Ray Stevens: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American country and pop musician (born 1939)}} |
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{{use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} |
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{{other |
{{About|the singer|other persons of the same name|Ray Stevens (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Multiple issues| |
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{{BLP sources|date=August 2014}} |
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{{original research|date=October 2014}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> |
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> |
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| name = Ray Stevens |
| name = Ray Stevens |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1939|1|24}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1939|1|24}} |
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| birth_place = [[Clarkdale, Georgia]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Clarkdale, Georgia]], U.S. |
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| instruments = {{flatlist| |
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*Vocals |
*Vocals |
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*keyboards |
*keyboards |
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| genre = {{flatlist| |
| genre = {{flatlist| |
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*[[country music|Country]] |
*[[country music|Country]] |
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*pop |
*[[pop music|pop]] |
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*[[gospel music|gospel]] |
*[[gospel music|gospel]] |
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*[[Novelty song|novelty]] |
*[[Novelty song|novelty]] |
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*[[comedy music|comedy]]}} |
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| occupation = {{flatlist| |
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| occupations = {{flatlist| |
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*Singer-songwriter |
*Singer-songwriter |
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*arranger |
*arranger |
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*[[Columbia Records|CBS]] |
*[[Columbia Records|CBS]] |
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*[[Janus Records|Janus]]}} |
*[[Janus Records|Janus]]}} |
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| spouse = {{marriage|Penny Jackson|March 30, 1961|December 31, 2021|reason=died}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Harold Ray Ragsdale''' (born January 24, 1939),<ref name="rays-bio">{{cite web |
'''Harold Ray Ragsdale''' (born January 24, 1939),<ref name="rays-bio">{{cite web| url=https://raystevens.com/about/| title=Ray Stevens just thinks funny| date=January 8, 2016| website=Ray Stevens| access-date = February 3, 2018}}</ref><!--<ref>[http://www.raystevens.com/bio/index.php] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921153550/http://www.raystevens.com/bio/index.php |date=September 21, 2009 }}</ref> --> known professionally as '''Ray Stevens''', is an American [[country music|country]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/arts/music/11singleton.html| title=Shelby Singleton, Nashville Producer, Dies at 77| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| date=October 10, 2009| first=Bill| last=Friskics-Warren| access-date=October 10, 2022| url-access=subscription}}</ref> and pop singer-songwriter and comedian.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/ray-stevens-comes-streaking-back-with-immigration-song/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=Ray Stevens Comes Streaking Back With Immigration Song|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Roy |first=Don |editor-last=Kingsbury |editor-first=Paul |date=1998 |chapter=Ray Stevens |title=The Encyclopedia of Country Music |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00coun/page/507/mode/1up |chapter-url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0195116717 |page=507 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> He is best known for his [[Grammy]]-winning recordings "[[Everything Is Beautiful]]" and "[[Misty (song)|Misty]]", as well as novelty hits such as "[[Gitarzan]]" and "[[The Streak (song)|The Streak]]". Stevens has received [[Music recording sales certification|gold albums]] for his music sales and has worked as a producer, music arranger, and television host. He is also an inductee of the [[Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame]], the [[Georgia Music Hall of Fame]], the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]]. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Harold Ray Ragsdale was born on January 24, 1939, in [[Clarkdale, Georgia]].<ref name="rays-bio"/> He is the elder of two sons born to Willis Harold Ragsdale (1915–2001) and Frances Stephens Ragsdale (1916–1997).<ref>{{cite web| title=Ray Stevens {{!