Americana drummer and singer-songwriter Stan Ray is interviewed about his influences, favorite keys, craziest performances, and much more.
What first got you into music?
As fate would have it, the same way most of my favorite musicians did…The Beatles! I attended a hip grade school in the 70’s that encouraged us to listen to music and had headphone listening stations. Now I didn’t see The Beatles on Ed Sullivan like the story often goes, but the memory that still feels like yesterday (no pun intended) was putting on a 45 record of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” in kindergarten, yes kindergarten and knowing this was me, just knew it.
Who are some of your influences?
At first I have to admit the Columbia House Record and tape club, 21 8-tracks for a penny! My Dad never sent back the perforated card marked “don’t send the record of the month” so a new 8-track would show up every month. So we’re talking Barry Manilow, ABBA, John Denver and Neil Diamond to name a few. Then a timely right of passage with KISS and FM radio. I got Back in Black for my 11th birthday in 1980, VERY big deal, still is. MTV came out my 7th grade year and suddenly everyone in the country was hearing the same music at the same time, big deal. Obligatory deep dives into Stones, Zep, Cream, Hendrix followed. But probably the 3 biggest would be Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder and The Band…The Last Waltz kinda changed my life.
How did you get your start in the Savannah music scene?
I opened Savannah Wine Shop in 2001 and having come from almost a decade in Nashville I started having singer-songwriter showcases at my store on Broughton Street, which led to other collaborations such as The Listening Room with Jake and Miriam Hodesh and The Savannah Songwriter’s Series with Tami and Jefferson Ross, also singer-songwriter “in the round” style showcases. But much of the credit has to go to New American Hologram bandmate Eric Britt. We met at a song-writer showcase at Tybee Island Social Club and I was complaining about not knowing how to break into the local scene, having only done self created/promoted shows thus far. Eric just said “come do some duos with me and then everyone will know you” which we did, and now it’s my full time job, thanks E.
What was the craziest performance you ever had?
Too many really! But the year The Accomplices played the Tybee Poker Run comes to mind until it goes fuzzy. We spent the entire day being pulled around on a flat bed trailer to different venues on Tybee that ended up Huc-A-Poos. The beers stated flowing at 10am, but my last lucid image is passing the moonshine and watching Matt Ecskstine strip off his shirt and throw it into the crowd…I miss being able to stumble home after gigs…
But honestly I find the human voice usually sounds better in flat keys
Name your top three keys to play in and, why?
E,A,G & D for obvious reasons…my guitar skills are limited! But honestly I find the human voice usually sounds better in flat keys. I talked everyone in my Nashville band Treml Bigsby to tune down a ½ step like Stevie Ray Vaughn, it just hits a sweet spot that really resonates. It was a pain in the ass I’m sure at the time, but I noticed my writing partner/guitar player at the time Jim Reynolds still had his guitar tuned that way the last time I saw him in Nashville.
Any secret music indulgence that you might want to admit or share?
I think I already did! I just love most music, and yes I still jam out the Barry Manilow, ABBA, Captain and Tenille etc. I also never jumped on the Disco Sucks band wagon…I still love Disco and never really went through a Punk phase. It’s all about the song to me.
Name a Savannah artist who you’d love to collaborate with, and why?
I’ve actually been pretty lucky in that area! I think the short answer is that I’ve never really spent much time in the Jazz world and that is something I’d like to explore more…any suggestions?
In my opinion we just need to start slowly introducing Savannah to this age old concept called the “cover charge”
What are some of your favorite local places to play?
I like most venues for different reasons, silver lining kinda guy. I have to say I’ve really enjoyed playing at Victory North lately and super excited to have them in town. I like seasoned rooms like the Tybee Post Theater and of course The Lucas, but honestly there’s no shortage of spots that I’ve had great experiences playing here in Savannah.
Your thoughts on the state of the Savannah music scene …
I’m inclined to say GREAT! I’ve watched it grow steadily in the 20+ years I’ve been here and have spent a lot of sweat equity in helping that along. At times I worry that live music doesn’t mean as much to younger generations as it did to me and mine, but when I see my own kids now entering young adulthood I’m blown away by the diversity of music they listen to, non-stop. In my opinion we just need to start slowly introducing Savannah to this age old concept called the “cover charge”…even if it’s just a few bucks. Put some skin in the game!
What’s next for you?
One of the best bands I ever had the pleasure of being in was a 12-piece horn band in Nashville called What is Hip. There’s nothing like a honkin’ horn section moving air in synchronicity…I started mapping out a concept called Stan Ray’s Soul Satisfaction I plan to make happen in 2022…I just think it’s time to come out from behind the drums and do something BIG…oh yes…this needs to happen. To be continued…
