Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens
Harold Ray Ragsdale, known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian, known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty", as well as comedic hits such as "Gitarzan" and "The Streak". He has worked as a producer, music arranger, songwriter, television host, and solo artist; been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Christian Music Hall of Fame; and received Gold Albums for his...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCountry Singer
Date of Birth24 January 1939
CityClarkdale, GA
CountryUnited States of America
I kinda halfway paid attention to politics during my early years, but the older you get, the more you realize it's very important to pay attention to who gets elected. They can ruin the country.
I saw Louis Armstrong perform at Albany State College on Radio Springs Road. He was probably the first famous individual I saw in concert. Unfortunately, I never did get to meet him.
I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically, first and foremost, a musician. I'm always recording all styles of music.
I did recording sessions as a musician as well as a background vocalist and enjoyed every minute of it. I remember singing harmony with Waylon Jennings on a few songs that were hits. Chet Atkins always put me up so high that I strained to hit every note. It was a lot of fun.
I love what I do. I made my first record in '57. I don't think I'll ever get tired of making records and writing songs and singing and being in the music business.
As you know, I played a little trumpet with Elvis. I overdub a few drum licks here and there on a session, but I'm not a drummer by any means.
I'm basically a keyboard player, so if it's got a keyboard on it, I'll give it a shot. I played a lot of organ in the early days. I can make a few chords on guitar, but that's about it.
If a gang member for example walked from his property onto a footpath from his car wearing his patch, that's breaking the patch ban, its ludicrous.
The government is already into our lives a whole lot more than they should be. If I were president, I'd roll everything back. Everything!
George Jones may be gone but his music will live on forever. What a great voice and a great friend.
The human brain is a funny thing: it's very susceptible to tempo and melody. You put the right words to it, and it becomes very influential.
I'm a terrible trumpet player.
I originally passed on Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head in 1969, so they gave it to B.J. Thomas.
Bill Justis was a saxophone player, good musician, arranger, and friend of mine who had a big hit called Raunchy.