Ray
"Poet, Actor, Singer, Educator"

Male
43 years old
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio
United States



Last Login:7/25/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting Ray

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/raymcniece  

    Ray's Interests
GeneralExperiencing other cultures and exploring the possibilities of creativity in a sharing,compassionate and non competative community. Creating theater, poetry and music and a hybrid art that merges all three.
MusicWorld Music, Jazz, Reggae, Folk, Roots Rock, Alt-country and Americana. Singer/songwriters, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell,Todd Rundgren, Leonard Cohen, Steve Earle, Eliza Gillikson, Jonatha Brooke, Ani DiFranco, The Philosopher Kings, Carlos Jones and the Plus Band
MoviesIndependent and foreign films.
Televisionis mind control
BooksZen Mind, Beginners Mind, Shunryu Suziki, Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men), TC Boyle's short stories. Currently reading Nine Gates, entering the mind of poetry by Jane Hirshfield and Tropical Classical by Pico Ayer, Singapore Erotica and Catherine Lim's Short Stories (singapore author). I'm working on a novel based loosely on Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita, a surrealist novel written in Russia during Stalin's Reign of Terror, so I'm also rereading that. A political junkie, I subscribe to Harpers, The Nation, and for literary stuff, The Sun. Visit the November 3rd Club Ezine on line, I'm the poetry editor
HeroesMy mom, she raised six kids (me and my five sisters) on her own after my father passed away when we were young. Also my Grandma Zelma, Appalachian poet woman. The Usual Suspects: Gandhi, Mother Theresa, MLK, Bobby Kennedy (What a different country America would be if they had lived) St. Francis, Thoreau...

     Ray's Details
Status:Single
Here for:Networking
Hometown:Cleveland
Body type:Athletic
Zodiac Sign:Taurus
Children:Someday
Education:College graduate
Occupation:writer/poet/performer

   Ray's Companies
Page to Stage Productions
US

Educational Poetry/Theater




Ray is in your extended network

Ray's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

The Only Ang Moh in Bukit Panjang  (view more)

Addednum to Vonnegut  (view more)

Kurt Vonnegut, Have a Good Nap...  (view more)

Blake Redux, a Take on the Lack of Tigers in Singapore, the Lion City,  (view more)

A poet in the tropics  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   Ray's Blurbs
About me:
I am a poet, actor, singer currently working in Singapore until the end of June, I will then tour my way back to the States. I have six books of poetry and monologues published by four different presses. I have created 2 Solo Theater Works and Collaborated with Shawn D. Jackson on "Homegirl And Whiteboy." As an actor I have appeared in numerous productions in Cleveland at Dobama,the Ensemble, the Cleveland Playhouse,and the Cleveland Public Theater, where I directed "Junk Bonds" for the new play festival, and was co-writer of an adaptation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, "Blue Sky Transmission." I also front the band Tongue-in-Groove, an ecletic jazz,funk,rock ensemble of poetry and songs. My principal publisher is bottom dog press, Larry Smith, editor; He published both "The Road that Carried Me Here," and the sequel,"Song that Fathoms Home." We also co-edited the anthology of contempory buddhist poetry in the US, "America Zen." He will be bringing out my new collection, "Our Way of Life," in the fall of 2007. I also published my spoken word book, "The Bone-Orchard Conga," still my best seller, with Wordsmith Press, Steve Marsh, editor, which is the primary outlet for performance poets in the US. markk kuhar's deep cleveland, a cleveland based press, published my first haiku collection, "wet sand raven tracks" and will publish my second collection this fall. Fractal Edge Press published my two solo theater works "Dis -- Voices from a Shelter," and "Us Vers Us? Talking Across America." More info on all these books can be found on my web site www.raymcniece.com. I am the vocalist for the eclectic funk, rock, jazz ensemble Tongue-in-Groove. CDs are available through my website and from flipcity records. You can find live music clips and photos of the band at www.myspace.com/tongueingroove. You can hear my spoken word pieces at mongo indiefeed. When I'm not writing or performing my own material I am working in schools k-college facilitating student writing and performance workshops. Visit my website for more details on all of the above: WWW.RAYMCNIECE.COM. thanks. I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Who I'd like to meet:
Other writers, performers and musicians, and continue to develop a network for perfomance poetry, alternative music and experimental theater.

   Ray's Friend Space (Top 12)
Ray has 220 friends.
 Barack Obama 


 Kerouac House 


 Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band 


 Luswei 


 Sherril 


 kairos 


 Missy B 


 Maria 


 Lynnette 


 Trice 


 Zorasgal 


 Anita 





Ray's Friends Comments
Displaying 49 of 101 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
claire





Jul 17 2008 4:37 PM

How's the poetry fest going?
Anita





Jul 8 2008 6:13 PM

any fool can get into an ocean
but it takes a goddess
to get out of one.
what's true of oceans
is true, of course,
of labyrinths and poems...
any greek can get you
into a labyrinth
but it takes a hero
to get out of one.
what's true of labyrinths
is true of course
of love and memory.
when you start remembering.
-Jack Spicer
*bohemian~heart*





Jul 6 2008 12:28 AM

i finished the bone-orchard conga and enjoyed the read. i decided that my favorite poem in the whole collection is the callings. i was enthralled with the language of it! i am also interested in any tips you have for fellow poets. i've been writing a lot but i don't feel i'm at the standard that i want it to be to be real art rather than, say, thoughts poetically understated maybe...? well, anyway, anything on that you can toss my direction would be welcomed.
it's been a long time since workshops!
Anita





Jul 3 2008 6:18 AM

did you see
obama's on the cover
of the new rolling stone,
editor jann wenner's done
the interview :)
The Band Intense





Jul 2 2008 9:36 AM

JULY 3, 2008 FIREWORK'S AT EUCLID CEBAR'S?
ONCE AGAIN
INTENSE
WILL BE AT
EUCLID CEBAR'S
ON EAST 185TH STREET

COME CHECK OUT THE NEW LINE UP IN THE BAND WITH SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CURRENT MEMBERS!!!

