RAY HERNDON: Livin' The Dream

Ray Herndon

Livin' The Dream

© 2004 Ray Herndon (828999011223)

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Spunky country with jazzy influences in places, and plenty of heartfelt great musicianship. some fun ear movies, and soulful ballads.

notes

RAY HERNDON, was born into musical heritage. Although residing in Nashville Tennessee for the last 10 plus years, he remains an Arizona man. His late father "Brick" played stand-up bass, drums and guitar. Ray's two older brothers Rick and Ron play drums and piano, (respectively), with the nurturing support of their mother Gwen.
Along side his musical family at their popular restaurant and night spot "Handlebar J" in Scottsdale Arizona, Ray had gained the experience, expertise and discipline a skilled musician needs. Word of his talent spread to "Mr. Lucky's", a nationally known night club in Phoenix, where in 1982 he became a member of the house band "J. David Sloan and The Rogues", who had gained local, national and international acclaim. In 1983, on a trip to Europe, "The Rogues" connected with then unknown Lyle Lovett.

Billy Williams, (respected producer in Phoenix, and also a "Rogue") recorded Lovett's first album, using the talented members of "The Rogues", which included Ray on guitar and backing vocals. Ray has remained a player on most of Lovett's recordings, as well as a member of Lovett's road bands. In 1989 "McBride and The Ride" was formed by then MCA records president Tony Brown. Brown had met Herndon through the Lovett projects, and asked him to be in the band for his label. Herndon accepted the offer and McBride and The Ride went on to record three albums and seven top ten singles in the early 90's including a number one song "Sacred Ground".
Despite their success, "The Ride" took a seven-year break, then reunited at Handlebar J's 25th anniversary party in 2001. A new record followed in 2002, "Amarillo Sky" on Dual Tone records, co-produced and performed by its members along with friend and piano ace Matt Rollings.

In 1996, "Me and You", a song Ray co-wrote with Skip Ewing, became a signature song for Kenny Chesney, and has been nationally awarded.

As a songwriter, Ray's songs have been recorded by other artists including McBride and The Ride, Lee Greenwood, Sonya Issacsand Aaron Tippin.

Ray says, " Songwriting is such a high for me. To be able to write a song and see it through to becoming a record is like having a child and watching him grow into an adult.

"Herndon has played on the Grammy Awards with Lyle Lovett, has been nominated for best group of the year on the CMA and ACM awards with McBride and the Ride, played and sang on chart topping records, written songs recorded by other artists, and even rode on a float in Macy's Thanksgiving day parade, which he says was always a dream of his as a child.
"God gave me these incredible opportunities with other artists, and now I'm stepping out as a solo artist".

Ray's debut CD entitled "Livin' the Dream" is released on Rayman Records. Herndon co-produced with long time friend Matt Rollings on "Livin' the Dream". "Matt and I had such a blast making this record together. He's one of my musical heroes, and this project was a great experience and a labor of love."

The record also features guest artists including Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Sonya Issacs and Jessi Colter. "Matt and I wanted to include artists on the record that we had both worked with and had become close to musically over the years Herndon remarked. "They were all so gracious to join me on several different tracks".
The new CD is filled with an array of heart-felt music from the fun "My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis", to the more sensitive like Kris Kristofferson's classic "Lovin Her Was Easier".
(Check out Ray's new video now playing on GAC.
Go to: wwwcountrystars.com for exact video times.)

Herndon concludes, "This is an exciting time for me, there's nothing I love more than playing for people who appreciate good quality music and musicianship. It's what my life is and has always been about."

reviews

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  • You can't fake that....
    author: E M Mckenzie

    Many veteran industry folks have lamented the loss of real substance in today's country music. The poignant union of a Jimmy Webb-Glen Campbell classic or the magic of ambient mic recording; every picker in the same room getting the track down at the same time, no mor-me or band punch quantized compression. The cream still rises to the top. Ray Herndon shows that there are still artists committed to just telling it. His voice reveals the soul behind it, unlike the current disingenuous performances of Nashville youngsters. The title track is great message about perseverance told in a snappy waltz-time lope. Fools of the Trade is a nod to Ray's love of Western Swing and gives the image of someone with pure musical ancestry. You can't fake that. This accredited group of players combined with the genius of Matt Rollings has created an authentic locale for this artist. We can only hope that this brand of music making will become epidemic.

  • Keeping it Real!
    author: Sharon Norris

    This is one great, must-have c.d. I knew Ray could write great songs, play kicking guitar and sing nice harmonies but I had no idea he would be able to carry an album off solo. He has suprised and truly impressed me with his beautiful, REAL, CLASSIC voice that you just don't hear anymore. "My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis" and "Bloodshot Eyes crack me up. "Is this Lonely" and "When I Let You Go" touch the soul. Hearing Ray sing "Me and You" better than Kenny Chesney makes me wonder why he didn't release that one years ago himself. Get this CD!

