Ukulele Ray

Celebrated entertainer, comedian singer/songwriter and recording artist Ukulele Ray, is a San Francisco-born native, and has been hailed as an Andy Warhol, Tiny Tim and P.T. Barnum all rolled into one.

As a pioneer in ukulele-innovation, Ray came to worldwide prominence by creating a ukulele out of a Campbell's Soup can (The Warhol Soup-A-Lele) and inventing the "Lunchbox-A-Lele," (a ukulele/lunchbox... suitable for playing and carrying your sandwich and music book) followed by appearances on numerous International, national and local TV, radio, Internet news programs and talkshows, playing his musical Lunchbox-wonders.

A seasoned stage entertainer, Ray is a professional singer, comedian and musician, and does everything from live concerts to fairs and festivals, as well as personal appearances with his band, The KoKoNutz, and his Traveling Wilburys tribute group, "The Traveling Wildberrys," both featuring the extraordinary talents of Lead Guitarist Jesse Stokes and Uke-Soloist Tommie Victor.

As an innovator in integrating ukulele as a lead instrument into mainstream music in a variety of genres including rock, country and reggae, Ray has become the 1 Best-Selling AMAZON® Ukulele Artist for 15-months running with his version of "Over The Rainbow," released through his own independent record label, "UKE Got It Records." Under his own label and producer Jesse Stokes, Ray released 9 albums in 2009, for a total of 12 albums, ranging from rock to reggae, and from country to comedy.

Making music and ukulele history, Ray became Fender® Musical Instrument's first ukulele artist in 2009.

As a commercial songwriter and producer, Ray has written extended jingles and theme songs with fellow bandmate and songwriter/producer, Jesse Stokes for several national and local companies/organizations, including: FreeLife™ International; Saddle Ranch Chop House; Thomas & Friends; City of Tempe; Fort McDowell Adventures; Jack Flavored Rums; The Captain Morgan Show; Fender® Musical Instruments; Nothing, Arizona; Rockstar® Energy Drink and The Hershey® Company.

Now, residing in Tempe, Arizona, Ray is an ambassador for the children's music charities, EarCandy, The Fender Music Foundation and a proud member of NAMM, ASCAP, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, as well as Musicians & Fine Artists for Peace. Ray is very involved in the local Phoenix area music scene and frequently lends his talents to numerous community organizations and fundraising events.

My Mom and Grandfathers; George Harrison; Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards); Neil Diamond; George Formby; Bob Dylan; Sammy Davis, Jr.; Weird Al; Eric Clapton; Bob Marley; Jimmy Buffet; Groucho Marx; and Tiny Tim (God Bless us, everyone!).

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