Biography
The name of the band has roots from a musical family heritage, starting in the ‘40s, where you could hear in their country, Guatemala, Central America, The Marimba Band “LOS RANAS” (Spanish for “The Frogs”) formed by their grandparents, parents and uncles.
Then, in the ‘80s “EL GRUPO RANA” (Spanish for “The Frog Band”) is created by their parents and uncles. They created ideas more modern, within the tropical category, especially with their rhythm SOCA.
In the year 2000, Ovi-G and the FROGGIES, comes in. Formed by the 3rd generation of this musical family, having ideas of making a mix with all the above: MARIMBA, SOCA, and TROPICAL.
OVI-G, Ovidio Giron, who is the musical director of this band, has formed part of many well-known bands in Guatemala and El Salvador, being his greatest accomplishment the Band “Grupo Rana” from Guatemala, as founder and owner, singer, drummer, musical director, composer and arranger and also making national (Guatemala) and international hits that after 20 years are still being heard today in many radio stations. He now lives in New Orleans, where he has been part of many local bands, and with his 3 children, now young adults, have formed this new band Ovi-G and the Froggies, who initiate from their home, musically guided by him.
The Froggies.
Michelle, Susseth, and Ovi-J, are Ovi-G’s children. Before the band was created they served musically with their father in different local churches, and in many different private and public events with folklore music from their country, including the Marimba. But in the year 2005 they realized they had a band, and decided to named the band Ovi-G and the Little Froggies, following their family’s heritage and participated for the first time and with great achievement, in the “FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL”. They eventually changed their name to Ovi-G and The Froggies. They have also been part of The Jazz Fest, The Baton Rouge International Festival, The Gretna Fest, Celebration Latina, Fiesta Latina, The City Park and Botanic Garden, Los Isleños Festival, The Tomato Festival, Carnaval Latino, Festival Latino in Baton Rouge, Natchez Steamboat Latin Party hosted by a local Spanish Radio, Heritage Month Celebration, Bayou Bacchanal.
Every year, they have the privilege to volunteer in-Home for the elderly-Relay for life for the Cancer-Charity events for the poor children in Central America.
Over the years they’ve gotten the opportunity to travel a lot inside Louisiana including Baton Rouge, Hammond, Slidell, New Orleans, Covington, Bogalusa, etc, and also out of state with their original music to places like Alabama, Mississippi, Los Angeles California, Maryland, Washington, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Dallas, Corpus Christi, and Houston. They also went to Canada for The “Servus Heritage Festival”, which is one of the biggest festivals in the world.
Recently, due to the publics request of Ovi-G’s original music in his country, The Froggies were invited to Guatemala’s National Telethon, where over 20 millions dollars was raised to help care for many institutions around the country for the disabled children.
Ovi-G and the Froggies specialize in playing a variety of different music and styles, from Spanish to classic oldies and also a variety in Caribbean music. Besides festivals and special events, they participate in private events, weddings, fundraisers, etc.
Today, they have released their first CD, with 10 songs, where they have original music like “Dime Quien les Ganara (Who Dat?!)” which was a single used for the radio when the Saints won the Super bowl. They also did a song dedicated to New Orleans, “Soca in New Orleans”, with a music clip recorded in downtown New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Currently, you can find them in different and many events around town, and they keep recording new music for everyone to enjoy.