About us

GTS (GOT THE SOUL)

Got the Soul (GTS Band) has been entertaining audiences for almost 40 years. We have performed over 200 weddings, 1 divorce, 300 concerts and 500 plus club dates. We are one of the bay areas finest R and B reviews and also play Salsa and our brand of Latin-Soul Music. Here is short history of the band. Please see the media page for audio and visual samples of the band.

Short history of the band

LIFE IS A GAME, MUSIC BRINGS FAME (HANK ODEN,1978)

Richmond High Jazz Band 1974

Here is where it all started. Rick Ramos organized a band using members of the Richmond High School Jazz Band. This band would be known as “the Third Rail” after the power rail on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system.

Third Rail 1974

The band consisted of

•Hank Oden-congas and lead vocals
•Andy Soto-sax
•Tom Fuglestad-trumpet
•Ron Vallo on Trombone
•Michael Baldwin : Drums,
•Jess Gonzales: Bass,
•Geof Glibas : Keyboards
•Rick Ramos on guitar

Natural Impulse 1976

Due to legal issues with the name Third Rail the band changed its name to ”Natural Impulse.

•The band started to write and produce original music and recorded
•Motion Potion
•Let’s stay together

Natural Impulse band (NIB)

In 1976 NIB backed up Lady Bianca and learned about choreography, vocal arranging and showmanship. We recorded “She went Away” and ”The time is right” That 45 went to London with a local DJ and became a hit in 1978.

GTS established 1983

Rick Ramos met TW Johnson at Brennan’s Irish pub. Both had been police officers for a number of years and missed playing music. They created a list of musicians and got the band together.

Rick had been playing with Tommy Nunnelly and brought him in as lead vocalist. He also brought in Tom Fuglestad and Andy Soto on horns andT W brought in John Harlin on Bass.

GTS and Lou’s Pier 47

In 1983 we performed almost weekly at Laura Gillespie’s club in fisherman’s wharf, Lou’s Blues, pier 47.

•With support from local celebrities like Malou Nubla the band caught great gigs in Vegas, all over the bay area and even in Southern California.

Latin soul Project (LSP)

2000-Its was time for a change and Rick Ramos learned to play Cuban Tres. The band recorded a Latin music CD with the help of Grammy Award winner Julius Melendez (Santana), who encouraged us to write Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha and Boleros.

Early LSP members

Early members of the band included;
Julius Melendez
Susa Hart
Tommy Nunnelly
Walter Hughes
TW Johnson
Jon Harlin
Rick Ramos

2004 Tour to Europe

The band enjoyed the support of Latin Music Legend Pete “pops” Escovedo who loved our CD.

We traveled to Europe for a short tour of Paris and Amsterdam with the help of many local legends including Carlos Santana and his road manager Kevin Chisolm who allowed TW and Rick to visit him while on tour in Europe.

GTS: Back to the basics

During the pandemic we realized we have a huge catalog of original songs, and we need to share with the world.

Epsilon Records in the UK gave Rick a record deal for some old NIB music and asked if the band could tour in summer 2023.

We are currently rehearsing our music with the band and are coming to a venue near you.

Please check out the media and discography page to listen to and purchase music.