JamesRay
Country, Cajun, Calypso Cowboy, Country Rock, Western Swing, Hill Billy, Hoe Down, Tex Mex, and Classic Pop Hits styles
Auckland Area
JamesRay JamesRay is the genuine Arkansas USA cowboy. You can't get more country than that! Ideal for: dance music for party or corporate event, Country themed event, dance, concert, hoe down |
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| Similar acts in this area: brendon ham, bruce greaves |
James' musical influences are as multifarious as the inspirations of his eccentric and variant life story. This very diversity is at the pinnacle of his dynamic and passionate performances. With band, duo or solo his live performances exude a passion like no other. JamesRAy is the 2003 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year and the 2002 NZCMA Entertainer of the Year Songwriter award winner. He holds the prestigious ACMA 2002 award for Best Original Song, Best Male Vocalist and the supreme award of Best Overall Performer as well as the reciepent of five top NZ Sun City Music Awards for 2003. Since coming to New Zealand in 2000 with his Kiwi lady, JamesRAy has found a unique niche for himself as a much demanded solo artist, performing to sold out concerts with the likes of The Amazing Rhythm Aces as well as co-billing with such Kiwi icons as Hammond Gamble, Paul Ubana Jones and the Warratahs. Performing on the New Zealand national TV Ones' "The Good Morning Show" and numerous radio shows has allowed him to reach yet a greater audience. JamesRAy's career began in the hillbilly dance halls and honky tonks of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee with his 'hard living' 1950's rock & country music playing ex-military father playing lead guitar. JamesRAy was surrounded by the croonings of Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty and many other great country artist of the time. Kentucky Bluegrass and Bob Will's Western Swing had it's affair with JamesRAy as well in those impressionable years. As fate would have it, JamesRAy would have to discover the sounds of Jimmy Buffet and Dwight Yoakam taking him in a yet another direction for his own song writing and performing talents. Eventually making the big move to Nashville, JamesRAy came face to face with his own insurgent influences and the likes of Steve Earl, Jim Lauderdale, Lynard Skynyrd and Ray Kennedy. Finally, JamesRAy got a super dose of musical persuasion when he accepted an offer to join the Bob Dylan backline crew on their world tour throughout the mid 1990's. By the late 90's JamesRAy returned to Nashville to write with gold and platinum award winning songwriters Kerry and Lynn Gillespie-Chater. Then the love of a Kiwi girl brought JamesRAy to the shores of New Zealand where he still writes and pursues the dream of being a country music star. JamesRAy's music has been called everything from Insurgent, Americana, Alternative Country Rock to Roots and Folk. I'd say it's Acoustic Groove with all the influences of the American South. That includes most everything from Blues to Bluegrass. Whatever the listener feels comfortable calling it is fine with me. Look what talent buyers & promoters are saying about JamesRAy: Hi JamesRAy. Thank you
Howdy JamesRAy,, Happy Trails, Hi JamesRAy, Thank you so much for Saturday - you were a real hit. Everyone was so complimentary of your performance and without question, you set the tone for a marvelous day. It was a great thrill for John and at the end of the day that's what it was all about. Once again, on behalf of Kerin and myself, many thanks. Regards JamesRAy, A BIG thank you from Denis and I for making his party such an awesome success, what a night! You were just brilliant - 120 people and each and everyone of them thought the music was just fantastic. So many have phoned me to say what a brilliant night and can we do it all again soon! Having live entertainment in your own home was just amazing, kind of spoils you for future parties though - who can go back to playing cds after that! What can I say but, "Anyone wanting to have a country party that just rocks, don’t go past JamesRAy!!!!!!!!!" Bawden Family Oct '07 If you are reading this it is because you are considering hiring the services of JamesRAy. Do So! “As an event manager for the previous 15 years I have contracted many performers and acts to provide entertainment over that time. JamesRAy’s talent, performance, professionalism and friendly easy-going manner have ranked him with the preferred choices on that list. JamesRAy was amazing. Aside from providing a great musical performance, he showed his skill in reading the crowd and choosing songs that were exactly right to get the guests up and enjoying themselves.” “I would use JamesRAy’s services without hesitation in the future, and can recommend him to anyone who is looking for musical entertainment that is hassle free and of an extremely high standard.” "His fresh approach to acoustic country rock and his brilliant song-writing ability lead me to think that it won't be long before he is a household name in this country.” “JamesRAy is not only an accomplished song writer but also a very proficient guitarist and player of the harmonica. He is an excellent performer and is very genuine in the delivery of his material. He has displayed a high degree of professionalism in all aspect of his trade and has been a pleasure to work with. James has performed at the Mussel Inn and we have no hesitation in booking him to perform every chance we get.” “JamesRAy consistently gets high numbers through the door on the nights he is performing for our club. We particularly appreciate the fact that JamesRAy takes the time to participate in not just providing the appropriate music for our rock ‘n rollers and line dancers, but also in announcing raffle draws, and the usual club notices, PR, etc. He is a great all-round entertainer.”
