Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon and Willie and the Boys, George Jones, George Strait, Randy Travis, Chris Dubois, Hank Williams, Gillian Welch, Satchel Jones, Wilco, Son Volt, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Nick Cave, those guys after the sorghum festival outside Sonora when I was twelve, AND pretty much everything I've ever heard and everyone I've ever shared a stage with.
Sounds Like
Steve Earle with more pop and less scratch, or Brad Paisley with more passion and less gloss, or maybe, just maybe, I might sound like me.
I was born in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve been a musician since the day my Mom finally got me an electric guitar when I was ten. But the musical road I’ve traveled is as twisted as those back roads we used to drive going to visit my Grandmother in Stearns Kentucky down near the Tennessee border… we’d be listening to Waylon, Willie, Johnny, and the Statler Brothers the whole drive. I was in all kinds of bands starting around 13, playing southern rock, country, top 40 and blues, then turning off into metal, jam and art rock. Eventually Stravinsky and Beethoven caught my ear and I decided to go to school (University of Louisville) and try to find out what made them tick. While I was there, besides playing classical guitar at weddings and receptions, I sang in Guerrilla Theater and played bass in The Goddess Fred. I got into the Grad program at University of Michigan, won some awards, wrote for a couple orchestras (Albany Symphony and Tulsa Philharmonic) and finished a DMA with the first concept album ever accepted as a dissertation (Freak Show). Then I formed CityGoat, a roots-americana band with my friend Erik Santos. After four fantastic years and three albums with them (the last is still unreleased), the hills of Kentucky called me back home. I’ve returned to my roots, to songs that are direct, powerful and funny a lot of the time, to the valley... to my old Kentucky roads.
My new record just came out this week on I-Tunes and CD Baby. I have included a video talking about the record, hope you enjoy it! Please leave us some feedback to let us know what you think! Thanks for your support.
-Ray Stephenson
PS: This album would make a great stocking stuffer ;)
MUSIC THAT MATTERS KY, VA and WV Compilation Album ALMOST COMPLETE. What an honor for us to work with the great INDY POWER while serving a cause. Its been great to see artists and fan bases unite to energize the music scene over-all while making a differance and the Music Matter!!!! 24 artists and counting as we near our mastering date on July 25th. THANK YOU
PA COMPILATION ALBUM COMPLETE. PA ARTISTS JOIN NASHVILLE ALL-STARS to MAKE THE MUSIC MATTER!!!!!! Joining Tayler Swift, Linda Davis, The Statlers, The Kentucky Headhunters, Bryan white and more are PA. ARTIST"S Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers, The Fabulous Gunslingers, Wind Ryder, Alan Chewning, Steeltown, Rob Vance, Ruff Creek, Jake Lewis, Kortney Jean, Curtis Beckman, Cathy Stewart, The Zuke Band, Melissa Morris. PLEASE SUPPORT THESE GREAT ARTIST''S - They use their gift to make a differance. GET A COPY OF THIS ALBUM FROM THEM NOW. THANK YOU PA !!!!!!!!!!!!
WAY TO GO KY, VA and WV - COMPILATION ALBUM. LINE UP CONTINUES TO GROW AS MUSIC PEERS UNITE TO MAKE MUSIC MATTER. Joining the growing line-up are. Shane devon, Calvin Ray, Allison Stafford, Ryan Ross, Melissa Morris, Morgan White, Mike Dahl, Lisa Crum, Alison Sky, Tyrone Cotton, Jeremy Adkins, Miranda Kissicle Deem, Moore And Preston, Kathleen Coffee, Tyler Warden, Patrick Michaels. What an honor to get to work with you all and to indroduce all to each others fan bases to spread the word and the music. More names to be listed on the compilation album soon. THANK YOU FOR USING THE GIFT TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE.
...been watching Louisville on the news... GLAD YOU HAVE POWER AGAIN! I know how "no power" SUCKS... We just went through it 4 months ago with two hurricanes... We had generators when gas was EXPENSIVE! UHG! Well, keep warm, my friend! kk
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