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RAY SCOTT
Debut Album: MY KIND OF MUSIC /Warner Bros. Nashville
(Produced by Phillip Moore and Buddy Cannon)
Lead Single: "My Kind of Music" (Written by Ray Scott)
Release Date: November 22, 2005
 Ray Scott is all right with being called an “outlaw.” He does what he wants and says things his own way and he uses his music to get his point across. His voice has a deep Carolina drawl and rumbles like rolling thunder and his music resembles the plainspoken poetry and emotional directness that made Kristofferson, Jennings and Nelson legends. With a little bit of steel guitar, a little dash of the blues, throw in some rock and gospel and you've got the sound of Ray Scott.
Scott was raised in the rural farming community of Semora, N.C. and is the son of a country music singer. He comes from country roots naturally. He credits his father, Ray Sr., as his biggest musical influence and he is drawn to the authority and gritty realism of the legends...like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
Scott attended the Music Business Institute in Atlanta and obtained his Associate's Degree. Once in Nashville, he landed a publishing deal with Tom Collins. He has cuts by Randy Travis ("Pray for the Fish") and Clay Walker ("A Few Questions") but it was his own hard-driving, attitude-drenched song, "Plowboy," that caught the attention of label exec. Paul Worley of Warner Bros.
Scott's studies and hard work paid off. His debut album entitled MY KIND OF MUSIC would make his heroes proud and the musical range on “My Kind Of Music” showcases lyrics that can’t disguise a genuine connection to everyday life. The songs contained on the album, all written or co-written by Scott, are charged with references to the working class, portray the beauty and tragedy of everyday life, deliver some personal manifestos and revel in the pain of heartache. Solidifying his stance as a “working class poet,” Scott shows country fans everywhere there is a new cowboy on the scene.
How has your education in the music industry helped your career?
My degree in Music Business has been beneficial for a few reasons. It has helped lead me to make good decisions on publishing matters, recording, and being aware of radio's role-- just a lot of the important things. A lot of folks in this biz are dishonest and having a good overview of how it all works is not only necessary, but imperative. It helps to steer you around the potholes.
As a songwriter, what do you feel makes a great/timeless song?
A song is truly great or timeless if it makes you "feel" something--puts you somewhere special, takes you back, makes you pump your fist in the air, scream "Hell Yeah" or maybe shed a few tears. We all want to write 'em, and we're lucky when and if we do. That fairy dust only gets sprinkled on a chosen few tunes and when you hear one, you know it.
Which song on your album most closely reflects you personally or your life story?
Tough question...
Since I wrote every song on my album there are autobiographical aspects to all of them. You draw from life experience and you embellish for extra flavor. "Makin' My Way,” "Plowboy” and "Gypsy" are probably more attuned to my "life story," but they all have something personal in there.
Of all the songs in the world, what song do you wish you had written and/or recorded?
There are a few songs I'd have written or recorded...."Someday" by Steve Earle describes my experience as a teenager in a small town to a "T". It was the first song I connected with on a deep level like that, but there have been a few more since. "A Boy Named Sue" by the great Shel Silverstein is another one I wish I'd written—it’s such a well-crafted, great story. It definitely inspired a style of songwriting in me that I go to from time to time. I hope I do it justice.
Is there a particular song by any of the legendary influences you refer to that you would like to re-record? Of those influences, whom would you most like to work with?
Big & Rich recently recorded a duet with Billy Jo Shaver. It’s a song called "Live Forever," which has always been one that speaks to me in a such a spiritual sense and Billy Jo is one of those Cowboy poets who really knows how to put a great song together...That one is at the top of my list. It's hard to say who the main guy I'd love to work with would be, but here's a few who'd be on the short list: Billy Jo Shaver, Merle Haggard, John Prine, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon, and Johnny. Any of those guys would be great. Oh, and Willie.... Sorry.... must be that short-term memory.
You make mention in your bio that "you listen to their music and you get who they are." How do you personally describe your music? And after hearing your music, how is it that you hope for the listener to then describe you?
I describe my music as hopefully being in the same vein as some of my heroes. It's real. It's all about who I am, what makes me tick, what I believe, what hurts me and what makes me happy. It's a straight ahead lyric with a drivin' groove. It's a little traditional, a little retro, but it ain't your grandaddy's country music...but he might have liked it. I just hope that folks would describe my music somewhat like that and I'd hope they'd say...."Now that's what I've been missin!"
When will you feel like you have "made it?"
I've reached the top of a handful of mountains in this business so far and every step upward is more proof that you never really feel like you've "Done it all.” I just hope that people will enjoy what I do for many years. Making a statement like "I've made it" could be more like famous last words in a lot of situations. Let's just say I'll feel like I've "made it" when they read my epitaph...God Willin’.
Tour Dates:
11/29/05 Ocala, FL Ocala Civic Theater
12/2/05 Nashville, TN Wildhorse Saloon
1/21/06 Raleigh, NC Longbranch Saloon
Booking Information:
Brad Bissell/Creative Artists Agency/(615) 383-8787/bbissell@caa.com
Publicity Information:
Jules Wortman/Warner Bros. Records/nash.publicity@wbr.com |
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