PICS/NEWS | Ray Hollis Music

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2024 ICM AWARDS at the GRAND OLE OPRY

MAY 29, 2024
Ray and Jan walked the Red Carpet for Ray's 2024 ICM Award nomination, INSPIRATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR for "Eyes for You." The Inspirational Country Music Awards Show was held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. In addition to Ray's nomination, Ray and Jan presented an award to a winner of the evening's event.

2024 ACM AWARDS at UCA Conway Arkansas

JUNE 3, 2024
Ray was nominated 2024 INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR by the Arkansas Country Music Awards and also received a nomination for 2024 INSPIRATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR by the Inspirational Country Music Association. Both Award Shows were red carpet events. The ACM Awards were held at the UCA Reynolds Auditorium in Conway, Arkansas. The ICM Awards were at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

FAITH COUNTRY & BLUE GRASS FESTIVAL at the ARK

JUNE 15, 2024
Ray is a singer, songwriter and musician. Jan is a nationally certified sign language interpreter. Ray sang and Jan signed at the Singing News 2024 FAITH COUNTRY & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL at the ARK ENCOUNTER in Williamstown, KY. They will return on LABOR DAY 2024 for 40 Days and 40 Nights of Music at the ARK.

NEW RAY HOLLIS T-SHIRTS, CD's and USB DRIVES!

Check out the MERCH with 5 New T-Shirts, a USB Drive filled with all 14 Songs from the Ray's CD, plus several more that have been recorded since the CD. There are even new songs on the USB Drive that have not released yet. Finally, order Ray's new CD. Artists make very little from streaming their music online. Live events, Merchandise and Donations is the financial life stream for Indie Artists. Thank you for your online purchase and/or donation!

Ray and Jan would love to minister at your church or special event!

Our T-Shirts are supplied by ROBYN PROMO / STITCH 46 in Oklahoma City. They have many incredible promotional products and have been successfully in business for years. They service individuals and small to global businesses. Contact Cory or Bethany Benton at 877-211-9711

Our T-Shirt designs were by W&Co. Send us a message from our contact page if you would like more info.

RAY IS A CO-WRITER of "WAIT FOR IT" on EVERYTHING GOOD

Ray has written and recorded songs for many years. He has 7 albums to his credit. While Ray and other artists have recorded his songs over the years, songwriting changed for him in 2022. Ray has primarily a solo writer. The only co-written song he has recorded is "I'll Be On My Way," with co-writers Jerald Hill and Lori Kelley Woods. Ray's worship song. "GOD OF MIRACLES," was the Grand Prize winner for the 2022 WRITE ABOUT JESUS Songwriter's Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. New songwriting doors began to open.

Ray's song won in the Worship Category and was the Overall Winner in categories consisting of several genres including Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Christian, Children's, Pop, Print / Choral, Southern Gospel, Special Occasion / Novelty, and Worship. WRITE ABOUT JESUS was founded and led by SUE C. SMITH (20 #1 songs, 5 time Dove Award winner) and is celebrating its' 25th year. It hosts 3 days of workshops taught by some of the top songwriters, publishers, producers and music business professionals in the Christian music industry.

Since WRITE ABOUT JESUS, Ray was invited to co-write with several award-winning songwriters, including SUE C. SMITH and JOEL LINDSEY. Joel has written some of the most recognized songs in all of CCM and Southern Gospel Music. In August 2023, Ray traveled to Nashville to co-write with some of Music City's finest writers including SUE C SMITH, JASON COX (2022 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year, several #1 songs), KENNA TURNER WEST (Recording artist, multi-Dove Award songwriter, 27 Song of the Years wins, 5 time Songwriter of the Year, over 50 #1 hits), and NATHAN WOODARD (Dove Award winner, Grammy Nominated, several #1 and top 10 songs) to name a few.

