Brian Ray

Infobox musical artist
Name = Brian Ray


Img_capt =
Background =
Birth_name = Brian Thomas Ray
Born = birth date and age|1955|1|4
Origin = California, United States
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar,
Genre = Rock
Occupation = Singer-songwriter, musician, record label owner
Years_active =
Label = Whooray Records
URL = [http://www.brianray.com/]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Brian Thomas Ray (born January 4, 1955) is an American session musician, musical director, rock guitarist and songwriter.

Early Life

Brian Ray grew up in Southern California. His elder sister Jean's (born 1940) record collection spurred his interest in rock music. In the 1960s, she sang in the folk group the New Christy Minstrels, then continued in the folk duo "Jim and Jean", with Jim Glover.

Career

Early Years

In 1973, shortly after graduating high school, Ray became the guitarist and musical director for blues legend Etta James, a predecessor for other impressive jobs, such as musical director for Rita Coolidge, and guitarist for Johnny Hallyday. In addition to these accomplishments, Ray co-wrote Smokey Robinson's hit "One Heartbeat" (1987), which to this day has received over 2,000,000 airplays.

Paul Mccartney

In 2002, Ray's friend and fellow Johnny Hallyday bandmate, drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., told him that Paul McCartney was in search of a guitarist who could easily switch to bass between songs, a talent that Ray possessed after professing to learn a new instrument as a New Year's resolution. After meeting with McCartney's producer David Kahne, Ray joined McCartney's band for the tour in support of his McCartney's "Driving Rain" album.

The "My Band" of Paul McCartney continued on to tour Mexico and Japan as part of the "Driving" tour. They continued after the "Back in the US" 2nd leg in 2002, and made their way to Europe, playing the legendary concert in Moscow's Red Square. The "Back in the World" tour concluded with a show at the Glastonbury Festival in Britain.

McCartney's US Tour 2005 was a major success. "My Band" had a sell-out in all venues in a matter of minutes, a new record.

Ray continues to tour with Paul McCartney.

Black Unicorn

Ray's own band, Black Unicorn, includes Peter Thorn on guitar, John Button on bass, and Matt Laug on drums. The band perform their music in Los Angeles clubs, such as The Viper Room and The Mint.

Mondo Magneto

In 2006 Ray released his first solo-record, "Mondo Magneto" through his own independent label, "Whooray Records". With guest appearances from Ray's former boss Etta James, Davey Faragher from Elvis Costello's band, Scott Shriner from Weezer, and other Paul McCartney bandmates. His record release party was held at the Mint in L.A. on January 21, 2006, where he was joined up on stage by Black Unicorn, as well as "My Band" bandmates Rusty Anderson and Paul "Wix" Wickens.

elective discography

External links

*Brian Ray's Official Site [http://www.brian-ray.com]
*Whooray Records [http://www.whooray-records.com]
*Maccareport's Brian Ray page [http://www.photos.mccartney.net/brian.htm]