BIOGRAPHY
One of the most interesting features on the modern blues scene has
been the advent of the non-singing guitarist/bandleader, artists
like Ronnie Earl, Anson Funderburgh, and Little Charlie Baty, whose
prowess as instrumentalists has led to their names appearing on
billboards and CD sleeves with the vocalists appearing as
"featured artists."
To the above list of talented instrumentalists, you can now add the
name of Kenny Blue Ray. Kenny is a blues veteran of 35 years whose
pedigree includes recording and appearing with artists the caliber
of William Clarke, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Charlie
Musselwhite, Smokey Wilson, Albert Collins, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Kenny Ray was born in California on January 11, 1950. His interest
in music was forged by his father, who played guitar, harmonica,
accordion, piano and fiddle. Seeing Elvis perform on the Ed Sullivan
show in 1956 sealed Kenny's passion to play guitar.
His father bought Kenny his first guitar in 1958 for $7.00, a
Stella. His dad later bought Kenny his first real guitar, a 1959
black Danelectro for $38.50.
Kenny's obsession with the blues was triggered by the infamous
Wolfman Jack, when as an eleven year old, Kenny would lie in bed
listening as his older sister played the radio to the sounds of
Jimmy Reed and Howlin' Wolf on XERB-FM, from Chula Vista,
California, and was inspired by music that Kenny claims "just
totally blew my mind."
Kenny and his friends would skip school to learn Albert King's
album, "Born Under A Bad Sign" and B.B. King's live album,
"Blues Is King."
Serving in the Air Force from 1969-72, Kenny was based in London,
England, where he hooked up with ex-Jr. Walker band member Ferdnand
Jones in a nine piece soul review called El Jade, where they covered
Al Green, Aretha Franklin and "lots of blues." On his
return to the States, Kenny spent two years touring California with
the Paul Herman Band.
In 1975 he took over the guitar spot in Little Charlie and the
Nightcats, which at the time was fronted by Charlie Baty on guitar,
harp and vocals. Rick Estrin joined the band in 1976, and not long
after Kenny left and moved to Los Angeles where he became a member
of the houseband at Smokey Wilson's Pioneer club, backing artists
like Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulson, and Big Mama
Thornton. The late 70's were a productive time for the blues in LA,
and Kenny became immersed in the Watts scene and made his recording
debut with William Clarke and Hollywood Fats ("Diggin' My
Potatoes") and Finis Tasby (a set which remains unreleased) in
1978.
In 1980, Kenny moved to Austin, Texas, where he joined the Marcia
Ball Band, touring with her for four years on the Crawfish Circuit
and appearing on her 1985 Rounder release "Soulful Dress."
During this time Kenny met and became good friends with Stevie Ray
Vaughan. Further recording sessions followed with Greg
"Fingers" Taylor ("Harpoon Man"), Marcia Ball on
Varrick, Mitch Woods, Charlie Musselwhite, Ronnie Earl and the
Roomful of Blue Horns on Blind Pig ("Solid Gold
Cadillac"), and sessions with Tommy Castro, Ron Thompson, Gary
Smith, and others.
In 1990, Kenny, with his big, fat toned, Texas guitar sound
liberally laced with Albert King and Magic Sam and honed to
perfection, took center stage and formed his own band.
In 1994, Kenny released the first of nine CD's on his own Tone King
label. Each CD garnered critical acclaim from all corners of the
blues world, and amazingly, each surpassing the previous in sheer
quality. Few artists could release so many CD's in such a short
period of time without staleness and a sense of repetition setting
in.
Since 1994, Kenny has put out two to three CD's a year, as well as
producing and playing on other recording artists' projects. Kenny is
a big fan of Jazz as well, especially the bluesy side of Brother
Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, and Jimmy McGriff.
Kenny has appeared on 40 CD's and albums since he began his music
career. He's also done seven blues guitar instructional videos, and
he plans to do a Chicago blues guitar instructional video in the
near future.
Kenny had the great honor of working with Little Charlie & The
Night Cats, William Clarke (Kenny's favorite), James Harman, Shakey
Jake Harris, Rod Piazza and Gary Smith. Blues harp is another
favorite of Kenny's!
Kenny's biggest influences on guitar are Albert King, T-Bone Walker,
John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Robert Lockwood, Jr., B.B. King,
Freddie King, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomerey, and Johnny
"Guitar" Watson. Kenny also digs Jimmie Vaughan and Anson
Funderburgh.
Kenny uses Kenny
"Blue" Ray Signature Series
guitars. Kenny brings his years of first-hand experience to the
design and development of fine blues guitars. He offers these under
the "Blueray Guitars" name. These guitars are very 50s
& 60's looking, and have a distinctive West Coast, Texas, or
Chicago blues sound.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, B.B., Freddie,
Albert King or whatever your blues reference - Kenny Blue Ray
guarantees "Blues Satisfaction."