While in Nashville, Ray joined with DONNA KING and SUE C. SMITH. Sue brought the idea and the magic just happened in the room as "Wait For It" was written.. This beautiful song was included on ZANE & DONNA KING'S new StowTown Records album, "Everything Good." Everything on this album is not just good, but great! Zane (powerful multi-instrumentalist and Donna (amazing singer) are Dove and Singing News Fan Award nominees. Check out their unique blend of inspirational country, worship and roots-Gospel sounds. Invite them to sing these new songs at your church. You will be blessed!

RAY IS IN THE STUDIO RECORDING NEW MUSIC!

Ray Hollis is often asked how he gets the professional quality in his recordings. He has recorded upwards to 100 songs. He has written many more than that! Ray feels that it is not one persons gift or talent that creates good songs. Ray says, "it takes family, friends, fans and fellow musicians (singers, songwriters, producers, engineers, mentors, musical pros and heroes) along the way. It was the teacher, preacher or person who said something encouraging. It was the publisher who said, "dig deeper"with your lyrics. It was the musicians who inspired him to play better or just let them play while he sings. Music is a life long journey of learning, developing and creating. It is not simply a hobby. A musician is a musician to the core of their being. Ray's wife, Jan, encourages him with this saying, "Music is God's gift to you. How you use it is your gift back to God."

Ray was scheduled to record in Nashville in March 2020 with some of Music City's finest studio engineers (Steve Marcantonio - worked with John Lennon) and several current 2020 ACM award winning musicians! COVID put the brakes on Nashville studios and musicians. It is amazing that the whole world seemed like it was on pause. In response to COVID, Ray wrote "Brighter Day". See lyrics page. The world started turning again!

Ray made the decision to record in Oklahoma and to team up with his long time producers and friends, LG Hamilton and Trent Austin with The Music Group in Edmond, Oklahoma. Great decision!! They have poured their heart and soul into making Ray's new songs his best ever! They have gathered an amazing team of musicians and singers! With today's technology, it is possible to utilize the best talent from Austin, Dallas, Nashville, Oklahoma and from around the country on this new project. Musicians include Oklahoma's Trent Austin (everything), Chandler Austin, (drums) John McCall (bass), Steven Jeffrey (guitar, bgv), William Khanagov (live strings) and more! LG Hamilton (producer and master engineer) also included Texas musicians John Carroll (lead), Milo Deering (The Eagles utility player - acoustic, dobro, fiddle, steel) and Tommy Detamore (steel).

Ray continues to record his songs at The Music Group with LG Hamilton working his magic at the controls. It is home base, where he gets his signature sound. Much of Ray's music begins in his own home studio, then is taken to TMG for the next phase. His recent Faith Country songs (Amazing Love, Eyes For You, I'll Be On My Way, Inside My Heart) have a combination of Nashville and Oklahoma City. The rhythm section instruments were recorded in Nashville, produced by Chuck Day and Budy Hyatt (Toto). Musicians include Nashville Cat, Brent Mason (lead), Duncan Mullins (bass), Joel Key (acoustic), Budy Hyatt (keys), Lonnie Wilson (drums), Russ Pahl and Scott Sanders (steel guitar). These Nashville recordings of the rhythm section are then sent to The Music Group where editing, recording additional instruments, vocals, mixing and LG's magic takes place. The final mix is then sent to Kevin Lively Mastering Studio (Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Pink, Usher) in Oklahoma City before it is distributed.

While Nashville is referred to as Music City, Oklahoma is also home to many of the finest world-class musicians on the planet! Our neighboring state, Texas, is right there in the mix along with LA and New York. Ray's native state of Arkansas has touched the world with their music legends and current artists! In today's world, you'll find great musicians everywhere! Since 2020 the world has started spinning again. While many parts of society, politics and trade may be divided, the God-given gift of music continues to be the glue that connects us all together. Songwriters, musicians, singers, producers and music professionals can collaborate from their homes, studios and offices through technology and provide listeners the very best lyrics, melodies and music ever!

Ray is currently recording several upcoming songs at The Music Group. There is also a song being recorded in Nashville. Currently Ray is recording a Country, R&B Gospel and Worship song.

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