What inspires an artist or a musician?

1935
  • My father is second from the right.  I had three uncles, including Uncle Uncle Rafael (in the middle with the sunglasses) whom I was named after. My grandfather, grandmother and father were all native Cubans.

    My father is second from the right.  I had three uncles, including Uncle Uncle Rafael (in the middle with the sunglasses) whom I was named after. My grandfather, grandmother and father were all native Cubans.

Grandparents, father and uncles.
Havana, Cuba
1936
  • My Mother is in the front row on the far left. My mother was born in Cuba.

    My Mother is in the front row on the far left. My mother was born in Cuba.

Grandparents, mother, aunt and uncles. My grandfather and grandmother immigrated to Cuba from the Canary Islands.
Havana, Cuba
1948
  • Mom waited 8 years for my father to graduate from School of Medicine at University of Havana

    Mom waited 8 years for my father to graduate from School of Medicine at University of Havana

My parents have a Catholic Military-Style Wedding.
Havana, Cuba
1954
  • My father at his desk. His office was located on one end of the building and our living quarters on the other end.

    My father at his desk. His office was located on one end of the building and our living quarters on the other end.

  • The Naroca Building standing 12 stories high across the street from Havana Bay, downtown Havana.

    The Naroca Building standing 12 stories high across the street from Havana Bay, downtown Havana.

  • As an OB-Gyn, my father has delivered thousands of babies, including my two boys and most of our extended family.

    As an OB-Gyn, my father has delivered thousands of babies, including my two boys and most of our extended family.

My father established his private practice (and our family home) on the first floor of the Naroca Building - a landmark building on corner of Linea and Paseo, Vedado – across from the Havana Harbor.
Havana, Cuba
1958
  • Shortly after this picture was taken, my parents left my sisters and I, fleeing to Florida.

    Shortly after this picture was taken, my parents left my sisters and I, fleeing to Florida.

My last picture of my family together in Cuba. My father and mother and 2 sisters.I’m the little guy in the middle.
Havana, Cuba
Early 1959
  • Little did my father know, just how much life was going to change on our beloved island.

    Little did my father know, just how much life was going to change on our beloved island.

After a violent military coup in 1959, Castro assumed military and political power as Cuba's Prime Minister.
Havana, Cuba
Nov. 1959
  • At 4 years of age, I was among those known as

    At 4 years of age, I was among those known as "Peter Pan Kids," temporarily separated from our parents by the communist government. (oh, and that is our dog, Coffee)

My sisters and I were left in the care of my grandparents as my mother and father fled to Florida to get established.
Havana, Cuba
1960
  • Notice my dad, (we called him Papi) restraining me for the picture. I was diagnosed later with ADHD :-) government. (oh, and that is our dog, Coffee)

    Notice my dad, (we called him Papi) restraining me for the picture. I was diagnosed later with ADHD :-) government. (oh, and that is our dog, Coffee)

Rafael was reunited with his parents in Florida at age 5. Our family initially settled in with other relatives from Cuba.
Clearwater, Florida
1962
  • My father was very grateful to reestablish his medical practice with the individual freedoms the United States provides.

    My father was very grateful to reestablish his medical practice with the individual freedoms the United States provides.

We move to Orlando as my father recovers from Fidel Castro's career setback and establishes his US medical residency.
Orlando, Florida
1976
  • Not sure what is going on with the stool beside Rafael, but leading worship was a big part of his adult life.

    Not sure what is going on with the stool beside Rafael, but leading worship was a big part of his adult life.

Leading worship at 4th St. Church in the mid 70s.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
1981
  • Ralph and his wife Gail were married at Word of Life Church in Merritt Island

    Ralph and his wife Gail were married at Word of Life Church in Merritt Island

Rafael marries and establishes a life-long covenant with Gail Elizabeth Green.
1982
  • Uncle Bayo on the left, my mother sitting down my father to my right.

    Uncle Bayo on the left, my mother sitting down my father to my right.