}} Artist Bio| url=https://countrymusichalloffame.org/artist/ray-stevens/| access-date=2022-02-12| website=Country Music Hall of Fame| language=en-US}}</ref> His younger brother, John, who died in 2020 at the age of 75, became an actor and writer.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ray Stevens' Younger Brother Has 'Unexpectedly' Died At Age 75|first=Jennifer |last=Pernicano| url=https://classiccountrymusic.com/ray-stevens-younger-brother-has-unexpectedly-died-at-age-75/| access-date=2022-02-12| website=Classic Country Music| date=2 April 2020| language=en-US}}</ref> While attending high school, Stevens formed his first band, a [[rhythm and blues]] group named The Barons. He began studying [[business administration]] at [[Georgia State University|Georgia State College]], but very quickly switched to become a music major. Stevens left after completing three of the four years required to obtain a degree, which he felt that he did not need.<ref name="Hieronymus">{{cite magazine |last=Hieronymus |first=Clara |date=December 1970 |title=Ray Stevens |magazine=BMI: The Many Worlds of Music |location=New York |publisher=[[Broadcast Music, Inc.]] |page=19}}</ref><ref name="AMC">{{cite book |last=Woodstra |first=Chris |title=All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Country Recordings |year=1997 |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=978-0-8793-0475-1 |author2=Erlewine, Steven Thomas |author3=Bogdanov, Vladamir |author4=Erlewine, Michael |page=448}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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===Early career=== |
===Early career=== |
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At 18, Stevens signed to [[Capitol Records]]' Prep Records division in 1957,<ref name="AMC"/> and produced the single "Silver Bracelet", with a cover of "Rang Tang Ding Dong" as the B-side. The single was met with a positive review from ''Billboard''.<ref>{{cite |
At the age of 18, Stevens signed to [[Capitol Records]]' Prep Records division in 1957,<ref name="AMC"/> and produced the single "Silver Bracelet", with a cover of "Rang Tang Ding Dong" as the B-side. The single was met with a positive review from ''Billboard''.<ref>{{cite magazine| title=Reviews and Ratings| page=52| magazine=Billboard| date=January 24, 1957}}</ref> The B-side was originally recorded by doo-wop group The Cellos in 1956.<ref>{{cite book| last=Warner| first=Jay| title=American Singing Groups: A History, From 1940 to Today| year=2006| publisher=Hal Leonard| isbn=978-0-352-33533-3| page=100}}</ref> |
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Stevens signed with [[Mercury Records]] in 1961.<ref>{{cite book| last=Wadhams| first=Wayne| title=Inside the Hits: The Seduction of a Rock and Roll Generation (Pop Culture)| year=2001| publisher=Berklee Press| pages=78–82| isbn=978-0-6340-1430-7}}</ref> |
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In 1958, [[Bill Lowery (record producer)|Bill Lowery]] created the [[National Recording Corporation]] (NRC), and hired Stevens to play numerous instruments, arrange music, and perform background vocals for its band. |
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Stevens signed with [[Mercury Records]] in 1961.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wadhams|first=Wayne|title=Inside the Hits: The Seduction of a Rock and Roll Generation (Pop Culture)|year=2001|publisher=Berklee Press|pages=78–82}}</ref> With Mercury, he had several hits including "Harry the Hairy Ape," "Funny Man," the original recording of "Santa Claus Is Watching You," "[[Jeremiah Peabody's Polyunsaturated Quick-Dissolving, Fast-Acting Pleasant-Tasting Green and Purple Pills]]," and "[[Ahab the Arab]]," which reached no. 5 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] in 1962. |
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In 1966, Stevens signed with [[Monument Records]] and started to release serious material such as "Mr. Businessman" in 1968, a Top 30 pop hit; "Have a Little Talk With Myself" and the original version of "[[Sunday Morning Coming Down]]" in 1969, which became Stevens' first two singles to reach the [[country music]] charts. [[O.C. Smith]] covered the Stevens-penned "Isn't It Lonely Together", and [[Sammy Davis Jr.]] covered "Have a Little Talk With Myself." Stevens continued to release comedic songs, and in 1969 he had a Top 10 pop hit with "[[Gitarzan]]." Stevens also became a regular on ''[[The Andy Williams Show]]'' during 1969–1970, and hosted his own show, ''The Ray Stevens Show,'' in 1970. In Australia, [[Ross D. Wyllie]] reached the top 20 with his cover of Stevens' ''Funny Man.'' Stevens' collection of Hot 100 hits is evenly divided between serious and comedy. |
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According to Time-Life Records "Country Collection" from around 1986, the LP jacket for Waylon Jennings' ''Country Collection'' (courtesy of RCA Records) states that Ray Stevens sang background vocals and played the organ on "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line." |
