RAY PRICE COUNTRY MUSIC’S PATRIARCH

RAY
PRICE
COUNTRY
MUSIC’S PATRIARCH
The
velvet voice of Ray Price will never be copied, imitated, or be
mistaken for today’s bubble gum artists who cannot reach the same
level as the one and only voice in country music that is unmistakably
distinguishable with the first notes of any songs that he sings. He
is the Master of soulful ballads, honky tonk barroom songs, and any
song that he wants to put his stamp of approval on. Ray has raised
the bar so high for singers of today that they no doubt will never
reach the heights of Ray Price in his younger days, and the ironic
part of this, is that there is no one that I know who can replicate
his vocals in today’s country music. When Ray Price sings,
everyone listens, because his vocals are so mesmerizing to those that
have been privileged to hear him sing, no matter if it is at one of
his personal appearances or on his records. What you see is exactly
what you expect, and I have been around Ray long enough to know that
he treasures his God-given talent that he has nurtured through his
life. Even now when I hear him sing I am caught up in the presence
of watching his fans listen to him touch their hearts as he continues
his journey through each song he chooses to put his platinum touch
upon.
Ray
Price is responsible for the four-four shuffle that originated in
Texas, and probably is responsible for the famed two-step dance. Ray
is responsible in many ways for the dress code of country artists and
their bands back in the early days of country music, because he
believed that an artist is special to his fans, and they should
always look as good on stage as the expectations of their fans. Take
a look at today’s country artists and their bands, and tell me what
you see. The next time you see Ray at one of his shows, you will see
his band all dressed alike, and you will hear what bands should sound
like-just like their records. You will hear him sing his many hits
songs exactly as they were recorded. He is the real leader of his
Cherokee Cowboys Band, and he has been the reason that Willie Nelson,
Johnny PayCheck, Roger Miller, and Johnny Bush have went on to have
super careers in country music. Ray Price was their mentor. He is
the conductor of his music and a troubadour for country music.
He
is not happy with a lot of today’s country music. I remember when
“For The Good Times,” was released, and one of the first people
who wanted Ray on their show, was Johnny Carson, who became one of
Ray’s great friends. Ray made several appearances on the tonight
show. Ray opened the doors to what traditional country music and
honky tonk music meant to all of us who love fiddles and steel
guitars, and Ray keeps that sound alive with his great band.
A
born & bred Texan who served his country as a member of Marine
Corps in World War II, many fans do not realize that Ray is a great
animal activist. Ray told me that he will not bypass an animal in
distress not matter where or when. At one time he had at his
personal kennel, 26 stray dogs that he was taking care of. Ray Price
is a great horse lover also. But when he steps on one of his two
tour buses, his life is his singing that he loves so much.
Price
was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2002 Ray
released the studio album, “
Time,”
and
I
was very fortunate to be a part of the “Time” CD which in my mind
is the best grouping of songs that Ray Price ever released in his
years of recording. Sadly, today’s radio would not play the songs
because Ray was not of one of today’s new artists and the songs had
too much fiddle and steel guitar on the tracks, but I can tell you
Ray was thrilled.
There
were four songs on the project that I brought to Ray which he
included on the CD, and I promise you that once you hear
“Time”
it
will be your choice of Ray Price music that you will listen to many,
many times, as I do. If you have not been able to get a copy of the
CD, write or email the Ernest Tubb Record Shops and you will be able
to purchase a copy of the best country music CD you will ever hear,
by the best voice in country music that you will ever hear. Time
will always have a special place in my life. The song “Time” was
brought to the studio for Ray, from his writer friend Max D. Barnes,
in the afternoon of the last day of the recording session, and Ray
liked it so much, he went back into the studio and recorded the song
in two takes.
Ray,
who was diagnosed with cancer this year, is now in complete
remission, and is already on schedule to perform close to 100 days in
2013. He has been honored with the biggest and best awards of the
music industry during his music career, but the one award that has
become the most important one of his life, has been his acceptance
that he has cancer and has won the battle by believing he would win.
Ray
now 86 years old will be recording this month, a new project of only
love songs, dedicated to his loyal fans. And who better to sing love
songs then Ray Price. The project will be completed within the next
few weeks, and I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the
when the CD will be released.
Ray
Price is still the most prestigious voice in country music, and is
revered by his peers from all music genres who have placed him on a
pedestal of perfection. HE IS ALSO MY FRIEND.
Marty
Martel©

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