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Michael Ray won the CW televised musical competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep in 2012, assisted by the mentorship of Big & Rich's John Rich. Ray didn't deliver a full album for another three years, but that's a sign of how deliberately the Nashville machine can move when they know they have somebody with real potential in their hands. Ray did some work behind the scenes, co-writing Big & Rich's single "Run Away with You" with Rich, but the real energy was channeled to his eponymous debut, produced by Scott Hendricks and released in the summer of 2015. The debut is canny commercial contemporary country, pitched halfway between the big, bright punch of bro country and the sentimental side of Rich's associated artists. Ray is better served by the former than the latter: he can handle a nicely modulated ballad, like "Look Like This," but stumbles on the laundry list of red-state necessities in "Real Men Love Jesus," never letting the calculation seem like anything less than pandering. Pick the tempo up, though, and he's a friendly, personable purveyor of country-pop, whether he's singing a love song ("Kiss You in the Morning") or threatening to burn this mother down ("Livin' It Up," which never gets too wild, no matter the threats). Michael Ray still seems a bit like a personality tailor-made for television -- he's prettier on the album cover than he is on record, where he's merely amiable -- but his debut is an expertly made piece of modern country product that pleases and, if it gets the right break on radio, could even wind up as memorable.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - MICHAEL WHITE, Writer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Ryan Gore, Audio Recording Engineer - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Justin Wilson, Writer - Nick Kallstrom, AssistantEngineer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2014 Warner Music Nashville LLC.
Rhett Akins, Writer - Ashley Gorley, Writer - Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Chis Destefano, Writer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Shane McAnally, Writer - Matt Jenkins, Writer - Jimmy Robbins, Writer - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Brad Warren, Writer - Brett Warren, Writer - Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - LANCE MILLER, Writer - Adam Sanders, Writer - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Jason Sellers, Writer - Marty Dodson, Writer - Jimmy Yeary, Writer - Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Ryan Gore, Audio Recording Engineer - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Nick Kallstrom, AssistantEngineer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2014 Warner Music Nashville LLC.
John Rich, Writer - Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Ryan Gore, Audio Recording Engineer - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Nick Kallstrom, AssistantEngineer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2014 Warner Music Nashville LLC.
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Barry Dean, Writer - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Ryan Gore, Audio Recording Engineer - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Jon Nite, Writer - Thomas Rhett, Writer - Jimmy Robbins, Writer - Nick Kallstrom, AssistantEngineer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2014 Warner Music Nashville LLC.
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Nathan Chapman, Writer - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Matt Jenkins, Writer - Nicolle Galyon, Writer - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Ashley Gorley, Writer - Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Shane McAnally, Writer - Jimmy Robbins, Writer - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Monty Criswell, Writer - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Casey Beathard, Writer - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Zach Crowell, Writer - Jon Nite, Writer - Matt Jenkins, Writer - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Troy Lancaster, Electric Guitar - Jerry McPherson, Electric Guitar - CHRIS LORD-ALGE, MixingEngineer - Michael Ray, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Casey Beathard, Writer - JEFF BALDING, Audio Recording Engineer - Andrew Mendelson, MasteringEngineer - Tony Lucido, Bass Guitar - Scott Johnson, AssistantProducer - Jessi Alexander, Writer - SCOTT HENDRICKS, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editor - Adam Shoenfeld, Electric Guitar - Mike Rojas, Organ, Piano - Perry Coleman, Backing Vocals - Matt Coles, AssistantEngineer - Nir Z, Drums, Percussion - Russ Pahl, Pedal Steel Guitar - Charlie Judge, Organ, Piano - Danny Rader, Acoustic Guitar - Brian David Willis, Digital Editor - Dave Cohen, Organ, Piano - Tucker Beathard, Writer - Justin "Corky" Cortelyou, Digital Editor
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC
Album review
Michael Ray won the CW televised musical competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep in 2012, assisted by the mentorship of Big & Rich's John Rich. Ray didn't deliver a full album for another three years, but that's a sign of how deliberately the Nashville machine can move when they know they have somebody with real potential in their hands. Ray did some work behind the scenes, co-writing Big & Rich's single "Run Away with You" with Rich, but the real energy was channeled to his eponymous debut, produced by Scott Hendricks and released in the summer of 2015. The debut is canny commercial contemporary country, pitched halfway between the big, bright punch of bro country and the sentimental side of Rich's associated artists. Ray is better served by the former than the latter: he can handle a nicely modulated ballad, like "Look Like This," but stumbles on the laundry list of red-state necessities in "Real Men Love Jesus," never letting the calculation seem like anything less than pandering. Pick the tempo up, though, and he's a friendly, personable purveyor of country-pop, whether he's singing a love song ("Kiss You in the Morning") or threatening to burn this mother down ("Livin' It Up," which never gets too wild, no matter the threats). Michael Ray still seems a bit like a personality tailor-made for television -- he's prettier on the album cover than he is on record, where he's merely amiable -- but his debut is an expertly made piece of modern country product that pleases and, if it gets the right break on radio, could even wind up as memorable.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:22
- Main artists: Michael Ray
- Label: Atlantic Records
- Genre: Country
© 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. ℗ 2015 Warner Music Nashville LLC for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S.
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