  • Rafael's first album cover with him sitting on his parent's dock on the Banana River

    Rafael's first album cover with him sitting on his parent's dock on the Banana River

In 1982, I released my first album produced by Steve Rogers, the son of Pastor Adrian Rogers a well known author, pastor and President of the Southern Baptist denomination.
Merritt Island, FL
1993
  • Rafael with Guitar Leading Worship at the Orphanage

    Rafael with Guitar Leading Worship at the Orphanage

  • Rafael holding a nail over wood framework

    Rafael holding a nail over wood framework

  • Helping lay a new building foundation with wet concrete rake

    Helping lay a new building foundation with wet concrete rake

  • Rafael with the orphanage children (notice the little one at the front staring at Rafael!)

    Rafael with the orphanage children (notice the little one at the front staring at Rafael!)

Sharing the gospel and offering a helping hand around the orphanage with Tree of Life Ministries.
La Entrada, Honduras
1996
  • Rafael worked as a Studio Musician at Image 3 Recording Studio in Cocoa Beach.

    Rafael worked as a Studio Musician at Image 3 Recording Studio in Cocoa Beach.

  • As a part of the Kim Kitchen Band project

    As a part of the Kim Kitchen Band project

  • Rafael holding a nail over wood framework

    Rafael holding a nail over wood framework

  • Rafael with the orphanage children (notice the little one at the front staring at Rafael!)

    Rafael with the orphanage children (notice the little one at the front staring at Rafael!)

The Kim Kitchen Band project, produced by Rick Adams, resulted in a tour of the Southeastern states opening up for such acts as Charlie Daniels, Pam Tillis, Ricky Van Shelton, Mark Wills, etc.
Southeastern United States

Faith, Family, and Freedom

I can tell you, as with many a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, my passions have driven my music and performances for decades. I have spent my life working, raising a family, and serving in the church primarily as a musician/worship leader. I have purposed in my heart to put faith and family first before any job, career, or ministry. Now that I have an empty nest, I have the time and great satisfaction of producing and performing a diverse catalog of songs and music that I have composed over the years and using it to communicate what is in my heart.

My real birth name is Rafael Antonio Catasus. Some call me Rafa, and some call me Ralph as they aren’t familiar with the Hispanic version of my name. I was born in Havana, Cuba, on February 21, 1956.

In 1959 Cuba fell to Communism. My father, mother, two older sisters and I, along with extended family members and countless other Cubans, were displaced from our homeland as we fled the bondage of lies and tyranny of the Castro regime. (The quote is a lyric from my song, We the People Freedom Song). My appeal is to all Freedom-loving Americans. Wake up to what is happening in the USA!

I am the 1st generation of those who came from Cuba in 1960, and the following is the testimony of my parents.

Before Castro, Cuba was a prosperous and democratic society. The Constitution, modeled after the United States Constitution, declared that the Republic of Cuba was independent and sovereign and that all the people would enjoy liberty, social justice, and individual and human solidarity.

The Cuban people had high hopes for their democracy but were shocked and saddened as they watched its destruction. Fidel Castro is responsible for reducing Cuba from a prosperous, respected country to the level of a Third World country. Castro was a ruthless, amoral Communist dictator. On December 2, 1961, he announced in a nation-wide radio/TV address: I am a Marxist-Leninist and will be one till the day I die. He also formed the United Party of Cuba’s Socialist Revolution, stating that the new party would lead Cuba to be a dictatorship of the Proletariat or working class. He said there would be no halfway between Socialism and Imperialism, which was his word for Capitalism.

To change from a democracy to a Communist dictatorship, you have to destroy the political, economic, social, and educational institutions. That is what happened in Cuba. Life was drastically changed when businesses were confiscated, dissenters were imprisoned, bank accounts and safe deposit boxes were frozen, people were killed by firing squad, and many people were simply disappearing. It was a frightening time for everyone. Class hatred was encouraged by setting up block by block citizen-informer groups; children denounced their parents and friends; property deeds were destroyed; collective farms were established; religious and private schools were closed, and textbooks burned.

America doesn’t look anything like it did when we first came here in the early 1960s. America has slowly and subtly shifted spiritually and politically away from its foundation. There are those inside and outside of America’s institutions (academia, entertainment, media, big tech, DC elites) who are purposely fueling the fires of division to undermine the United States by turning it to Socialism. AMERICA DOES NOT NEED A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT! SOCIALISM IS NOT THE ANSWER! America is a Constitutional Republic with a belief in God. It is not a godless dictatorship advocating rule by the State. The Left has shown its true colors; they are socialist trying to re-make America into something it very different from what our Founding Fathers and forefathers fought for.

