Rick Ray is like a lot of us, he saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964, and his life changed forever. Shortly thereafter, he got his first guitar and subsequently formed a band. Since 1979, Ray has been in the studio recording music. Twenty-eight albums later, a new release titled Temporary World is already creating a stir.
Ray has opened for notable artists such as Robin Trower, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Shenker Group, Kansas, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, The Dregs, and The Steve Morse Band to name a few. The respect from his peers is obvious and his future looks bright and promising with the release of Temporary World.
Over the years, Rick Ray has developed into one of the most versatile and eclectic guitar players recording music today. His sound, although not defined easily, has become recognizable to his listeners as very distinctive. He mixes rock, jazz, blues, and progressive into one simmering musical stew.
Ray is the prototypical D.Y.I. artist, handling all the recording, production, and distribution of his recordings through his own Neurosis label and then made available through his own website and various internet outlets. The momentum has never subsided for this ‘man on mission.’ His intention was to get the music to the masses and his methods have garnered tremendous success. He has taken his career into his own hands right from the start. While enjoying the satisfaction and rewards for all of his hard work, Ray’s music is a direct reflection of his attitude and endless drive to become the epitome of independence.
While there have been many successes there have been the hard times as well. The man has paid his dues. Ray gets up early every morning and goes off to work just like the rest of us working stiffs, the difference is when his day is done he has something special to look forward to. When he gets home, he goes right to work on his music with the hope that some day this will be all he has to do to support his family. Keeping the dream alive is his mantra and you can hear that hope and energy in his music.
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