Ray Scott puts his own stamp on country songs filled with down to earth lyrics. “Drinkin’ Beer“, the first single from his latest (and self-titled) album, salutes the beverage that brings people together and levels the playing field. The humor in the song’s lyrics may remind you of Brad Paisley’s “Alcohol“.
From his debut album My Kind Of Music to his latest, Ray cuts tunes that tell it like it is. The title track nine years ago spoke loud and clear to his wanting to be with someone who loved the same music he did. His father was a country singer and from an early age, Ray could hear how his dad made each song his own. Whether it was a Willie Nelson or Kris Kristofferson original, Ray Sr. put his own spin it. Ray Jr. came to Nashville, co-wrote songs (Randy Travis’ “Pray for the Fish“, Clay Walker’s “A Few Questions“) and was on his way to putting his mark on country music. His outlaw baritone sound was pure country and his lyrics told stories from his heart. The influences of traditional country music (Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, Roger Miller) is heard loud and clear on Ray Scott, produced by Dave Brainard (Brandy Clark, Jerrod Niemann).
“Every song is like a separate vignette in both subject matter and production, but it also exists as a complete body of work. It’s country music the way I interpret it. The album idea seems to be fading in today’s culture, but it’s an important one to me in representing a period of time or a place in your consciousness.”
Ray’s songs take you from fun loving (“Drinkin’ Beer“, “Cookin’“) to longing for the innocence of youth (“I Miss the Days“) on to not always making wise choices (“Her Old Man“, “Tijuana Buzzkill”). He sings about his childhood growing up in a trailer park on “Wheels On The House” (co-written with Brandy Clark). Once they realized they’d both lived in trailer parks, they wrote a song celebrating the spirit of the people whose homes are on wheels.
“It Ain’t Gonna Be You” chronicles the emotions of saying bye to a relationship that’s hit a dead end and only drains the life out of you. You can’t help but be deeply touched by “Ain’t Always Thirsty“, a song about Ray’s own divorce that he co-wrote with Stephen Jones. You can hear his heart breaking as he sings about making love even when he isn’t in love, drinking to forget not to quench a thirst, and medicating when he isn’t hurting.
Ray turns very serious with “Papa And Mama“, a ballad about a young boy who is destroyed by watching his father beat his mother. As he gets older, he plots then murders his father to end the abuse, and the resulting impact his going to prison has on his mother. With each song Ray takes you on a journey, a country one, a real life ride on the roller coaster we call life.
About The Author
I’ve been following Ray’s career since his debut album “My Kind of Music.” His music is true country, nothing like the pop-country that’s on the radio today. Each one with a story to tell like only Ray can deliver. I hope to hear more from him for years to come!