Carl Ray and The Bluegrass Hummingbirds Bluegrass Band from Mableton, GA

Carl Ray has just the country music flair we’ve all come to love and appreciate in the tradition of great country music. This singer, song writer, likened to Vince Gill for his tenor appeal, has made a great impact on the country music scene with his incredible talent, handsome smile, dynamic personality, and hypnotic voice. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, this ex Coca-Cola Executive has highlighted the major stage as a young person while opening the stage for The Spinners, BB King, Teddy Pendergrass, and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. As his musical interest developed and expanded, Ray began writing more of his own songs, and he was soon discovered by Reggae International Artist, Johnny Nash. It was Ray’s relationship with Nash that led this young prodigy and developed his love for country music. He eventually penned songs for Nash on Epic and London Records titled “You’re the One”, “We’ve Got Trouble”, “Sing World A Love Song” and “Baby You’re Mine”. Ray’s song “Baby I believe In You” was also recorded by jazz artist Bill Summers and Summers Heat. Ray recorded two CD’s on his own: “I Love Country Music” and “Play That Country Music Black Boy”. Since then he has shared billing on the main stage of the Tulsa State Fair with Wade Hayes, Hank Thompson, and Junior Brown and also performed with the Tulsa Philharmonic. He has recorded with Nash, Brook Benton, and joined forces with honky-tonk crooner David Ball to write record a “Text Book Case On What Not To Do”. It didn’t take long for Ray’s talent to be noticed and appreciated. A regular at Nashville’s Fan Fair, now the CMA Festival, he was noticed while singing at Douglas Corner by Albi Matter of Show and Music Productions from Zurich, Switzerland. Matter invited him to come and appear at their country festival, touted as the biggest Country Music Festival in the world, the thirty-nine day event also boasts about having the best entertainers in country music. Among others, Ray has shared the same bill with Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Jason Aldean, Wade Hayes, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, The Del McCourry Band among others. He has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Billboard Magazine, US News and World Report, Legacy Magazine, Green Card Magazine (Paris, France), Richmond Times Dispatch, Denver Post and countless other print media as well as major cyber zines. Ray has just finished his first Blue Grass Gospel record and in his words “it was a labor of love”. The CD, titled Coming Home, was produced by Ray and Grammy Award Winner Greg Cole, who has previously worked with Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Darryl Singletary, and Ray Price among others. Carl Ray’s pilgrimage to Bluegrass Gospel has been a long time coming and he is excited to have several Bluegrass pickers join him such as: Darrin Vincent on bass brother of Rhonda Vincent, Seth Taylor on Acoustic and Mandolin, BJ Cherryholmes on Fiddle, Josh Swift on Dobro, Jesse Baker on banjo and Aaron McCune singing bass. Rhonda Vincent , The Queen of Bluegrass” joins Ray on a duet performing “The Old Rugged Cross”. Ray believes this is his best musical work because this Gospel Bluegrass allows him to share his faith and Bluegrass with the world. Carl Ray and The Bluegrass Hummingbirds are excited about their new journey.