As an American citizen, I am concerned about the fraying fabric of the American dream, a land under God tearing at the seams. Please don’t let it happen here in the land of the USA, let us not stand idly by watching Freedom slip away. You might think that times they are a-changing and all will be OK, it’s this kind of compromise sends nations to their graves” (additional lyrics from my song, We the People Freedom Song). Wake up America!

In closing, my family came to the USA as immigrants - political exiles, not as refugees looking for a handout. We left Cuba for the opportunity to work and re-establish ourselves. We were accepted by this great country through the legal immigration system and became naturalized citizens. We made Florida our home, and even though there were hardships and struggles as my family started over, we flourished. My family and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunities and freedom afforded to us here in America. Take a stand for Freedom and for those who have shed their blood to establish it and defend it!

My Music Path

Choice is what freedom is all about. I chose to follow God with His help and grace to the best of my ability, and He has given me the strength to continue on a challenging, narrow path that is less traveled.

In 1978 I received my AA degree in Music from Brevard Community College, which is now Eastern Florida State College. My major was Classical Guitar. In 1981 I married the love of my life Gail Elizabeth Green / Catasus, who became an award-winning teacher and great Mom to our two boys.

In 1982 I produced my first Album “Savior of Men,” produced by Steve Rogers. I went on to do local concerts and venues wherever they opened up for me. Though I wanted to continue, I soon found that it was going to be hard to make a living, so I purposed in my heart to keep things local and put my faith and family first. I kept working full time and did the music and ministry on the side while serving consistently as a worship leader in the church. I continued my college studies and received my Liberal Arts Degree from the University of Central Florida in 1986.

In 1987 I began my journey as a father when Gail gave birth to our firstborn son: Rex Anthony! From 1988 - 1993, I was an Associate Pastor / Music Director at Word of Life Church in Merritt Island, Florida.

In 1992 I was awarded Best New Song at CBN’s “Success in Songwriting” conference for a song entitled “Ascribe to the Lord.” That same year I recorded my second album “Go Forth” with Leon Olguin of Solo Productions and John Foley of Hummingbird Recordings.

In 1993 our second son Max Albert was born! From 1997 - 1999, I worked as a studio musician at Image 3 Studio in Cocoa, Florida. The Kim Kitchen Band project, produced by Rick Adams, resulted in a tour of the Southeastern states opening up for such acts as Charlie Daniels, Pam Tillis, Ricky Van Shelton, Mark Wills, etc.

In 2000 I had my most memorable music career performances with Rodrigo Rodriquez, a world-class Classical Guitarist, and friend in Miami, Florida. I also had the chance to perform with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra at the King Center for the Performing Arts during the 2000 - 2001 season. And my wife and I produced an audiobook entitled “Forever and Yesterday,” a musical tribute to Fatherhood, which launched at Barnes and Noble.

During the 2002 - 2004 years, I performed with a Jazz quintet called “Papia,” which means “diversity.” The group consisted of a unique and diverse group of musicians, both musically and culturally. We performed both Traditional and Contemporary Jazz, Latin, Funk, etc., and collaborated on original compositions as well. We played in conjunction with the Florida Institute of Technology’s “Jazz in the Park” program and at such venues as the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, Big Daddy Dave’s Jazz and Blues Club, Disney Village, and Universal.

During this time, I worked at the Kennedy Space Center in Industrial maintenance, Einstein Montessori Charter School as a Music Teacher for the Brevard County School District. My last ten years of employment were with Calvary Chapel of Melbourne, Florida, primarily as a worship leader but also as Director of Latin Ministries for a season.

From 2006 - 2009, I was a member of a band known as the “Prison Band,” working with “Inmate Encounter,” reaching out to the incarcerated. I’ve served in the mission field in South America: Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. Over the years, I’ve spearheaded various local community outreach events at multiple venues in Brevard County.

Most recently, in 2017, I produced my latest project “Alone with You” with Brian Hight of Hight Media. I’m currently working on an instrumental guitar album with Hight Media, a 2020 release.