Luis Rafael Valdez Vargas (born May 23, 1961) is a Dominican musician, singer and composer. He became involved in popular music after meeting a local musician who taught him how to play guitar. 　　Vargas was born in 1961 in Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Monte Cristi province. He grew up in a poor household. He became involved in bachata music after meeting a local musician who taught him how to play guitar. He developed his style with influences from Blas Durán and Eladio Romero Santos.