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RAY SCOTT


BIO:
Warner Bros. Records released Ray Scott's debut album in November 2005 to an overwhelming enthusiastic reception. Something new and fresh was on the horizon. My Kind of Music became the #1 selling country album on Billboard's "Heatseeker's" chart that week and the #1 selling album on CMT's (Country Music Television) sales chart. The album landed on the "Top 10 Albums of 2005" lists in Billboard, Dallas Morning News and the Miami Herald to name a few. A year later, Warner Bros. Records stalled and Ray entered a waiting area that would seemingly delay the release of his sophomore album indefinitely....until now. Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Ray puts the last few years into perspective... "After a couple of frustrating years I'm finally free, and the taste of freedom is sweet! The time has never been better in the music biz to do something different. Direct connection to the fans is what catapulted the release of independent albums Crazy Like Me, and Ray's latest, project, Rayality. The last few years on the road playing his brand of outlaw country has paid off and the listeners have responded. With limited air play on the first album, My Kind of Music still sold nearly 100,000 units proving that country music fans wanted more of what he had to offer. It's his attitude. He does it his way. He says it his way. He knows where country music's been and he knows that he's taking it someplace new. His way is the way of the steel guitar. It's recitation and gospel, with a little blues and rock thrown in for seasoning. But when it simmers to a boil and he serves it up in that deep Carolina drawl, you can't call it anything but country music. It's Ray's grasp of plainspoken poetry, unique turns-of-phrase and emotional directness, not to mention wit that appeals to people - the same qualities that turned the songs of Kristofferson, Jennings and Nelson into a movement. "Those guys defined an era of country music," he says. "They left a permanent impression on me that I wear like a badge of honor. I loved the realness of their music. That stuff will always be great, always stand up to time. Those old boys meant what they were saying. They lived it." By the time he was 19, he'd formed his first band in Raleigh, North Carolina. That band promptly fell apart because, among other reasons, none of the members had much music business savvy. Realizing he needed to learn a few things if he wanted a career instead of a hobby, Scott moved to Atlanta and got an Associate's degree from the Music Business Institute. "A buddy and I were on our way back to Raleigh from a road trip," he explains. "I was driving through Nashville and I looked out over the skyline and got this really strange feeling. It was like a moment of clarity, telling me this was where I needed to be. Something seemed to say, 'No need thinking anymore about it, your mind is made up.' Within another six months, I was here..." It was Nashville's strong songwriting community where he dug his heels in and began writing in earnest. He studied the craft of songwriting, trying to learn everything he could about what makes a great song great. People began to pay attention to Ray's songwriting and has garnered cuts from Randy Travis ("Pray for the Fish"), Clay Walker ("A Few Questions") and most recently with Trace Adkins for an upcoming project. "Doing it this way is gonna be challenging, but I've been gambling in Nashville for 13 years," Ray says. "Why the hell not bet on myself?! Bottom line is...somebody's gotta keep real country music alive....there ain't as many of us around as there used to be..."

Latest Articles


Ray Scott Releases 11th Studio Album 'Billboards & Brake Lights' in November Photo Ray Scott Releases 11th Studio Album 'Billboards & Brake Lights' in November
by Michael Major - August 28, 2023

Produced by Jim “Moose” Brown, Billboards & Brake Lights features a litany of musical giants, including three-time CMA Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor on fiddle and mandolin, and Musicians Hall of Fame member (and 14-time ACM Drummer of the Year recipient) Eddie Bayers....

The Country Music Cruise 2023 Announces Lineup Photo The Country Music Cruise 2023 Announces Lineup
by Michael Major - April 06, 2022

The 9th Annual Country Music Cruise aboard Holland America’s stunning Nieuw Amsterdam will feature Randy Owen, Clay Walker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Chesnutt, Neal McCoy, Pam Tillis, sleep At The Wheel, Johnny Lee, John Berry, Jimmy Fortune, T.G. Sheppard, Gary Morris, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, and m...

2020 Country Cruising Cruise Names Danielle Peck as Host Photo 2020 Country Cruising Cruise Names Danielle Peck as Host
by Abigail Charpentier - November 07, 2019

As the SOLD OUT 2019 Country Cruising Cruise sets sail this weekend, organizers are already gearing up for Country Cruising 2020 with The Charlie Daniels Band, Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, David Nail, Ray Scott and Jenny Tolman announced to perform with more names to be added. S...

Justin Kemp Announces 'Hearts Desire' Single Pre-Order Photo Justin Kemp Announces 'Hearts Desire' Single Pre-Order
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 19, 2019

On-the-rise country artist and songwriterJustin Kemp has announced the pre-order for his upcoming single co-written with his father and titled a?oeHearts Desire.a?? The single follows his last single, a?oeBetter Man,a?? which stayed on Hot Tracks for 11 weeks on Apple Music and his well received sin...

Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Among Performers for 2019 CMA Fest Photo Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Among Performers for 2019 CMA Fest
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 05, 2019

The Country Music Association has revealed the initial artist lineup for this year's CMA Fest, which features hundreds of Country Music artists performing on multiple stages throughout downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating th...

Center Stage Magazine and Dark Horse Recording Studios Announce 25th Anniversary Even Photo Center Stage Magazine and Dark Horse Recording Studios Announce 25th Anniversary Events
by Sarah Jae Leiber - September 12, 2018

Leading industry online music entertainment platform, Center Stage Magazine, has announced a collaboration with Dark Horse Recording Studios honoring a quarter century and celebrating the 25th Anniversary as an astute Nashville music industry business. The first event in the anniversary series is 'A...

Ernest Tubb Record Shop Celebrates 50 Years With David McCormick Photo Ernest Tubb Record Shop Celebrates 50 Years With David McCormick
by Macon Prickett - June 07, 2018

David McCormick, owner of Ernest Tubb Record Shop, was recently honored for the 50th anniversary of his ownership....

CMA FEST Reveals Additional Free Daytime Performances On Multiple Stages Photo CMA FEST Reveals Additional Free Daytime Performances On Multiple Stages
by Macon Prickett - April 26, 2018

The Country Music Association has announced additional artist performances during this year's CMA Fest. The festival—now in its 47th year—boasts an exceptional bill of hundreds of artists performing on 11 stages throughout downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10....

Dolly Parton & More React to Passing of Music Legend Glen Campbell
by Caryn Robbins - August 09, 2017

Six-time Grammy winner Glen Campbell Glen Campbell, whose many hits including 'Rhinestone Cowboy,' 'Wichita Lineman' and 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix,' passed away Tuesday, August 7th at the age of 81....

Ray Scott's New Album 'Guitar For Sale' Available Now
by Caryn Robbins - June 09, 2017

Ray Scott's guitar may not actually be for sale, but fans can purchase his brand-new album, Guitar For Sale, today on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and at RayScott.com. The project, already garnering praise from critics and fans, features 11 songs penned/co-penned by Scott including current single “Li...

CMA Fest, Vince Gill, Johnny Lee, Ray Scott, Jason Aldean And Many More Featured In The Newest Episode Of 'The Pickup'
by Caryn Robbins - June 02, 2017

Continuing the tradition of bringing you the latest news in country music, the latest episode of "The Pickup" features a look inside CMA Fest, Vince Gill's latest musical pairing, Johnny Lee still lookin' for love, Ray Scott's latest album, and so much more of country's top stories....












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