Héctor Montaner

Hector Montaner is heir to Venezuela's pop music throne. Son of romantic balladeer Ricardo Montaner, who became famous in the '80s for his sultry, dramatic performances, Hector takes after his father both in his soap opera looks and musical prowess. Born in Maracaibo, Hector studied music from a young age in Venezuela's most prestigious conservatories. Inevitably relocating in the late '90s to Miami, an artistic and musical hub in Latino culture, Hector continued his musical studies and began planting seeds for his solo career stateside. In 2004, Montaner saw a professional dream realized in the recording of his first solo record, entitled Amor del Bueno. With Ricardo as collaborator, author, and executive producer, it is no surprise that the record was well received. The title track was well played and charted in several of Billboard's Latin categories. Montaner's second CD, planned for release in early 2007, is a collaboration with Andres Castro, a producer famous for his work with Carlos Vives, Jon Secada, and Ricky Martin, among others. In hopes of differentiating himself from his father's ballad-heavy career, the sophomore effort is expected to be more rock-oriented. Montaner lives in Miami Beach, FL. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez