There is nothing typical or ordinary about Ray Scott or his music. After long study, the most unoriginal thing that I could muster is that he possesses an unrelenting drive to produce what he truly believes in. While that might not be a signature move-this one is: He has left the plastic world of Warner Brothers Records and refuses to compromise his craft or to dance for the 'target niche markets' that music industry Corporates put so much value on. Some have called him 'old-school' because of his no-frills songwriting style but so many more are calling him an Outlaw and rightly so. While 'big label' focus is blinded by trends and demographics, Ray Scott is slipping out the back with P-Mo and riding off into the sunset with thousands and thousands of his Fans.
One among many, in an industry that is turning away from its roots, Ray isn't afraid to veto the system - and he's succeeding. As the Country Music industry tries to re-invent itself with every new face on every new CD or by trying to validate their development of a cross-genre with Rock and Hip Hop, the soul of American Country Music is being tossed into a sinking lifeboat and risks being lost altogether. Celebrities and actors, ordained by money-conscious consortiums of business executives and marketing gurus, have been found foraging their way into the Country Music industry as the Legends who started it all are fewer and fewer in attendance.
The weekend of December 8th, 2006, Ray and P-Mo (with none other than Ward Davis back for one last stand) performed at the Wrangler Rodeo World Finals event in Las Vegas. Word was out that Ray would be performing right outside the stadium for two nights at the ACM bandstand and that was all that Fans needed to hear. I got a wild idea for this project and decided to make the trip and it was evident even before the first show was near to start, that the Fans were out in prime form. All seating was taken. With over an hour till showtime, people were standing in the concourse area, ready and waiting. Some had gifts they'd made, some had things for Ray to autograph, others had friends and family. Some had just heard about it that day from Fans that were already there and decided to come check it out for themselves.
During the course of the two shows, people got up for a better view. They crowded around to see and whether they realized it or not, some were so intent on the show that they stood there with their mouths open. They stood filming with hand-held cameras and craned their cell phones to get snapshots. The CD's that were available for sale sold out within minutes. I will never forget standing at the merch table listening to a young guy apologize for having to count out the change in his pockets to nab the last CD on the table. Dimes, nickels...pennies, he wasn't leaving without that CD
The first time I met Ray he said he wanted his music to compel people.
Ray, I think you can cross that one off your list.
One among many, in an industry that is turning away from its roots, Ray isn't afraid to veto the system - and he's succeeding. As the Country Music industry tries to re-invent itself with every new face on every new CD or by trying to validate their development of a cross-genre with Rock and Hip Hop, the soul of American Country Music is being tossed into a sinking lifeboat and risks being lost altogether. Celebrities and actors, ordained by money-conscious consortiums of business executives and marketing gurus, have been found foraging their way into the Country Music industry as the Legends who started it all are fewer and fewer in attendance.
The weekend of December 8th, 2006, Ray and P-Mo (with none other than Ward Davis back for one last stand) performed at the Wrangler Rodeo World Finals event in Las Vegas. Word was out that Ray would be performing right outside the stadium for two nights at the ACM bandstand and that was all that Fans needed to hear. I got a wild idea for this project and decided to make the trip and it was evident even before the first show was near to start, that the Fans were out in prime form. All seating was taken. With over an hour till showtime, people were standing in the concourse area, ready and waiting. Some had gifts they'd made, some had things for Ray to autograph, others had friends and family. Some had just heard about it that day from Fans that were already there and decided to come check it out for themselves.
During the course of the two shows, people got up for a better view. They crowded around to see and whether they realized it or not, some were so intent on the show that they stood there with their mouths open. They stood filming with hand-held cameras and craned their cell phones to get snapshots. The CD's that were available for sale sold out within minutes. I will never forget standing at the merch table listening to a young guy apologize for having to count out the change in his pockets to nab the last CD on the table. Dimes, nickels...pennies, he wasn't leaving without that CD
The first time I met Ray he said he wanted his music to compel people.
Ray, I think you can cross that one off your list.
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