|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Carl Ray has just the country music flair we’ve all come to love and appreciate in the tradition of great country music. This singer, song writer, likened to Vince Gill for his tenor appeal, is bound to make an explosive impact on the country music scene with his incredible talent, handsome good looks, dynamic personality and hypnotic voice.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas. Ray says, “Country music has always been my special love, and Texas, my special place. Putting the two together just comes natural.”
Ray has highlighted major stage performances in the footsteps of Oklahoma greats Garth Brooks and Bryan White. Living in Oklahoma for the past six years he has had a long string of successful performances. He has shared billing on the main stage of the Tulsa State Fair with Wade Hayes and been a featured performer at KVOO Radio’s Annual Family Picnic with Hank Thompson and Jr. Brown. Ray was also privileged to perform country gospel with the Tulsa Philharmonic. His beautiful rendition of “It Wasn't His Child” brought tears to the eyes of those filling the packed auditorium and applause from the orchestra members themselves.
It didn’t take long for Ray’s talents to be noticed and appreciated. A regular at Nashville’s Fan Fair, he was noticed by Albi Matter of Show and Music Productions from Zurich, Switzerland while singing at Douglas Corner. Matter invited him to come and appear at their country festival. Touted as the biggest Country Music Festival in the world, the thirty-nine day event also boasts about having the best entertainers in country music. Among others, Ray shared the stage with Marty Stuart, Anita Cochran, Eric Heatherly and Germany’s #1 country artist, Jill Morris.
Show and Music headlined Ray for a foot stompin’, packed to the rafters, two-night sensation that rocked the over 100 year old Schutzenhaus Albisguetli where the concert was held. The audience never left the dance floor. Ray was so appealing to the folks in Zurich that he returned for another two-day performance on Valentine’s Day, February 14 and 15th.
In Nashville, Ray has performed at the Blue Bird, Gibson Street Café, and Caffe Milano; all famous spots for up-and-coming singers. At the invitation of John Knowles, curator of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ray participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Country Music Hall of Fame. The ceremony, headed up by Chet Atkins, included Vince Gill, Bryan White, the legendary DeFord Bailey, Jr and many other well-known artists and music industry VIP's.
Ray has been a forerunner and advocate for African-American country singers around the world and believes that people of color will have a voice in the country music industry in the future. He has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Billboard Magazine, US News and World Report, Legacy Magazine, Green Card Magazine from Paris, France, Richmond Times Dispatch and countless other print media as well as major cyberzines.
Ray loves people and has a caring and loving heart for those in need. He has done many charitable events and benefits in his career for Huntington’s Disease, the Adopt-A-Teen Foundation and The National Campaign To Stop Pornography to name a few. He says that whatever blessings come his way, he will share with those in need. “We have a responsibility to help each other,” he says, “That is my life philosophy and I remember it daily, wherever I am, and whatever I am doing.”
Ray is a devoted father and husband who lives with his wife and two children, in the suburbs of Oklahoma. Music is a large part of his life but his family remains his first priority. In addition to being the inspiration for many of his songs, they are also a primary motivation for him to pursue his dream of being an entertainer.
“Country is a music of the heart and soul. It’s not just a genre of music, it’s a way of life,” Ray says. He also says that superstardom wouldn’t have much meaning without his family there to share in any success. This is only one of the many honorable qualities that adds depth and character to the man and his music and it doesn’t hurt that he also has incredible singing and songwriting talents.e
___________________________________________
|
Member in good standing:
| |
|
Publicity: Eclectic Country Music
PR _________________________ Domestic Bookings The Williams
Group ________________________ International Bookings Albi Matter
/Show &
Music
| |
|
|
