From his early years, Owen Rivera demonstrated an innate musical gift. His extraordinary talents led him to share stages with musical stars like Jason Mraz, Mavis Staples, and Graham Nash. Astonishingly, his journey began with endorsement deals from esteemed brands like Soultone Cymbals, SJC Custom Drums, Tycoon Percussion, and Ernie Ball when he was just five years old.

As we approach the festive season, Owen Rivera presents his interpretation of the holiday classic 'Feliz Navidad.' Keen to explore this latest musical endeavor, we caught up with the young artist to learn more about his musical evolution and this exciting Christmas release.

1. Hi Owen, it’s almost Christmas time - tell us why you decided to cover Feliz Navidad?

• To me, it is very special because this song has always been a tradition to kick off the holiday season with my Puerto Rican family. I have many fond memories through the years of this song playing while celebrating, singing, dancing, and cooking during the holidays with family and friends. Of course, Jose Felciano has influenced me the most on this project. I love watching all of Jose Feliciano’s live “Feliz Navidad” performances, and there is a specific moment from one of his shows that spoke to me. He said, “And when I wrote it I wrote it to bring both cultures together…the American culture and the Latin culture”. Being from both cultures myself, I strive to do the same with my music and I am grateful for artists like Jose Feliciano who inspire me to do so.

2. You’ve toured with some great names including Jason Mraz, Mavis Staples, and Graham Nash - how did you find this and what did you learn?

• I did not tour with them I actually opened shows featuring these artists which led to me working with Jason Mraz’s guitarist Molly Miller, talking music with Graham Nash, and visiting Mavis Staples's personal studio to watch her record one of her albums and discuss songwriting and inspiration with her. I was able and blessed to have these experiences because of my close relationship with the Museum of Making Music at NAMM headquarters. If it weren't for them taking me under their wing at 5 years old and helping and supporting me all these years I wouldn't have been able to do what I do today at the level I do it. What I've learned from these experiences is to be yourself, be kind, be humble, tell your story, and when the show starts to bring it.

3. You’re only 16 years old and a multi-instrumentalist - when did you first realise you could sing and play guitar, bass, keys, and drum?

• It just kind of started at 2 years old on my toy drums and evolved from there. My parents tell me the first thing I played on the drums at 3 years old was Ryhmin and Stealin by the Beastie Boys and my first vocal was holding the broomstick and singing Come On Feel The Noise by Quiet Riot.  I know two very interesting song choices for a three-year-old! From there I got on congas and bongos at 4, then I picked up a guitar at 5 years old, a bass at 6, keys at 7, and wrote and produced my first song at 8 years old with producer, guitarist, engineer, writer, rockstar and close friend and mentor Kevin Gruft aka KThrash (who works with MGK, Travis Barker, Gwen Stefani to name a few). The instrumental mentors I have had since I was 5 years old is an absolute blessing. Professional Artists and close friends like Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty), Gregg Bissonette (drummer for Ringo Starr) and Glen Sobel (drummer for Alice Cooper) have mentored me on the drums. Arianna Powell (guitarist for Dua Lipa, Halsey, Black Eyed Peas, Olivia Rodrigo), Molly Miller (guitarist for Jason Mraz), and Rafael Hoffa Moreira (guitarist for Christina Aguilera, Pink) have mentored me on the guitar. I am very thankful to have their guidance and teachings but even more so for their friendships and support. 

4. What music did you grow up listening to and what artist inspires your writing now? 

• While I was growing up I listened to Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Mavis Staples, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, to name a few.  I have strong connections to old-school Stax Records artists. That Memphis sound really has an influence on me. Ritchie Valens and his story and sound too. What I've been finding alot of my playlist lately has been Steely Dan, Chicago, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, CSN (Crosby Stills and Nash), and Supertramp. I’m loving these old school sounds, harmonies and lyrics. Also, being Puerto Rican I developed a love at an early age for Latin Music. Artists like Marc Anthony and Celia Cruz are two of my favorites and were always playing around the house while I was growing up. 

5. If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?

• Do they have to still be alive? Do I have to pick only one!? I think at this moment I would choose Jim Croce. I love watching his old performances. I love his storytelling. He would take you on a journey with his music. I enjoy big stages and 100 dancers and explosions and fireworks too but there is something so powerful about grabbing an acoustic guitar, sitting by yourself on a stool in front of a crowd, and captivating them to the point of silence with your story and your sound. Croce was one of the best at doing this and I would have loved to share a story or two with him. 

6. What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome so far?

• I honestly don't know what my biggest hurdle has been. I just keep playing music and enjoying my life. I’m a simple kind of man, something I love and understand. Thank you for that lesson Lynyrd Skynyrd. 

7. You’ve also done voice-over work and songs will appear in upcoming movies - how do you find the time to fit so much in the diary? 

• It’s a team effort for sure. I am very lucky to have amazing parents who help me schedule out my days so I can fit everything in. Organization is not one of my strengths. I could get lost noodling and playing riffs on my guitar for a week straight if someone didn’t snap me out of it and get me refocused and onto the next thing.  

8. Where will you spend this Christmas and what do you hope to achieve in 2024?

• This holiday will be spent on a road trip from L.A. to New York City with my best friend who happens to be my younger brother, our pups, and our parents. We will spend Christmas Day together in Central Park enjoying some NY pizza slices and hot chocolate for our Christmas dinner. I can’t wait. 
• In 2024, hmmmmm…I’m not quite sure. My music will be released and I will always be working on new songs and sounds so I guess I will just keep working hard, enjoying life, and see where my music takes me…

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.