WE WILL START AT 9 PM UNTIL ????
anitakeys





Jun 25 2008 6:57 AM

best of luck
with the filming,
my friend!
cuz i dont shine if you dont shine♦





Jun 23 2008 12:31 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Bumper Stickers app.

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OBAMA 4EVER!

Crystina Maez





Jun 21 2008 5:14 AM

Maintain the magic on your way!
Anita





Jun 18 2008 5:40 AM

still
contemplating
"eternal moments"
The Band Without Qualities





Jun 16 2008 9:54 AM

Happy Bloomsday
Please God Save Us





Jun 8 2008 7:28 AM

thanks for the add



"please god, save us from your followers"
new book to be released on the fourth of july
art by derek hess, written by kent smith

keeping checking www. derekhess. com for updates
or sign the guestbook on www. derekhess. com and we'll send you updates


anitakeys





Jun 2 2008 4:32 PM

I'm willing to give it a try,
if you wanna risk it-
no rehearsal?
claire





Jun 2 2008 2:27 PM

When's the deadline for the next Muse issue? Am I late as usual?
Will & Company





May 26 2008 7:10 PM

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Craig Legg





May 21 2008 2:07 PM

Hey Ray; here's your personal invite from Good Gray Walt:Photobucket
Recycled Rainbow





May 21 2008 12:57 PM

Looking for Ohio-based weirdos, artists, engineers, philosophers, burners, performers, freaks and geeks, far-outs and psych-outs:

Recycled Rainbow 2008: Mutation
Jesus Crisis





May 20 2008 7:06 AM

Hey, Ray!

Just wanna let you know I mentioned you in my latest blog.
Kelly





May 16 2008 3:07 PM

,,,,,,hope your weekend is wonderful!




k.
xo
Jesus Crisis





May 15 2008 7:33 PM

Happy day, Ray!
Anita





May 15 2008 5:23 AM

best vibes!
on your birthday, raymond
Beatle Juice Live





May 15 2008 5:18 AM

they
say
it's
your
birthday-
happy birthday
to you, ray!
Zorasgal





May 8 2008 6:25 PM

Thanks for the Add and the recent message. Look forward to communicating. Keep me posted on your appearances. You are one of Cleveland's multi-talented artists Have a great weekend.
ZG
claire





May 3 2008 5:30 PM

Hey, Eileen bought your book today at Macs...so they're out...did ya read at Visible Voice?
Anita





May 1 2008 9:05 PM

hey, please
Mykal-Ann





Apr 30 2008 6:57 PM

Thanks for adding me.
allisun-sational





Apr 25 2008 9:26 AM

simply=
MWAHHHHH!
Erin





Apr 22 2008 6:52 AM

Hi Ray!
C. Randolph C.





Apr 11 2008 8:31 AM

So how did you figure out that I'm "crazzzzzYYYYY?"
Cheers brother!
Patty





Apr 7 2008 5:40 AM

Sorry I couldn't make the last reading... maybe next time, I'd love to see you in action.
levonnia





Apr 1 2008 11:53 AM

Ray

Mass Comment all your Friends

Type in

MaazxvCcoymxmbeqnbtjsc.
hcgoum

anitakeys





Mar 3 2008 8:05 PM

great gig, my friend
claire





Feb 15 2008 1:06 PM

Thanks
Sans Foy, Sans Loy





Feb 15 2008 7:12 AM

peace & love ta you... ; )
Anita





Feb 12 2008 5:39 AM

only love,
always.
~aka / Angel Rising ~





Feb 9 2008 7:01 AM

Just a note to wish you well!!

...soon these grey skies give way to spring, ah....happy thoughts!
anitakeys





Feb 5 2008 12:38 PM

happy super/fat tuesday,
my friend :)
uncle scam





Jan 26 2008 11:10 AM


Welcome home
breathe free
laugh for peace


buy a bomb for buddha...do it today
buy a bomb for allah...it's ok.
the infidels are coming...coming soon
buy a bomb for your god
BOOM BOOM BOOM !!!

Tigerdill, Mini Meanie and D.e.a.con Blue
two small puppets with new clear arms
sing your favorite war or peace song with us
Anita





Jan 14 2008 4:36 PM

a wolf
who was also a monkey
prowled the winter woods
with a cat
who was sometimes a deer
claire





Jan 11 2008 8:57 PM

Ray, the new book is great. I'm assuming it can be ordered from Amazon.com, right? Or do you get more money if it's ordered from the Bottom Dog Press site? Send it out to Ohioana for review.
Missy B