“Central Virginia has its share of bluegrass and Americana music, but an old-school, authentic country movement is gaining momentum, thanks to Ramona & the Holy Smokes. Fronted by Ramona Martinez with a lineup that includes Kyle Lawton Kilduff (electric guitar), Brooks Hefner (pedal steel), Jay Ouypron (bass), and Porter Bralley (drums), the band plays honky-tonk originals in the vibe of Patsy Cline and George Jones. Martinez’s songwriting spans a range of colorful topics, including a smoking habit, ex-boyfriends, and her cat. Piloted by Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard’s “three chords and the truth” ethos, Ramona & the Holy Smokes have turned country music sneerers into believers (I can attest)”