“I can highly recommend JamesRAy and his talents to any interested party. JamesRAy has and continues to establish himself as a professional song writer and entertainer as evident with his numerous awards. If you would like to discuss his potential for years of vibrancy and marketability further please do not hesitate to contact me.” |
The Variety Artists of New Zealand has awarded JamesRAy with the coveted Top Male Artist Award for 2011 The Oscars of Country Music awards JamesRAy with Country Music Male Artist of the Year The most prestigious event on the country music calendar: the National Country Music Awards
(HIBISCUS COAST) – 15 August 2011 – The National Country Music Awards has named Hibiscus Coast resident, JamesRAy, the 2011 Male Artist of the Year. JamesRAy is the 2003 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year and the 2002 NZCMA Entertainer of the Year Songwriter award winner. He holds the prestigious ACMA 2002 award for Best Original Song, Best Male Vocalist and the supreme award of Best Overall Performer as well as the recipient of five top NZ Sun City Music Awards for 2003 · His latest Album, "Chasing the Dream" was a New Zealand Music Tui Grand Finalist in both the 'Best Country Album' and 'Best Country Song'. · Sony Records has included JamesRAy on "NZ's Best Country Songs" compilation CD along with Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn and many other great kiwi artists. |
JamesRay is available: JamesRay is happy to talk to you about which size band is going to give you the best experience for your event. |
ROCK VAN MORRISON EAGLES STEVE EARL JOHNNY RIVERS Memphis ROY ORBISON ELTON JOHN GEORGIA SATELLITES Keep Your Hands To Yourself CREDENCE CLEARWATER ELVIS PRESLEY ERIC CLAPTON WALLFLOWERS THE WHO BOB SEGER AMA. RHYTHM ACE Third Rate Romance LYNARD SKYNYRD Gimme Three Steps STEVE MILLER CAT STEVENS ROLLING STONES DOCTOR HOOK CHUCK BERRY BOB DYLAN BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Pink Cadillac THE DRIFTERS Under The Boardwalk THE BEATLES GORDON LIGHTFOOT Sundown
JIM CROCE RUPERT HOLMES RHYTHM & BLUES WILSON PICKET OTIS REDDING Trop Rock EDDIE RAVEN DIRT BAND BROOKS ‘N’ DUNN VINCE GILL TRAVIS TRITT GARTH BROOKS BELLEMY BROTHERS MARK CHESNUTT Uptown Downtown CLINT BLACK CONWAY TWITTY ORIGINALS |
ALAN JACKSON BUCK OWENS RADNEY FOSTER GEORGE STRAIT MERLE HAGGARD Working Man Blues KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS THE TRACTORS MARTY ROBBINS MARTY STUART CHARLIE DANIELS DWIGHT YOKAM JOHNNY BUSH JOHNNY CASH ROGER MILLER GEORGE JONES CHARLIE PRIDE HANK WILLIAMS TRACY BYRD TIM MCGRAW THE MAVERICKS BILLY RAY CYRUS KENNY ROGERS
KENNY CHESNEY TRACE ADKINS DARYL SINGLETARY PIRATES OF THE MISSISSIPPI WAYLON JENNINGS Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line WILLIE NELSON KRIS KRISTOFERSON Help Me Make It Through The Night DAVID ALLEN COE JOHNNY PAY CHECK Take This Job And Shove It RAY KENNEDY DAVE DUDLY HANK JR.
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| James Ray - country rock singer solo or with dance band auckland new zealand |
Hi James Hi Pete, I am sorry I haven’t been in contact to thank you and JamesRay. I flew to the UK after the Xmas party and have only been able to access emails this week. We had a great night and the feedback was very positive on the band and the overall theme of the event. James Ray was professional and knew how to read the crowd and I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a country themed event. You have also been very helpful, so thank you for your time in helping organise a successful event for us. Thanks Charlotte Bracey-Wright Kimberley Clark NZ Dec 2010 Hi James Hi Kellie James was truly amazing, such an easy going guy, he chatted away to all Many thanks for your recommendation, anyone wanting a great country Hi Pete, |