Former Carmichael resident gets music done By Laurav I. Winn
Thirty-one-year-old blues musician Michael Ray has been gigging around town since his high school days, but it was the circumstances of a notably negative fiveyear period in his life that motivated him to take his craft to the next level. His apartment burned down. He got divorced. And his father died. The trio of tragedies could cause some to shut down and give up, but for Ray, the events inspired him to “step on the gas and get it done.” Getting “it” done meant doing whatever it took to go become a full-time musician. He got rid of things that didn’t matter – goodbye video games – and moved from Carmichael to Midtown to be at the heart of the Sacramento music scene. Now with the help of a GoFundMe campaign, he’s gearing up to release “Dope,” his first studio album. The six-track EP, on which Ray sings about babes, booze and bad breaks, is a longtime coming for a guy who’s been breathing the blues since boyhood. Ray’s musical journey kicked off at age 8, when his dad Erik handed him a harmonica. By the time he was 13, Ray was playing guitar in his family of five’s cramped Carmichael apartment. Despite money problems, Ray recalls how his father fostered his passion. One Christmas morning, Ray unwrapped a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, an amp that “probably cost more than rent,” Ray says. “I have no idea how he did it.” When it was time to enter high school, Ray knew he wanted to go “where the best musicians were” and that was Rio Americano for the jazz program. “I just wanted to learn as much as I could,” explains Ray, who could not have cared less about his other classes. Music was already the driving force in his life. Under the guidance of band directors Josh Murray and Craig Faniani, Ray not only learned about jazz and performing professionally, but also about the imValley Community Newspapers, Inc.
“Playing music is my favorite thing in the world. Every time I play, my goal is to evoke emotion. I don’t play it safe. I emote my heart to your ears.” –Michael Ray
portance of “taking responsibility for what you do.” After graduating in 2004, Ray branched out beyond the blues and jazz worlds and gravitated – as many white suburban kids tend to do – to rap music. He started rapping and playing guitar at parties and other small gigs around his Carmichael stomping grounds. Today he lists rappers Biggie, 2Pac and Kendrick Lamar as favorites alongside blues greats Ray Charles, Taj Mahal and Stevie Ray Vaughan. For years, Ray put in time playing whatever gigs he could while working crappy jobs he hated. He often filled in on guitar for other blues and hip hop groups. His hard work paid off with a two-year residency at The Torch Club – the place to be seen and heard for blues musicians in the capital city. This month he opened a sold-out show for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Elvin Bishop at The Crest Theatre. On April 14, the success of the last few years culminates with his CD release
Ideally, Ray hopes to bring gerous, sexy, provocative… evthe tracks from “Dope” to erything that encompasses life. outdoor festivals and Crest- It’s one of the true American size venues across the coun- art forms,” Ray explains. try. In his wildest dreams, Ray Whether onstage at The would like to see the blues ap- Torch Club with a trio or preciated on a “Beyoncé level” standing solo next to a fruit – kids screaming and singing stand at the farmer’s market, along as a guitar wails out on Ray promises a different, “imthe Golden 1 Center stage. Of perfect” set filled with improcourse, Ray would like to be visations each time. the star behind the sound, but “Playing music is my favorreally, he just wants someone ite thing in the world. Every out there to reach that level of time I play, my goal is to evoke fame playing the music he has emotion. I don’t play it safe. I loved since his youth. emote my heart to your ears.” show at The Torch Club “Blues is very misrepresentwith Todd Morgan and El- ed today. It’s become a carica- For more information on Ray’s ement Brass Band, who also ture of a caricature. It should music and upcoming release, visit play on the EP. be everything kids want – dan- Facebook.com/michaelray916. Although “Dope” is Ray’s first studio album, recorded by locally-based Radiant Soul Records, the EP follows his Community Giving Reception “Live at Old I” concert EP, released last July. After the live album, he realized how expenThe American River Bank Foundation will present sive it is to put out an album $87,000 in grants to eight local nonprofit organizations and “do it right.” To cover all of the costs – recording musicians, CD printing, professional posters, Dope T-shirts – Ray is relying on his GoWednesday, April 12th, 6 pm FundMe account, which has The Sutter Club already raised over $1,000. 1220 9th Street, Sacramento Everyone who gives at least $5, gets in return. Rewards Light Bites & Libations Networking, Award Presentation & Raffle start with a digital copy of the Hosted Parking – 824 L Street EP and graduate with higher donations. For $400, Ray will plug in his amp right in Who should attend: Business Owners & Managers a fan’s backyard for a private Non-Profits | Community Leaders | Philanthropists concert. In addition to playing The Torch Club and Old Ironsides, Ray’s favorite place RSVP AmericanRiverBank.com/RSVP by April 7 to play is outside. Barbecue aromas wafting through the Grant Recipients: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) fresh air against the backdrop Keaton Raphael Memorial | Placer Food Bank | Roseville Home Start of live music remind him of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services | Saint John's Program for Real Change | Wellspring Women's Center | Women's Empowerment the summer festivals he attended with his dad. www.valcomnews.com • March 24, 2017 • Arden-Carmichael News