And So it Begins...
Smokin' Ray was born on June 1, 1977, high on top of Smokey Mountain.???His Mother and Father were both musicians ( His father played the fiddle, his mother played the accordion.) ?They had a decent life, poor but not without.
As the story goes, Ray was struck by lightning and burnt nothing but his soul. Ray was destined to play the guitar.? He felt it.
From high upon the tree tops the first song he ever heard was the soft tone of B.B. King's, 'The Thrill is Gone'. ?That was like magic to his ears. ?The next? ?Jimi Hendrix, 'Red House'. ?"WOW! ?He thought to himself, "I have to do that". And so he did. ?He studied all the greats, even as far back as the great Robert Johnson. He studied John Lee Hooker, SRV, Leadbelly, Chuck Berry, Albert King and many others. ?Lightning Hopkins, 'Lonesome Dog Blues' scared him to shivers.
Tucked away in a little studio he recorded by himself. No one could ever guess what would come out of there next. His tone could fall a mountain, his playing could hypnotise you. His brain...insane.
Over his short span of playing I think that he really developed his own style. ?Is he Chicago? Maybe more Texas Style? Perhaps Modern Electric Blues? I don't know, Whatever it is, He calls it the "Smokey Mountain Style". ?Whether SRB is playing clean or dirty you can tell it's him.?
Smokin' Ray?likes other music than the blues such as Heavy Metal and Rock,Punk and Country. He is very much influenced by such bands as Metallica, Green Day, AC/DC, Guns & Roses, Nirvana, and all the way to Clint Black to Waylon and Willie. But his true calling is the blues. ?All you have to do is hear his songs and you will be shown.? The Blues is Ray.
Where does all this lead up to?? I don't know. ?Maybe something new or maybe just a blip on the radar.? Heck, He could be a star.......?I guess that we will have to see.
Some day his Guitar will quit burning,
But until then... Keep on Smokin' Ray Burnt.
Available Music is very Unique?The FULL?2nd ALBUM?is to be released soon...