  • "...Finally!!!"
    author: Mike Breen

    Finally, a CD from the guy whom all of us Phoenix pickers have known as the "real deal," "the genuine article," "the man." Ray's talent as an entertainer, singer-songwriter and musician runs as deep as an Arizona copper mine and as rich as the gold that used to come out of some of these Sonoran desert mountains. With the release of "Livin' The Dream" Ray keeps the flame of country music burning in our hearts. Thanks, Ray.

  • Fantastic!! Its about time this talented man got a break.
    author: J. David Sloan
  • author: J. David Sloan

    Great Vocals, Great Songs and Great musicianship. Congradulations Ray, you deserve it!!!!!!!!

  • A MUST HEAR for true fans of Country...even Blues and Folk!
    author: Ron Parodi

    This music restores one's faith in the fact that hope, heart and commitment can really be heard in songs! I wish this gentleman the best and thank him for his tunes. So "Get your heart right" and give a big listen to this "Fool of the trade", before your "dog thinks you're Elvis" and you "take her leaving with a grain of salt'! Nice work Ray!

  • Spread the word -- this is a great record.
    author: Bob Berg - Air Deluxe Music Group
  • What a fabulous collection of "country" music!
    author: Cassandra Mayer

    These songs are wonderful. For me, a fan of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many other artists of the "Country and Western" era, this music and artist ranks right up there with the big guys.

  • Could be exactly what Nashville needs to survive..
    author: Bob Warren

    This CD is exactly the element that Nashville has forgotten in it's mission statement.. Money has become the mantra for all Nashville record people. Instead of art and character.The same thing that happened to rock and pop.. forcing the independant movements of both grunge and punk to emerge in the late 20th century.. Hopefully the captains of the country and western industry will take notice of this record.. and remember what it was once like in Nashville and start looking at character instead of marketability.. By Nashvilles current standards, Artists lIke Waylon and Johnny Cash and Lorretta Lynn would not even get a shot at being artists.. This CD is a return to when Nashville was about music.. and not about politics.. I predict that by the time this CD has run it's course many of the Record execs will rue the day that this record went across their desks and they passed on it.. And maybe they will have some greens and corbread with their serving of crow..

  • Ray is the REAL DEAL! A great first effort you must have!
    author: Paul Kwant

    Ray Herndon has done what most in Nashville have longed to do...put out a great recording with no musical restrictions. This CD was all done on his own terms. Yeah Baby! Matt Rollings and Ray both form a great partnership, and the sonic contributions on this recording are some of the best to come out of Nashville in years! Some personal favorites on this CD are: "Grain of Salt" this is a hit song and the contribution of Clint Black is awesome. Radio take notice...this will light up the phones! The ultra classy version of "Me and You" sent Kenny Cheeseney back to the vocal booth for more practice. A GREAT wedding song. (a breath of fresh air for those of us who can't stand the original performer) "My Dog Thinks He's Elvis" is a fun song that envokes the spirit of Elvis, Carl Perkins and down home blues. "Don't You Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes" is a classic Lyle Lovett type song which features Lyle and Ray singing their best. "Fools of the Trade" reminds all of us musicians out here why we do what we do, and "You Gotta Get Your Heart Right," "Is This Lonely," are essential listening. Do y'self a favor and CRANK IT UP! Ray Herndon should be LIVIN' THE DREAM and you will be too when you buy this CD! Brotha Nasty

  • inspired
    author: Lydia Salnikova

    an inspired record. smooth, polished and tasteful. looking forward to more music from Ray Herndon!

  • ...A big thumbs up for this "back-to-real-country" album!
    author: Bliss Wood

    Hold onto your hats cowgirls! Ray Herndon is here to sweep you off your country feet! "Livin' The Dream" has every kind of country you've ever hoped for. From the sensitive and tender ballads of "Me and You" and "Is This Lonely", to the All-American empowering lyrics of the title track, "Livin the Dream" and the swingin' sounds of "Bloodshot Eyes", this album is full of everything you love! ...and get a load of Ray's talented friends helping him out, from Lyle Lovett, to Clint Black, Jessi Colter and more...You just gotta get this jewel!

  • author: Ron

    Great writing, great singing, great production. This guy should go a long, long way. What else can I say? He's my brother! This needs to be sent to Sean Hannity. If Buddy Jewel can do it, Ray sure as heck can.

  • well-balanced,well-formed and sung with style
    author: Debbie

    truly enjoyed it,sounds like it came from the heart and soul,the voice is smooth,much more pleasant to listen to than MANY others out there today,all ages can find a song they enjoy.

  • well-balanced,well-formed and sung with style
    author: Debbie

    truly enjoyed it,sounds like it came from the heart and soul,the voice is smooth,much more pleasant to listen to than MANY others out there today,all ages can find a song they enjoy.

  • author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    Keeping the cliches reined in while having a solid stance in the time-tested tradition of pure country, Ray's music goes far beyond the story, the instruments and the rural twang: there's warmth, there's sweetness, there's humility and pride and essentially, a foundation in heartfelt writing that doesn't need outside trends to dictate its course. From spunky, witty, shuffley tunes to stretched-out ballads and love stories to a folk likeness that might conjure up sensations of James Taylor, this album assumes nothing and insists upon its own voice. Country fans, it's a must-hear.

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