Donna Ray was so very honored to sing a Duet with Grand Ole Opry Star Charlie Louvin, Meeting Charlie Louvin has been a long time dream of Donna's. When Charlie Louvin asked her to sing with him and by surprise the way they met will always be in her heart. Ed Gowens and his Band The Renditions had the honor of playing for Charlie Louvin at the Jamboree By The Lake in Winchester Tenn on Sept 4th 2009. A letter sent from Writer Jim Flynn says it all: Hello my friends, well, you rubbed shoulders with Country Music Royalty this weekend. there's nobody more country than Charlie Louvin. wow, what a thrill that must have been. so many great artists have been influenced by the Louvin Brothers. their harmonies were cutting edge back when they were working together. i'm so glad you had that experience. as long as you live, you can say you played and sang with Charlie Louvin on stage. when you shook Charlie's hand, you shook the hand that has touched just about every Major Country Music Artist over the past 60 years or so. i'm sure it will take you a few days to recover from all that excitement, but i'm sure it was worth the trip. :)
Jim Flynn (BMI)
The Water Mark the Movie, Thank you J.K.,DonnaRay,Bruce Blake and Allen Karl. Thanks also, to all of our friends at The Watermark Saloon who helped out during Mondays shoot . We spent the day June 15th 2009 in Columbia Louisiana for a small part in the Movie The Water Mark. We were greeted by Mark who took excellent care of us , cooking, acomidations at the Bed and Breakfast. While on the set of the movie we met the actors and actresses,,,,, The Water Mark " is a southern based "indie film" shot in Louisiana and starring Lindsey Bates-Torrence , Gary McCormick , Harper Wilkins , Lee Evans , Heather Bassett and Tommy Dortch . We want to thank the Cast and Crew for making us feel so welcome while our stay in Columbia. This will be a "MUST SEE MOVIE" THE WATER MARK MOVIE
Banner for T'onna
Bycicle Ride Video
Donna Ray sings "Aways Elvis, Witer Jim Flynn, Produced By Echota records Ed Gowens and Tim Hicks, Video By Jim Flynn
Donna Ray Blessed Are The Soldiers, Written By Jim Flynn, Echota Recording Studio Ed Gowens and Tim Hicks
Donna Ray Sings Goodbye To Nasville Written By Jim Flynn(bmi) Produced By Ed Gowens Echota Records and Engineer Tim Hicks Echota Records
Donna Ray New Song by Producer and Writer Ed Gowens Echota Records FLAGGED COVERED COFFIN Engineer Tim Hicks
LISTEN TO MY ALBUM BELOW, ED GOWENS PRODUCER AN WRITER
CLICK BELOW TO GO TO DONNA RAY'S SOUNDCLICK
Ed Gowens Echota Records
Ed Gowens is the Owner an Founder of
Echota Records
Located In Calhoun, Georgia
I’m a songwriter/producer and owner of Echota Records and Recording Studio. I have written over 500 songs since I wrote my first song in 1999. I have had over 200 songs recorded by various artists from around the world. At present, I co-host with, Donna Ray, an Internet radio show on Pal Talk in the Go Country With Derek room. There, we have listeners from around the world. Many friendships have been made in this room.
Some of my songs have been recorded by great Independent artists such as: Donna Ray, Charlie Byrd, Gail Russell, The Washburn’s, Bruce Greaves, Jose Daniels, Randolph Michaud, Lilian & Manon, Rick Woods, Robert Shell horse, Richard Draime and Bob Harvey (founding member of Jefferson Airplane) to name a few plus many others.
I feel very fortunate and honored that these great artists wanted to record my simple songs. I also appreciate all of my friends in the music business of which I have many.
I thank God for whatever talent I may have in my humble writings.
Yours in Rhyme,
Ed Gowens
Janes Blog Wrote : I have been very fortunate to meet so many people in the Music industry these past few years. One of the Record Labels I have met and written about many times is Stardust Records, Nashville, TN owned by the late Buster Doss and now owned by Barbara Doss-Brewer.
The 29th of this month Stardust Records asked me to accompany them to the Limelight in Nashville and see “The Traditional Country Opry on Tour” with “The Louisiana Hayride Band.”
Buster Doss & The Louisana Hayride - 1948
KWKH first broadcast The Louisiana Hay Ride on April 3rd 1948 from Municipal Auditorium in downtown Shreveport, LA.
I spoke with Bud Christian the music director of the Louisiana Hayride about the history and future plans of the Hayride.
Modeled after radio barn dances like the “The Grand Ol’ Opry” in Nashville and “WLS” out of Chicago, The Louisiana Hay Ride soon became a hit, not only across our nation and but to the armed forces over seas. A number of our most famous country stars got their start at The Louisiana Hayride. Jonny Cash, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, The Wilburn Brothers, etc. There are so many you need to go to the web site and check out the history. “Louisiana Hayride”® was also known as the “Cradle of the Stars”® because it has made so many artist stars.
Donna Ray - photo by Jayne
One of the newest artists is Ms Donna Ray a native of Massachusetts who moved to Louisiana when she was 17.
Donna is currently signed with Echota Recording Studio, Ed Gowen – owner and producer.
