Always me, but every now and then another human surprise or three...
Influences
Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt, Marc Cohn, Queen, Warren Zevon, Elvis Costello, Daniel Lanois, Peter Gabriel, Jack Johnson, Shake Russell, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Guy Forsyth, David Wilcox, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Reivers, John Prine, Keb Mo, Richie Havens, Ken Gaines, Phil Freeman, Elliot Smith, Colin Hay, Linda Lou, Tom Petty, The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys (and all the artists involved), Bruce Cockburn, Emmy Lou Harris, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, The Who, The Replacements, Velvet Underground, Neil Young, CSN&Y, John Gorka, Ruthie Foster, and far too many others to type...my hands are cramping...
To say that Ray Younkin was brought up in a musical environment is a gross understatement. His mother was a piano major at Radford, and his father led a band called the Young Internationals throughout high school. Music was always in abundance in the house, and Ray was exposed to it all at a very young age. From the sonatas of Beethoven to anthems of the E Street Band, Ray absorbed everything he heard, and developed a passion before he knew how to multiply and divide. At the age of seven, he acquired his first guitar, and the rest was history
At the age of sixteen, he performed publicly for the first time, and shortly thereafter joined his first band. 1995 gave birth to Gordian Knot - a Celtic/Pop group that helped transform the genre in Houston. For three years, Ray was a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and arranger for the group, and toured with them nationally. From large festivals to small pubs, they thrilled audiences with their harmonies and unique arrangements. Gordian Knot released 2 studio albums: A Midsummer Knots Dream (1996) and Jenny Adair (1997), and appeared on a handful of compilation discs. It was during this time period that Ray met acclaimed producer..drummer Robbie Parrish, and forged a working relationship that would transcend every project with which Ray aligned himself. In 1998, Ray left the group to pursue his solo career.
His first solo album, 1000 Years (1999) was completed shortly after his departure from the group, and was received extremely well as a first endeavor. During the next three years, Ray performed at a variety of coffee shops, bars, clubs, and festivals, but still had the band bug biting him from time to time. In 2002, he once again joined Robbie Parrish in The Cry, a melting pot of Houston talent. From jazz and classical to punk and rock, The Cry did it all. The same year, the band released a CD Under the Moon to critical acclaim. They continue to thrive today even as the members pursue individual success.
In late 2004, Ray and Robbie went into the studio to record Rays second solo effort, Take Me Slow. After nine years of performing together, Robbie took the producers chair, and with a wealth of talent constructed the finest example of Rays music to date. Recording 26 songs, they trimmed the album to twelve, with more than ample material for another record.
Houston songwriter Ken Gaines has said of Ray, "Ray Younkin is one of the most prolific writers we have in town." Maintaining such a compliment has never been easy, but continues to be a welcomed and enjoyable challenge.
Matt the Electrician & Southpaw Jones SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009 9 PM (Doors open at 8.) Anderson Fair 2007 Grant St. Houston, TX 77006 713.528.8576 www.andersonfair.com
Just stopping by to say thank you for your friendship and for your support!!! Have a great week!!!
Pre-order your autographed copy of the self titled release by Susan Hickman now!!! Just click the paypal button on my MySpace page or my website. Be sure when you check out, you put what name to make it out to!!!
Susan is the featured artist of the month on MYXER ringtones and wallpaper!!! You can now access ringtones by sending a text message of SUSANHICKMAN to 69937 (MYXER) or join the Susan Hickman Myxer Fanlist by sending a text message of “JOIN SUSANHICKMAN” to 69937 (MYXER), to get updates on news, shows, personal messages and more!!! You can also go to Susan's artist page on Myxer www.myxer.com/susanhickman For the occasion, the Sunday Paper Intro is FREE along with ALL WALLPAPER
~Susan Hickman www.susanhickman.com www.myspace.com/susanhickman.com Yahoo IM - Susanhickman2008
Thanks so much for supporting our band! We need all the help we can get. Please take a second to come by and listen to our new songs we posted. If you like what you hear, leave us a comment. We want to know what you think.
Don't forget to swing by our page on December 1st. We're going to have some great news and a huge update.
Houston, here we come!
Matt the Electrician & Southpaw Jones
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008 9:00 PM (Doors open at 8.) Anderson Fair 2007 Grant 77006 HOUSTON, TX 713.528.8576 www.andersonfair.com
Hey Ray!!! Great great songs!! U sound amazing! I'd be honored if you could check my songs. There's one , 20 Setembro, that's more acoustic, I think it relates to your songs! Best wishes, my friend!
Wow, I'm in your top 8!! I feel honored!!! I hope you guys made it through Ike okay. Sorry I haven't corresponded more but I think about you and yours often. Tell everyone Phil says howdy from the Big Thicket. Peace and Love.
if you've ever wanted to ride a unicorn, exploderize something with lasers that shoot out of your eyes, or learn how to melt people's hearts with sweet music, then you'll love this video...take a look ;)
Here's the link: "http://vimby.com/video/music/us/all/detail/8194"
big thanks to VIMBY and Jon & Jeff Ray for making this happen...i love them
