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Calls are passed by stage techs counting down the seconds until they return from commercial break, then he hears, “Welcome to the stage, Ricky Ayala”. The second his shoe hits the stage, all of the cheers from the crowd begin to radiate throughout the theatre.
Information Specialist 2nd Class Ricky Ayala, from Stafford, Virginia, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) intel department, discovered his love for music at a very young age.
“At the age of eight, my family entered me into a singing competition that was a fund raiser,” said Ayala. “I was competing against adults, and I ended up winning and I kind of just fell in love with it ever since.”
Ayala believes that what drew him in was how music can affect people no matter where they come from.
“Not only is it my passion, my first true love, but music is so influential that there’s not a single person in this world that doesn’t have a connection with music,” said Ayala. “It’s an avenue that can help you escape from a situation and provide something positive.”
Because of this belief, Ayala volunteers his time to give back to the local community.
“I give voice lessons to the kids in the area, as well as show them how the recording studio works,” said Ayala. “It gets them out of any negative situations at home and shows them a creative outlet that they can take to better themselves.”
Ayala went on to say that getting to see the moment when a child realizes that they can use music as a vehicle to change where they end up is something that is an incredibly unique and rewarding experience.
This yearning to help others translates into his professional life as a Sailor as well.
“Ever since I arrived at this command I’ve felt like he was kind of like a big brother figure,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Randy Barragan, assigned to Ford’s intel department. “He has always made sure that I have been taken care of, and he is someone that I aspire to be like.”
Although music may be his passion, Ayala firmly believes that his shipboard responsibilities take precedence over his music career.
“I’m a Sailor first, and I take pride in what I do,” said Ayala. “Sometimes it can get difficult with these underways and trying to promote my music, but my chain of command is very supportive of me pursuing my music.”
“I think as a leader when you show an interest in developing your Sailors’ personal lives, it allows them to deliver on a professional level, and IS2 is a perfect example of that,” said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Josh Linares, from Draper, Utah, assigned to Ford’s intel department. “I know that when there is a job that I need completed, I can rely on him because he is a hard working and dependable Sailor.”
Ayala offered a few pieces of advice for those who wish to get a start in the music industry.
“The music industry is a very complicated place, and for anyone with an interest in getting started with it, reach out with social media,” said Ayala. “On top of your social media presence, take some classes on the industry side of the house. You really have to educate yourself before you get your head above the water because you can lose your footing real quick.”
Even though Ayala believes that the road can be long and demanding, it doesn’t mean that it is something that is unachievable.
Just like his first performance at the Apollo, all it takes is a little courage to get out there and take a chance.
As Ayala takes the stage for the first time at the Apollo, feelings of nervousness set in. There he stands center stage, about to sing the classic Jackson 5 song “I Want You Back”. The crowd sits silently, waiting to see how his performance would play out. The music kicks in, and the lyrics “When I had you to myself, I didn’t want you around” resonate throughout the theatre, causing a chain reaction of cheers and singing along from the crowd.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2017 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 255072 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From Motown Soul to Making the Navy Whole, by Ryan Carter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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