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As an [[A&R]] man, music producer, writer, and arranger, Stevens assisted many artists at Mercury Records and Monument Records, 1961 through early 1970, including [[Ronnie Dove]], [[Brenda Lee]], [[Brook Benton]], [[Patti Page]], [[Joe Dowell]], [[Dusty Springfield]], and [[Dolly Parton]]. "My True Confession," a Top-10 on the [[R&B]] chart in 1963 for Brook Benton, was written by Stevens and [[Margie Singleton]]. Stevens was the arranger for the [[Doyle Holly]] recording of "[[My Heart Cries For You]]," which had been recorded previously by Stevens during the late 1950s on the NRC label. |
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===1970s=== |
===1970s=== |
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In the 1970s, Stevens became a producer and studio musician in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]. He recorded songs for [[Barnaby Records]] and [[Warner Brothers]] during 1970–79. Stevens' biggest hit in the U.S. was his gospel-inflected single "[[Everything Is Beautiful]]" (1970). |
In the 1970s, Stevens became a producer and studio musician in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]. He recorded songs for [[Barnaby Records]] and [[Warner Brothers]] during 1970–79. Stevens' biggest hit in the U.S. was his gospel-inflected single "[[Everything Is Beautiful]]" (1970). It won a [[Grammy Award]], was the theme song for his summer 1970 TV show, a number one hit on both the pop and Adult-Contemporary charts, and marked his first time in the Top 40 on the country charts, peaking at number 39. The single sold over one million copies and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book| first=Joseph| last=Murrells| year=1978| title=The Book of Golden Discs| edition=2nd| publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd| location=London| page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/286 286]| isbn=978-0-2142-0512-5| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/286}}</ref> |
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| first= Joseph |
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| last= Murrells |
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| year= 1978 |
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| title= The Book of Golden Discs |
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| edition= 2nd |
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| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd |
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| location= London |
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| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/286 286] |
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| isbn= 0-214-20512-6 |
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| url-access= registration |
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| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/286 |
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}}</ref> His other 1970 singles were "America, Communicate With Me" and "Sunset Strip," both of which reached the Top 20 on the Adult-Contemporary lists. His novelty song "Bridget the Midget (The Queen of The Blues)" made number two on the UK chart in 1971 and number 50 in the U.S. His 1971 gospel/country single, [[Albert E. Brumley]]'s "Turn Your Radio On", reached the country Top 20. Two more songs in 1971 were also minor hits, "A Mama and a Papa" and "All My Trials," but both made the Top 10 Adult-Contemporary lists. Stevens frequently toured Canada and went to the UK. A rock-inflected gospel arrangement of "Love Lifted Me" became a hit in Thailand in 1972, reaching the Top Five. |
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Stevens had a transatlantic chart-topping hit in 1974 with "[[The Streak (song)|The Streak]]", a novelty song about [[streaking]] that reached number one on the American and British singles charts.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bronson |first1=Fred |title=The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits |date=2003 |publisher=Billboard Books |isbn=978-0-8230-7677-2 |page=365 |edition=updated and expanded 5th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22ray+stevens%22+%22the+streak%22&pg=PT374 |accessdate=2018-07-08}}</ref><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first=David| last=Roberts| year=2006| title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]]| edition=19th| publisher=Guinness World Records Limited| location=London| isbn=978-1-9049-9410-7| page=301}}</ref> |
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In 1973, Stevens had a top 40 country hit with the title track of his album ''Nashville'', and performed on a variety of prime-time TV programs. In 1974, Stevens recorded perhaps his most famous hit, "[[The Streak (song)|The Streak]]", which poked fun at the early-1970s fad of running nude in public, known as "[[streaking]]." It became number one in both the UK and the US and No. 3 on the country chart. In 1975, he released the Grammy-winning "[[Misty (song)|Misty]]," which became his biggest country hit (#3 US country, No. 14 US pop chart, No. 2 [[UK Singles Chart]]). He also entered the country Top 40 with a doo-wop version of "[[Indian Love Call]]," "Everybody Needs a Rainbow," and a ballad version of "[[Young Love (1956 song)|Young Love]]" in early 1976. |
