Russell Ray grew up in Galena Park, Texas. In tenth grade at Galena Park High School, he became a member of an elite school pop band called, "The Group". This sparked Russ and fellow "Group" member, Greg Gilley to pick up the guitars in an attempt to further their musical interest. By the twelfth grade, Russ was not only singing in "The Group" but was playing bass as well. He and Greg went on to form a rock band called "RokBergade".
It shouldn't surprise you to know that being in the same band as Greg Gilley would give you a good excuse to spend your spare time at "Gilley's Club" in Pasadena. This gave Russ exposure to a host of country music superhero's with the list being topped by Mickey Gilley. The Rok Bergade endeavor produced an album with a number of tunes CO-written by Russ. The band played locally throughout the Houston area with the likes of Molly Hatchet. Despite many efforts by the band, by the late 80's Rok Bergade had disbanded.
Disheartened by the Rok Bergade breakup, Russ put up the guitar and decided to attend the Police Academy. After working near Fort Worth, he ended up in Sugar Land, Texas as a Police Detective working major crimes. With the music buried inside of him, it was just a matter of time before he came back to his senses and back to his true love, MUSIC. He started singing locally on the Southwest side of Houston. After winning a talent contest he decided to put together a band. He did just that and has been hitting it hard ever since. Members of his band, "Last Call" are currently: Chris English, Dwayne Boehnemann, Chris Davison, and Ken Reynolds. He and his band pride themselves on an enthusiastic show where people can have a good time.
In January of 2000, Russ went into the studio with producer Duane Propes(formerly of "Little Texas") and recorded five songs: Going Down Swinging(written by Phil O'Donnell, Cole Degg, and Michael Calley), Texas Will(written by Joe Khoury and Brent Cartwright), Bigger Than Dallas(written by Duane Propes, Billy Alcorn, and Jeffery Steele), Aloha With A Steel Guitar(written by Duane Propes, Dave Gibson, and Wynn Varble), and Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys(written by Ed Bruce and Patsy Bruce). This project ended up as a self promoted EP with very good show sales. Russ also did a television commercial with Mickey Gilley for the Cowboy Ranch Restaurant in Pasadena, Texas.
Russ has a new CD being released, co-writen and co-produced by Doug Deforrest and Ken Reynolds. The release date has been set for September 15th. Russ intends to promote the new record with tour dates across Texas. We have done shows with Hal Ketchem, Tim Rushlow, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, Bleu Edmondson, Jason Boland, Roger Creager, Perfect Stranger and other Texas and National Artist. If you are interested in finding out more about Russ and the band or booking us for a show, please email us at Info@RussellRay.Com .
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.RussellRay.Com
Track List:
1. Texas Women
2. Corpus Christi Callin
3. Beerholder
4. Girl's All Get Prettier At Closing Time
5. Cocktails In Cozumel
6. Jump In Hang On
7. The Stars Don't Shine At Gilley's Anymore
8. Lost Without You
9. Lonestar
10. Angelique
11. W.T.F.E.
12. Goin Down Swingin
13. Texas Will
14. Bigger Than Dallas
15. Beerholder(radio mix)
16. W.T.F.W.(radio mix)
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
It shouldn't surprise you to know that being in the same band as Greg Gilley would give you a good excuse to spend your spare time at "Gilley's Club" in Pasadena. This gave Russ exposure to a host of country music superhero's with the list being topped by Mickey Gilley. The Rok Bergade endeavor produced an album with a number of tunes CO-written by Russ. The band played locally throughout the Houston area with the likes of Molly Hatchet. Despite many efforts by the band, by the late 80's Rok Bergade had disbanded.
Disheartened by the Rok Bergade breakup, Russ put up the guitar and decided to attend the Police Academy. After working near Fort Worth, he ended up in Sugar Land, Texas as a Police Detective working major crimes. With the music buried inside of him, it was just a matter of time before he came back to his senses and back to his true love, MUSIC. He started singing locally on the Southwest side of Houston. After winning a talent contest he decided to put together a band. He did just that and has been hitting it hard ever since. Members of his band, "Last Call" are currently: Chris English, Dwayne Boehnemann, Chris Davison, and Ken Reynolds. He and his band pride themselves on an enthusiastic show where people can have a good time.
In January of 2000, Russ went into the studio with producer Duane Propes(formerly of "Little Texas") and recorded five songs: Going Down Swinging(written by Phil O'Donnell, Cole Degg, and Michael Calley), Texas Will(written by Joe Khoury and Brent Cartwright), Bigger Than Dallas(written by Duane Propes, Billy Alcorn, and Jeffery Steele), Aloha With A Steel Guitar(written by Duane Propes, Dave Gibson, and Wynn Varble), and Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys(written by Ed Bruce and Patsy Bruce). This project ended up as a self promoted EP with very good show sales. Russ also did a television commercial with Mickey Gilley for the Cowboy Ranch Restaurant in Pasadena, Texas.
Russ has a new CD being released, co-writen and co-produced by Doug Deforrest and Ken Reynolds. The release date has been set for September 15th. Russ intends to promote the new record with tour dates across Texas. We have done shows with Hal Ketchem, Tim Rushlow, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, Bleu Edmondson, Jason Boland, Roger Creager, Perfect Stranger and other Texas and National Artist. If you are interested in finding out more about Russ and the band or booking us for a show, please email us at Info@RussellRay.Com .
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.RussellRay.Com
Track List:
1. Texas Women
2. Corpus Christi Callin
3. Beerholder
4. Girl's All Get Prettier At Closing Time
5. Cocktails In Cozumel
6. Jump In Hang On
7. The Stars Don't Shine At Gilley's Anymore
8. Lost Without You
9. Lonestar
10. Angelique
11. W.T.F.E.
12. Goin Down Swingin
13. Texas Will
14. Bigger Than Dallas
15. Beerholder(radio mix)
16. W.T.F.W.(radio mix)
Suggested CDs:Other Genres: