Ray Bruce,
singer~songwriter~guitarist
A Native American Indian, decedent of Geronimo,
born in Las Vegas, Nevada and raised in Oklahoma
on country meals, country morals and country music.
From a tender age his gift of music was tapped and marked for life by the
Pioneer Country Music Era. He was only six years old when he made is on
stage debut singing “Talk Back Tremblin’ Lips” in his Uncle Jr’s band
“The Country Gentleman” from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Ray attributes his
greatest musical inspirations to the music of Hank Williams Sr.,
at the age of twelve the first song he learned to play on his Uncle’s guitar
was Hank’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”.
Although, Ray has a rowdy passion for Traditional Country,
He is influenced by a variety of music. He treasures 50's Rock-n-Roll relics.
Southern Gospel hits a high note in his heart, while the outlaw country sound
flows naturally straight from his psyche to make a home in his voice-box.
Aside from his original sound,
Ray has the unique ability to emulate various artist’s styles, among them
are Hank Williams Sr. & Hank Jr, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell,
and Waylon Jennings. Wow, now that’s talent! Thanks to friends Mary Wallace,
Cowboy Jack and Dennis Davis, Ray was invited to perform tribute to
Hank Williams Sr. for many “Hank Sr. Fan Club Society & Museum” events.
In September 1995 in Montgomery, Alabama Ray opened for Hank Williams III’s debut.
Through the years Ray’s had the honor of warming up big crowds for many Country Legends
such as Kitty Wells, Hank’s “Drifting Cowboys”, Hank Thompson, and Gene Watson
just to name a few. Spring of 1997, Ray had the opportunity to entertain at Skull Shulman’s
“Rainbow Room”. Ray’s had the pleasure to set-in and sing with Pete Mitchell along with
“The Texas Troubadours” at “Barbara’s” in Nashville, Tennessee.
In addition,
Ray was awarded the Oklahoma Opry’s “Traditional Vocalist” of the year in 1996.
Ray believes the evolution of music shouldn’t have to mean the extinction of Traditional Country on today’s radio airwaves.        Over the last couple of years Ray has received ample Radio Air-play in America, Europe & Australia on his original Country & Gospel music Ray has recorded produced and mastered on his own label...Way Out West Records Studios Midwest City, Ok. W.O.W. Artist’s Radio Releases include: John Jennings “Headin’ Home” Nine song gospel guitar instrumentals. Ray’s first Gospel CD: Ray Bruce “It Was Me” an eight song CD. Soon to be released in Fall 2005: Ray Bruce “Rollin’ On”, featuring a tribute song to Hank Williams Sr. “Hank’s Singin’ In Heaven”. Ray’s is excited to produce a collection of well written songs by Miss Emily...Ray‘s twelve year old daughter.
Ray has paid his dues...From the clubs of Oklahoma City to the famous “Printer’s Alley, Alabama’s Hank Sr. Fest. to an Arkansas’s Boar’s Nest, taking stages from Kansas to Texas playing allot of country, gospel and outlaw places, pickin’ and grinnin’ with famous faces,...Ray Bruce keeps the traditional sound of country music alive while he chases his dreams, reachin’ for the stars, singing his songs and playing his guitar. Ray says, He feels so blessed every week, when he takes time to play music for the Lord, at Heartland Cowboy Church,2221 Exchange,at the Stockyards in Oklahoma City,Ok. Monday Nights 7:00pm