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Through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some exceptions (such as "[[Shriner's Convention (song)|Shriner's Convention]]" in 1981), Stevens focused mostly on serious material, as he felt that the novelty song was becoming less popular in the era.<ref name=nutsoversquirrel>{{cite magazine| date=December 8, 1984| title=Stevens Nuts over 'Squirrel'| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| pages=39, 42| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22mississippi+squirrel+revival%22&pg=RA1-PA39}}</ref> Stevens had an adult contemporary crossover hit in 1979 with "[[I Need Your Help Barry Manilow]]", a cut from Stevens's [[Barry Manilow]] tribute/parody album ''[[The Feeling's Not Right Again]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1979-04-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105210838/http://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1979-04-28| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 5, 2016| title=Adult Contemporary Chart| magazine=Billboard}}</ref> |
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Stevens parted from Barnaby Records and joined Warner Brothers in 1976, where his debut single was a cover of "[[You Are So Beautiful]]" (country Top 20), then "Honky Tonk Waltz" (country Top 30). He then released a novelty single under the pseudonym "Henhouse Five Plus Too": a version of [[Glenn Miller]]'s "[[In The Mood]]" in the style of a clucking chicken; a Top 40 hit in the US and UK in 1977. In 1978, he had a hit with "[[Be Your Own Best Friend]]" on the country charts, and, in 1979, he had his last Hot 100 hit (to date) with the novelty "[[I Need Your Help Barry Manilow]]," which he released from the album ''[[The Feeling's Not Right Again]].'' In the US, Stevens' singles would reach only the country chart nationally thereafter. |
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===1980s=== |
===1980s=== |
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Stevens then joined MCA in 1984. Feeling that novelty songs were becoming popular again, he authorized the rush release of "[[Mississippi Squirrel Revival]]" in 1984, which reached the country top 20.<ref name=nutsoversquirrel/> In 1985, Stevens performed at the [[Lanierland Music Park]] in Georgia with Pinkard & Bowden.<ref name="Inc.1985">{{cite magazine| title=Box Score Top Grossing Concerts| magazine=Billboard| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4yQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT48| date=June 1, 1985| page=48| issn=0006-2510}}</ref> |
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{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2014}} |
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After joining [[RCA Records]] in 1980, he released "[[Shriner's Convention]]" and "Night Games". In 1981, only one single made the charts, "One More Last Chance." In 1981 the now-classic film ''[[The Cannonball Run]]'' was released which featured two songs from Ray Stevens. The movie opened with a very memorable chase scene featuring Ray's song "Cannonball".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9d5KyHU_k Ray Stevens - "Cannonball" (Official Audio)]</ref> In 1982, after he had released a few more singles, Stevens left RCA and returned to Mercury, releasing the 1983 album ''Me'', and one chart hit, "My Dad," in early 1984. |
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===21st century=== |
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Stevens then joined MCA in 1984 as a "country comedy" act and thereafter released only novelty song albums. In 1985 he performed at the Lanierland Music Park in Georgia with Pinkard & Bowden.<ref name="Inc.1985">{{cite book|title=Box Score Top Grossing Concerts|work=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4yQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT48|date=June 1, 1985|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=48–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The fan-voted ''Music City News'' awards named Stevens Comedian of the Year for nine consecutive years from 1986 to 1994. A few of Stevens' singles charted during this time, but only one, "[[Mississippi Squirrel Revival]]," made it to the Top 40, making that his final single to hit the Top-40 of the country singles chart. |
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In February 2002, following the [[September 11 attacks]], Stevens released ''[[Osama—Yo' Mama: The Album]]'' after the title track, which was released as a single in late 2001, peaked at #48 on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart in 2001. The album reached #29 on the US Top Country Albums chart. |
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In April 2010, Stevens released ''We the People'', a CD/DVD of political songs. This album reached Top-5 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Comedy Album chart.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/ray-stevens/biography/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223091419/http://www.cmt.com/artists/ray-stevens/biography| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 23, 2013| title=Ray Stevens Bio: Ray Stevens Career| website=CMT Artists| access-date=April 12, 2017| language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://shop.raystevens.com/we-the-people-cd| title=We The People CD| website=Ray Stevens| access-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> |