Miss Donna Ray, a member of the Louisiana Hayride, was voted Artist of the Year 2007 for her C.D. “Broken Dreams.” Donna started performing at age 7 and later recorded songs that her mother had written for a demo. From a musical family, when Donna was young her father played with a band named Alabama Ray and the Goat Hill Rambler.
To see more of Donna’s music and find out where you can catch a show go to: http://www.donnaraymusic.biz/id12.html . Donna Ray will be appearing in person at the up coming Jamboree By theLake in Winchester TN Good music from about 35 Independent Musicians from all over the country Come out to this free event Labor – Day Weekend September 4rd thru September 6th.
DONNA RAY HAS RECORDED MANY SONGS FOR MANY WRITERS: (WRITERS INCLUDE): ED GOWENS, TIM HICKS, LORAINE WASHBURN, LAMAR HUNTER, GILBERT BURKE, LEE BACH, ROY COST, DIXON DEVORE, MARTHA MANTOOTH, JIM COLYER AND RECENTLY RECORDED AN ALBUM WITH WRITER JIM FLYNN AND SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF RECORDING ANOTHER ALBUM FOR JIM FLYNN. WORKING WITH THESE WRITERS HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL DONNA SAYS. DONNA STARTED SINGING AT AGE 7. HER CAREER CARRIED HER THROUGH THE ARK-LA-TEX AREA PERFORMING ON JAMBOREE'S, OPRY'S AND APPEARANCES IN MANY NIGHT CLUBS. SHE IS INVOLVED IN STUDIO SESSIONS AND SINGING DEMOS. DONNA HAS 4 CD'S OUT AN IS WORKING ON HER FIFTH CD TO BE OUT SOON. SHE IS CURRENTLY SIGNED TO ECHOTA RECORDS WITH PRODUCER ED GOWENS, AND WAS VOTED THE LABEL'S "ARTIST OF THE YEAR" FOR HER ALBUM BROKEN DREAMS. DONNA RAY AND ED GOWEN BOTH ARE INTERNET RADIO DJ'S ON PALTALK.COM IN GO COUNTRY WITH DEREK ROOM.
DONNA'S MUSIC ED GOWENS PRODUCED AND WROTE HAS BEEN PLAYING ALL OVER THE WORLD FROM MANY DJ'S REQUESTING HER SONGS. DONNA ENJOYS WORKING THE CROWD AND MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY THEY CAME TO THE SHOWS WHERE SHE PERFORMS. IT IS HER GREATEST JOY TO BRING A SMILE TO THE FACES OF HER FANS EVERYWHERE SHE SINGS.
TO KNOW HER IS TO LOVE HER. DONNA RAY'S STAGE APPEARANCE HAS THEM ALL CLAPPING THERE HANDS TO THE MUSIC SHE ENJOYS. DOING WHAT SHE DOES BEST AND THAT IS THE CLASSIC COUNTRY. DONNA RAY ENJOYS WORKING WITH THE CROWDS AND MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY THAT THEY CAME TO THE SHOWS THAT SHE HAS PERFORMED AT. NOT ONLY IS SHE GOOD AT HER STAGE APPEARANCE SHE IS GOOD AT WHAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN HER CAREER SINGING WHAT SHE KNOWS THE PEOPLE WANT TO HERE FROM HER. DONNA RAY SAYS: WHEN I LOOK INTO A CROWD OF PEOPLE I SEE WHAT THEY LIKE TO HEAR BEST AND THAT IS CLASSIC COUNTRY. WHEN THEY TAP THERE FEET AN CLAP THERE HANDS IT TELLS ME I AM DOING MY JOB RIGHT AN THAT IS TO MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IMPORTANT. WHEN I SING A LORETTA LYNN SONG OR MAYBE A PATSY CLINE OR EVEN A LEONA WILLIAMS TUNE I CAN SEE THE CROWD IS ENJOYING THE SHOW. I WANT THE PEOPLE TO REACH BACK IN TIME TO REMEMBER WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THAT SONG WAS PLAYIN ON THE RADIO STATIONS, EVERYONE HAS A PLACE IN THERE LIVES WHERE THEY HAVE LISTENED TO ANY CLASSIC SONG AND THEY GET TO THINKING ABOUT GOOD TIMES WHEN THAT SONG ACTUALLY WAS IN THERE HEARTS. THATS WHY I DO WHAT I DO . I LOVE SINGING TO THE PEOPLE.
I want to thank the good lord up above for everything he has given me,, thanks for stopping by my page,,, with all love to you all... Donna Ray
Album Dedication by DONNA RAY:
"I dedicate this album to my dear friend ED GOWENS who has been an
inspiration in my life. ED you have been there for me since the day we met.
You welcomed me with open arms on your label ECHOTA RECORDS and
through you I have met so many nice people who have also welcomed me.
By the way ED don't forget the snacks. You know how I love to have my
snacks. hehehehehe .. DOODLES"
They were destined to meet, and they did. What a climactic moment that
must have been, when a songwriter whose skill it is to write those tear-
flooding country hits met the star who has the voice, personality and heart
to take his songs to the very top. In my opinion, ED GOWENS and
DONNA RAY are a perfect music match if there ever was one.
