Now known as a “salsa legend,” West New York resident Billy Carrión got his start singing Beatles tunes in his parents’ native country of Puerto Rico.
Over the past 40 years, Carrión has mixed his love of all types of music and his love of people to craft two successful careers and foster a happy home life.
He recently performed at the famous New York City Puerto Rican Day parade kickoff and Boricua Festival in Brooklyn. And this month, the 9th Independent Music Awards gave him Fan Favorite Latin Song of the Year for the title track of his latest album, “Esta Fiesta” (“This Party” in English).
He’s worked with nearly all of the salsa greats, including Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, and Eddie Palmieri.
Now nearing retirement age, his enduring success is particularly outstanding considering that Carrión came up in salsa during a time when many talented musicians were on a track to a tragic end.
“Even if I don’t become the best hit maker in the world, when I perform and I’m on stage and people enjoy me – that’s all I need.” – Billy Carrión
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$10 and a pint of rum
Born in New York City, Carrión moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico with his family when he was 5. His mother sang salsa around the house and his father listened to jazz and big band, but the young Carrión developed a love of rock music.
“Everybody was into that,” said Carrión last week. “Everybody wanted to be a rock star.”
After belting out “And I Love Her,” and “Yesterday,” by the Beatles at a talent competition at a college in Puerto Rico Carrión and two other high school students won and were awarded with $10 and a pint of rum.
“It was for college students, you know? Our professor gave us $5 extra [so he could have] the rum,” said Carrión, laughing.
Carrión went on to work with other bands throughout his youth and expanded his sound into Latin rhythms.
He eventually moved up to singing in hotels near San Juan, then returned to New York in 1980.
But while he stood on the verge of fame performing alongside some of salsa’s biggest celebrities, Carrión chose to go home to his family and career in social work whenever the music scene got too crazy. He has maintained a career in child abuse investigation with New York City’s Administration for Child Services for over 25 years.
Slow, steady, and independent
Carrión eventually decided to strike it out on his own by creating Ombligo Music Company. The decision allowed him to continue singing on his own terms, as well as continue receiving checks on a steady basis as a social worker.
“I know I could be more productive [as a musician] if I didn’t work,” said Carrión. “But I think it’s a great expression for my soul. Even if I don’t become the best hit maker in the world, when I perform and I’m on stage and people enjoy me – that’s all I need.”
For eight years Carrión worked on his first solo album, which was released last April and reached the Top 10 charts in radio stations everywhere from Tampa, Fla. to Colombia, and also online salsa stations.
On July 8, he received an email notifying him that his song, “Esta Fiesta” (written, recorded, and performed by Carrión) was selected by more than 48,000 music fans from around the world that voted online for their favorite self-released and independent label artists among the 250 nominees.
“I was really surprised,” said Carrión. “It kind of gives you a push for the next one.”
Where to get it
The album and single are available on iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon websites. They are also available at the J&R record store in New York City and independent shops in Union City and Elizabeth.
For more information and upcoming performance dates, visit www.BillyCarrión.com.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.