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Stevens' first two albums for MCA reached the Top-5 with ''I Have Returned'' hitting No. 1 in 1986. A 1987 ''Greatest Hits'' album became a [[platinum certification|platinum]] seller, while other releases achieved gold status. Stevens' comedy albums covers usually showed him dressed as various characters, such as [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], [[Humpty Dumpty]], or General [[Douglas MacArthur]]. |
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''RAY-ality TV'' ended its digital TV run in January 2014. Two months later, a [[webisode]] series, also titled ''Rayality TV'' was launched. Later in 2014, Stevens co-starred in the movie ''Campin' Buddies''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152378293854871&set=a.10150358709939871.369677.99557674870&type=1&theater |title=Ray Stevens – Timeline Photos |website=Facebook |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> |
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===1990s=== |
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{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2014}} |
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Stevens left MCA in 1989 for Curb/Capitol Records. The two labels split up soon after, and Curb Records continued releasing material on Stevens. ''His All-Time Greatest Comic Hits'', a 1990 compilation, became a gold album by mid-decade. ''Lend Me Your Ears'' and ''Number One With a Bullet'' were released in 1990 and 1991 respectively. The latter featured the satirical hit "Working for the Japanese" in which Stevens sings about the [[Economy of the United States|American economy]]. |
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Stevens published his autobiographical memoir ''Ray Stevens' Nashville'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSOsoAEACAAJ| title=Ray Stevens' Nashville| first1=Ray| last1=Stevens| first2=C. W. Buddy| last2=Kalb| date=March 1, 2014| publisher=Harold R.Ragsdale A/K/A Ray Stevens| isbn=978-0-6159-9308-9| access-date=October 27, 2017| via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ray-stevens-nashville-details-comic-performers-versatile-career-95889/| title=''Ray Stevens' Nashville'' Details Comic Performer's Versatile Career: Comedic country legend writes memoir of good old days in Music City| author=Betts, Stephen L.| access-date=June 20, 2014| date=June 20, 2014| magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> |
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In the 1990s, with country music as a whole rapidly changing direction and largely abandoning older and more established artists, Stevens took new directions. The most ambitious was the opening of his own theater in [[Branson, Missouri]], in 1991. The theater business had been steadily growing in Branson for years and by the time Stevens began building his theater the area was reaching its peak. Stevens benefited from the boom largely because his [[stage show]] was different from others. When the crowds reacted favorably to his music videos being played on a large screen at his theater, Stevens began selling videos. |
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In 2015, Stevens began producing and hosting ''Ray Stevens Nashville'', a 30-minute weekly music variety show on cable TV. Since then, the show has been rebranded as ''Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville'' and is now filmed on stage at his own CabaRay Showroom, which opened to the public in early 2018. |
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In 1992, his ''Comedy Video Classics'' became a million-selling home video through [[direct marketing]] and television advertisements. Branson was also experiencing its highest commercial peak in the summer and fall of 1992 and 1993. In the midst of this success, Stevens closed down his theater after the 1993 season citing exhaustion and monotony after doing two shows a day, six days a week, for five to six months at a time. Several of his performances at his theater were filmed and released in video form. ''Ray Stevens Live!'' became another home video mail-order success in 1993. Meanwhile, ''Comedy Video Classics'' became a big retail seller again. In 1993, it was named Home Video of the Year by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine. |
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Stevens released the album ''Here We Go Again'' on March 24, 2015, which includes the [[Taylor Swift]] spoof single "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me"<ref>Billboard, March 24, 2015 – [https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6509612/ray-stevens-interview-taylor-swift-is-stalkin-me-video Ray Stevens Returns With 'Taylor Swift Is Stalkin' Me' – By Chuck Dauphin]</ref> and "Come to the USA".<ref>{{cite magazine| magazine=Billboard| date=March 24, 2015| url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957953/ray-stevens-has-youtube-hit-with-pro-arizona-song| title=Ray Stevens Has YouTube Hit With Pro-Arizona Song| first=Chuck| last=Dauphin| access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> |
