- Robert Cray
Infobox musical artist | Background = solo_singer| Instrument =
Guitar
Name = Robert Cray
Img_capt = Robert Cray in concert, 2007
Born = Birth date and age|1953|8|1|df=yes
Columbus, Georgia
Died =
Alias =
Genre = Contemporary bluesElectric blues Soul-blues
Associated_acts =
Label =
Notable_instruments = Robert Cray Signature Model Stratocaster
Years_active = 1980 - present
URL = [http://www.robertcray.com/entry.php Official Site]
audio sample =Robert Cray (born
August 1 ,1953 ) is an Americanblues musician,guitarist , andsinger .Career
Cray started playing
guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News,Virginia , his love of blues andsoul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, he wanted to become an architect, but around the same time he began to study architectural design, he formed a local band " [http://pnwbands.com/steakface.html Steakface] ", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray's guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs byJimi Hendrix ,Quicksilver Messenger Service ,Fleetwood Mac ,The Grease Band ,Blodwyn Pig ,Jethro Tull , Spirit andThe Faces .By the age of twenty, Cray had seen his heroes
Albert Collins ,Freddie King andMuddy Waters inconcert and decided to form his own band; they began playing college towns on the West Coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed toMercury Records in 1982. His thirdalbum release, "Strong Persuader ", produced by Dennis Walker, received aGrammy Award , while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition.By now, Cray was an opening act for such major stars as
Eric Clapton (who remains a friend to this day), and sold out larger venues as a solo artist. By the early 1990s, his name was immediately associated with his soothing, soulful voice, crisp, clean guitar work, and innovative modern blues sound.Fact|date=January 2008 Cray has generally played Fender guitars (Telecaster s andStratocaster s) and there are two signature Robert Cray Stratocasters models available from Fender. The Robert Cray Custom Shop Stratocaster is made in the U.S. in the Fender custom shop and is identical to the guitars that Cray currently plays, while theRobert Cray Standard Stratocaster is a less-expensive model made in Fender'sEnsenada ,Mexico plant.Cray had the opportunity to play alongside
John Lee Hooker on his album "Boom Boom", playing the guitar solo in the song "Same Old Blues Again". He is also featured on the critically-acclaimed Hooker album, "The Healer"; he plays a guitar solo on the song "Baby Lee".Cray was invited to play at the "Guitar Legends" concerts in
Seville ,Spain at the 1992Expo , where he played a signature track, "Phone Booth", wowing the audience.Albert Collins was also on the bill on thisblues night of the "Legends" gigs.Cray continues to record and tour. He appeared at the
Crossroads Guitar Festival , and supported 'Slowhand' on his 2006-2007 world tour. In Fargo, ND, he joined Clapton on backup guitar for the classic Cream song "Crossroads".Also, in the film "
Animal House ", Cray is the uncredited bassist in the house party bandOtis Day and the Knights .Robert Cray Band
Robert Cray's current band line-up:
*Robert Cray - Guitar/Singer
*Kevin Hayes - Drums
*Jim Pugh - Keyboards
*Karl Sevareid -Bass Guitar Discography
*"Who's Been Talkin"' (rereleased as Too Many Cooks 1990) - 1980
*"Bad Influence" - 1983
*"False Accusations " - 1985
*"Showdown!" - 1985 (recorded withAlbert Collins andJohnny Copeland )
*"Strong Persuader " - 1986
*"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" - 1988
*"Midnight Stroll " - 1990
*"I Was Warned " - 1992
*"Shame + A SIN" - 1993
*"Some Rainy Morning " - 1995
*"Sweet Potato Pie" - 1997
*"Take Your Shoes Off " - 1999
*"Shoulda Been Home " - 2001
*"Time Will Tell" - 2003
*"Twenty" - 2005
*"Live From Across The Pond" - 2006
*"Live At The BBC" - 2008Compilations and re-issues
*"Who's Been Talkin"' re-issue - 2001
*"Heavy Picks - The Robert Cray Band Collection" - 1999
*"The Best Of Robert Cray edition of 20th Century Masters / The Millennium Collection" - 2002References
* Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
* Guinness Rockopedia - ISBN 0-85112-072-5
* The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
* The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray - ISBN 1-85868-255-Xee also
*
Chicago Blues Festival External links
* [http://www.robertcray.com/entry.php Official Site]
*imdb|0187042
*MySpace|robertcray|Robert Cray
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3ifwxq95ldke~T1 Robert Cray] atAllmusic
* [http://www.edwinesmith.com/Letters%20From%20Little%20Rock/?p=39 Review of "Time Will Tell"]Persondata
NAME= Cray, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Musician, singer,
DATE OF BIRTH=August 1 ,1953
PLACE OF BIRTH=Columbus, Georgia
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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