A HOMECOMING FOR MICHAEL RAY
“Real men love fishing/fast cars and livin’/out on the edge so far/they’re gonna need forgivin’.”
These opening words from Michael Ray’s “Real Men Love Jesus” from his self-titled 2015 debut album hit on the essential elements of country music; elements the Eustis native says Florida has in spades.
“It’s such an outside state,” says Ray on his way to a Nashville recording studio. “We’re always outside either on the water or with your friends or on the beach. That’s what country music is.”
Ray is part of the lineup at this weekend’s Runaway Country Music Fest, which is returning to Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee for its second year. The all-star showcase includes Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, LoCash, Tyler Farr and Cam. Organizers expect more than 50,000 fans, at least one of whom will be Ray.
“The lineup is fantastic,” says Ray. “This will be my first show playing with Jason Aldean, so I’m pretty pumped about that.” Aldean is set to headline the mainstage on Sunday, the same day as Ray’s performance.
Ray, 28, has seen his star rise since winning The CW’s televised music competition “The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep” in 2012. On the show, he was mentored by modern country icon John Rich of Big & Rich.
However, Ray’s foray into a music career began “way before I came along, honestly,” he says. His father, grandfather and uncles were in a band. On a camping trip when he was nine, Ray watched his family pick the guitars around the campfire and decided he wanted in.
“I’ve been bit by the bug from then,” he says. “I continued playing every weekend with my grandfather and groups he was in.”
Though his sound represents thoroughly modern production, Ray’s introduction to country was traditional. He rattles off the classic names: Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Porter Wagoner. “I grew up loving a generation of music that was way before me,” he says, “but I know, without that, my music wouldn’t be where it is.”
The music industry is notoriously rough on newcomers. But Ray says the country corner has been very accommodating. “I can’t say this about every genre because I don’t know. But in country music, everybody I’ve met, from Garth [Brooks] to