Ramon Hernandez, born in 1940 on the West Side of San Antonio, is a renowned authority on Tejano music, celebrated for his roles as a journalist, photographer, publicist, collector, and musicologist. Raised by Teodoro and Susanna Hernandez, who adopted him as an infant, Ramon developed a passion for music in his teenage years, forming a band and attending rock concerts featuring legends like James Brown and Fats Domino. After graduating from Brackenridge High School in 1960, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a communication specialist and became proficient in five languages. His military career also sparked his interest in photography and writing, leading him to freelance as a photographer for shows like The Lawrence Welk Show.

Upon retiring from the Navy in 1983, Hernandez returned to San Antonio and began documenting the local Tejano and conjunto music scene, writing for the San Antonio Express-News and other publications. He also worked as a publicist for prominent Tejano musicians, including Selena and Emilio Navaira. His extensive collection of Tejano music memorabilia, which includes historic photographs, concert posters, and performance clothing, was acquired by the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in 2018. Hernandez's contributions to preserving and promoting Tejano music have established him as a leading figure in the field, and his efforts to create a Hispanic Entertainment Archive reflect his dedication to honoring the legacy of Hispanic entertainers.