” Brings Tejano and Country Together

Herrera’s latest release, “Just One Time,” is particularly significant because he considers it his first officially recorded bilingual song.

“I think this is the first bilingual song that I’ve ever recorded,” Herrera told Ro-Z.

The track was recorded at Blackbird Studios, a Nashville facility that has hosted recordings by major artists across country, rock and other genres.

Herrera also had the opportunity to work with Nashville musicians connected to major country acts, adding another layer to the significance of the recording.

For Herrera, “Just One Time” isn’t simply an experiment with another genre. It’s part of his desire to explore different musical styles while continuing to build upon the career he established in Tejano music.

“I like to sing all kinds of music,” he said. “Now that I got the time, I’m gonna try to fulfill my bucket list of doing all these things I wanted to do.”

Herrera also sees the new music as an opportunity to demonstrate another side of his artistry.

“I’d like to do just to show the people what I can do a little bit and leave a legacy,” he said.

More Than Just Country

While country music is currently at the center of Herrera’s creative plans, the singer isn’t limiting himself to one genre.

He revealed that he is also interested in recording more gospel and mariachi music.

“I do a lot of gospel music too,” Herrera said. “I’ve done some gospel stuff that’s been very successful.”

He added that he has also been interested in exploring mariachi and other musical styles.

For a performer whose career has already crossed generations and musical boundaries, the next chapter could be among his most diverse.

Remembering the Songs That Built His Career

Although Herrera is looking forward, he hasn’t forgotten the music that helped establish him as one of Tejano’s most recognizable voices.

During the interview, he pointed to as one of his biggest fan favorites.

“Well, one of the top ones would be ‘Amor Querido,’” Herrera said. “It really took off like crazy.”

He credited songwriter Luis Silva for helping make the song a success and recalled how Silva also played an important role in teaching him the business side of the music industry.

Silva took Herrera on the road and helped him learn how to communicate with radio stations and program directors.

“He taught me how to talk on the radio station and how to keep on talking,” Herrera said.

Now, Herrera is returning to the road with what he described as a renewed radio tour.

A Career Spanning Generations

Herrera’s career has made him a prominent figure in Tejano music, with a catalog that includes numerous fan favorites and collaborations throughout the years.

His career has also included memorable performances alongside some of the biggest names in Tejano music, including Selena.

Herrera recently had one of his iconic stage outfits placed on display as part of a Tejano music exhibit. The jacket was worn when he performed with Selena at the Houston Astrodome.

“I wore that when I played with Selena at the Astrodome,” Herrera recalled.

The jacket is now part of a display alongside memorabilia from Tejano legends including Little Joe and Rubén Ramos, preserving another piece of Herrera’s career for future generations.

Helping the Next Generation

As Herrera enters this new stage of his career, he’s also focused on helping younger artists navigate an industry that has changed dramatically since he first began recording.

Herrera said one of the things he lacked early in his career was knowledge about how the music business worked.

“Now that I’ve got my dream team together with my wife, Shelly Lares and Kathy Garcia, they’re helping me,” Herrera said.

He also emphasized the importance of artists understanding their contracts, recordings and business relationships before signing away their rights.

His advice to aspiring Tejano musicians is straightforward:

“Practice, practice, practice,” Herrera said. “Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

He also encouraged young artists to understand the creative process and maintain control over their own music.

“You’ve got to know what you want before you go in there and do it,” Herrera said.

And when it comes to social media, Herrera believes today’s emerging artists have opportunities that weren’t available when he started.

“Use that,” he said. “Use all that stuff. It’s free.”

Working With a New Generation

Herrera is also collaborating with younger performers, including Savannah V, whom he praised during the interview.

“She knows what she wants, where she’s going,” Herrera said. “She’s got a good mindset and she’s got a hell of a voice.”

Herrera recalled performing with Savannah V in Monterrey, Mexico, where she joined his band without a formal rehearsal and performed alongside them.

“She got up there and did it without no rehearsal,” he said. “She kicked butt. Tore it up there and people loved her in Mexico.”

The collaboration reflects Herrera’s interest in supporting the next generation while continuing to expand his own musical horizons.

Looking Toward the Future

After decades in Tejano music, Herrera says he is approaching this stage of his career with a different perspective.

Following years of personal challenges, he said he’s focused on moving forward and making the most of the opportunities ahead.

“I see nothing but positive things ahead,” Herrera said. “I’ve been through so much and I know God has a reason for me to keep me alive, going. So I’m just gonna leave it in His hands.”

That outlook appears to be fueling his current creative renaissance.

With “Just One Time” introducing Herrera to a broader country audience, a potential full country album in development, gospel and mariachi projects on his bucket list, and collaborations with younger artists underway, the Tejano legend is showing no signs of slowing down.

“I like to sing all kinds of music,” Herrera said.

For Ram Herrera, the next chapter isn’t about leaving Tejano behind. It’s about adding new pages to a career that has already become part of the genre’s history.

“Just One Time” is available on digital music platforms, with fans able to follow Herrera’s latest music, videos and performance dates through his official social media channels.

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