When choosing songs for my March 11, 2008 "Tribute To Stu Munro" show
as a fond farewell to the retiring STU'S PLACE radio host, it was NANCY
MAREEN'S "I'm Crazy For You" from WIR-Records that declared our
passion, and "Like A Dagger Through My Heart" from DONNA RAY'S new
album was the cutting edge that unleashed the sorrow of longtime listeners.
"BROKEN DREAMS" explicitly exposes the deepest pain of a hurting heart.
Healing begins when we stare the cruel truth straight in the eye, cry out our
sorrow, and start to feel the joys of life again. We are then finally free to
discover that lasting love and real happiness may be only one ecstatic
moment away.
Congratulations to DONNA RAY whose "BROKEN DREAMS" album is also
a dream come true for fans and radio hosts everywhere who hunger for the
pure traditional country sound.
Thank you ED GOWENS for sending me the album to delight STU'S PLACE
listeners while I was a visiting Guest DJ, and for giving me the absolute thrill
of meeting DONNA RAY through you. She made my day. You did, too!
With love from Canada,
EVY
Freelance Writer
http://www.withlovefromcanadaevy.ca
EVY OF CANADA AWARDS
VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:
PRODUCER ED GOWENS "ECHOTA RECORDS" TIM HICKS "ECHOTA RECORDS" BUD CHRISTIAN " LOUSIANA HAYRIDE®" CAROL CHRISTIAN "LOUISIANA HAYRIDE®" HISTORIC MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, MAGGIE WARWICK "LOUSIANA HAYRIDE®" ALTON WARWICK "LOUISIANA HAYRIDE" LOUSIANA HAYRIDE STAFF,
HOMADE JAM LOUSIANA HAYRIDE BAND, LAMAR HUNTER,
JOHN HUNTER "SIMPLY TWO", RADIO AIR PLAY, LEE BACH, MISSY SCHMITT, LORAINE WASHBURN, GILBERT BURK, GO COUNTRY WITH DEREK,
BRUCE & CANDY BLAKE, JERRY HARRIS "ARTIST", MY HUSBAND & CHILDREN & GRANDBABYS, DAD & MOM & MY SISTERS, MY SPONCERS ( IVY'S CONSTRUCTION PLAIN DEALING LOUISIANA,, TERRY PARRISH PAINT & DRY WALL BOSSIER CITY LOUSIANA, SPECIALTY HOMES BY BRYANT BENTON LOUSIANA, COUNTRY CORNER STORE BENTON LOUSIANA, MY FANS, BUT MOST OF ALL MY LORD AND SAVIOR GOD & JESUS.
Look at these Two Angels below, Arn't they Beautiful, They are Two of my Grandbabys,, On the right is Bridgit and on the left is T'onna, They both were Models for this banner for a Commercial for Abused Children Foundation, Believe me!!!!!! they are so Spoiled hehhhehehehhehehhe
Holy Cow Donna, I was glad to hear from you and thought you had forgotten me LOL. Thanks for the nice comment and you have made my day. I hope all is going well your way and that you are going to have a big Christmas. I missed the big snow in Omaha by one week as they had waist high snow after I returned home. I always get sick because of the difference in their weather and ours. Today has been a beautiful sunshiney day and 70 degrees. Huggs, Gary
Hey mrs.donna...im so happy that i have dustie in my life cause im greatful to have a wonderful family like yall in my life..i love yall...and i love it over at yalls house..you have a beautiful voice and i love your songs..they are very very good...well i just wanted to tell you this....I LOVE YOU..love Taylor!!
I’ve been a music journalist for more than 10 years. Over the years, many artists and managers have asked me what the best way to break into the European music market is.
Here are some things you can do:
Publish artist press releases, news, and tour dates to the CountryHome Forum on MySpace, http://groups.myspace.com/CountryHomeMagazine , CountryHome Forum is part of CountryHome, http://www.CountryHome.de , Germany's Premier Country Music Online Magazine. Everything you publish to the CountryHome Forum will be published in my weekly Newsletter which has over 80,000 readers.
Send me CDs and DVDs for review and set up an artist interview with me. All reviews and interviews will be submitted to the magazines I'm writing for. More information for which magazines I'm writing can be found at http://www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Upload artist videos to http://www.MyVideo.de and http://www.ClipFish.de . Both websites are like http://www.YouTube.com and uploading videos is free. The websites are completely in German. If you don’t speak German and need assistance, I will help you open an account and upload a video for 25 Euro. Each additional video upload for the same artist name and at the same video website is 10 Euro.
If you have more questions about the European music market or about any of the information I send to you today, please contact me at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de too.
Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany
Once again I have a favour to ask of everyone out there in the MySpace world, and I’m sorry because I know these things can get a bit annoying, but every vote counts, and I am happy to return the favour if you need me to vote or rate anything of yours, so… if you get the chance could you please rate my new song “Million Miles Away” on Triple J Unearthed?
Hey Donna Ray! haven't heard from you in a while.. I see your granddaughters are doing great, thats awesome..you and your family enjoy this pretty Sunday hugs, **Sara Beth**