Ray will show his "Picture" very soon
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Ray will show his "Picture" very soon

Monday, May 3, 2021 – Michael Ray will be out with a new song, "Picture," on Friday.

Written with Michael Hardy and David Garcia, Ray penned "Picture" about memories of his family captured in photograph: "One day we're barefoot, young and alive / the next we're a story in a three-by-five / that somebody's sure glad to have."

The track was inspired by the passing of Ray's uncle in June 2020. "We wrote 'Picture' the day of my Uncle Terry's viewing," Ray said. "The night before, my buddy and I were going through photos and he said, 'Isn't it wild how, no matter what you do in your life, we'll all just end up being pictures that somebody who loves us holds onto?' I wrote that down at three in the morning, and I decided not to cancel my write the next day with my friends Michael Hardy and David Garcia. I came in with this idea, and I told them, 'I think we have something special here.' I wanted it to write it very autobiographically. This last year has made me so appreciative of the people who can just sit still with me, reflect and reminisce. It's one of my favorite things about growing up in the south, and I hope we never lose that."

Ray, 33, is a Florida native, having grown up in Eustis, Fla.

"I hope that when people hear this song, it's not something that brings sadness. It's something that brings joy. I hope it serves as a reminder that it's okay to slow down and be present because you'll never regret the time to take to be with family and friends. I hope listeners can go back to pictures and relive good times with loved ones that maybe have passed, but I also hope it reminds them to capture those memories, in the moment, while they can."

"Picture" is one of several new Ross Copperman-produced tracks (Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker) due starting this summer. Ray's current single "Whiskey And Rain" is currently on the charts. A special Warehouse Sessions live version of the track was released as well.

The last 12 months have also seen Ray create a livestream series, Honkytonk Tuesday. Showcasing his love for classic country, Honkytonk Tuesday drew in over 700,000 views in 2020 and placed him at No. 32 on the 2020 Pollstar Top 100 Livestreamers year-end list.

"Picture" and "Whiskey And Rain" follow previous hits "One That Got Away," "Think A Little Less" and "Her World Or Mine."

The news has not been good for Ray. This past year, he and singer Carly Pearce divorced after eight months of marriage.


More news for Michael Ray


CD reviews for Michael Ray

Michael Ray wanted his latest EP to bring back a sound before country stars came from game shows and viral videos. While it's definitely slicker than any classic country record (which nowadays means '80s/'90s), it is a good one. The theme of the day is pairs - those that match and those that don't. "Spirits and Demons," a duet with Meghan Patrick, is a standout. It's a powerful gospel about the whiskey that ain't workin' to heal the broken heart. ...
Michael Ray's sophomore album, "Amos," is a tribute to his late grandfather. He expresses his appreciation on the insert with a lengthy and heartfelt bio of their special relationship. Though not explicitly stated, Ray infers that he learned that he would be best served by staying in his own lane. In this case, holding down the front man role while leaving the songwriting duties to the likes of Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Luke Laird and Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three. ...
CD review - Michael Ray The big single from Michael Ray's self-titled album, "Kiss You in the Morning," is one of the most annoying songs of the summer. It's an unbridled lust lyric that describes one man's pursuit of a girl in a country song. Ray is better on the driving song, "Drivin' All Night," though. Maybe it's the fact that Ray name-drops both Steve Earle and Tom Petty on it. If only Ray's music were more like either Earle or Petty. The both of these men create ...


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