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The 1993 album ''Classic Ray Stevens'' was his first audio release since 1991. The video of ''Ray Stevens Live!'' hit Top-5 on Billboard's Home Video chart in 1994. In 1995, the movie ''Get Serious!'' was released on home video, and in 1996 to retail stores. The video hit the Top-5 on Billboard's Home Video chart in 1997 during a more-than-20-week chart run. Stevens had by this point exited Curb Records. |
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==Personal life== |
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Stevens found a new home with his previous label, MCA. MCA was responsible for the retail distribution of ''Get Serious!'' and for marketing Ray as a comical singer for the first time in the mid-1980s. MCA released two new CDs in 1997: ''[[Hum It]]'' and ''Christmas Through a Different Window'', the latter being a collection of Christmas novelty songs. After the MCA contract ended, Stevens became exclusive to his own label, Clyde Records, for a period of years. |
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Stevens was married to Penny Jackson Ragsdale for over 60 years, until her death on December 31, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Two days prior, he had canceled his New Year's Eve concert at CabaRay, due to Penny's rapidly declining health. They had two daughters, [[Suzi Ragsdale|Suzi]] and Timi, and four grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dukes |first=Billy |title=Ray Stevens' Wife Penny Has Died |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/ray-stevens-wife-penny-dead-dies/ |website=Taste of Country |date=January 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> |
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Online rumors began circulating about his death. The confusion may have arisen in 1996 following the death of a wrestler named [[Ray "The Crippler" Stevens]]. The singer Ray Stevens once recorded a wrestling song entitled "The Blue Cyclone." Stevens, the singer, reported that his office had received thousands of sympathy cards due to the confusion. |
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In April 1999, Stevens was diagnosed with early stage [[prostate cancer]] and had to cancel his concerts at the Acuff Theatre that summer. Stevens received a clean bill of health upon successful surgery and returned to deliver his Christmas concert series. |
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===2000s=== |
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{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2014}} |
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Stevens returned to Curb Records in 2001. In 2002, "[[Osama—Yo' Mama: The Album|Osama – Yo' Mama]]" was released. It reached the Top-5 on the country single sales chart, achieved Gold status, and the album of the same name reached the country Top-30. Stevens returned to Branson and re-opened his theater in 2004. He shut the theater again after the 2005 season, and sold it to RFD-TV in 2006. |
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A single-only release in 2005 "The New Battle of New Orleans" was a response to [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Curb Records continued to release DVD music video collections during this time. |
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Stevens returned to releasing music again in 2007, firstly with the single-only "Ruby Falls," and the CD ''New Orleans Moon'', released on his own label. |
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The following year Stevens issued the album ''Hurricane'', also on his own label. This CD of comical songs included, "Hey Bubba, Watch This!" and "Bubba the Wine Connoisseur." The CD also marked the debut of "Sucking Sound," a political/economic song about [[Ross Perot]]. |
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Concurrently in 2008, a tribute album ''Ray Stevens Sings Sinatra...Say What??'' was released. In 2009, he released ''One for the Road'', a CD aimed primarily at truckers. It was sold exclusively at the [[Pilot Travel Centers|Pilot]] truck stops prior to its release nationally. |
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In 2009, Stevens was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and appeared on the PBS series ''Legends and Lyrics''. A television show that Stevens stars in, ''We Ain't Dead Yet'', became available to subscribers at his web page. In 2009 Stevens released ''Ray Stevens Christmas''. |
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In December 2009, Stevens issued the single and on-line video "We the People," which surpassed a million unique views in a month's time on YouTube. The video is critical of [[health care reform]]. Stevens followed this music video with "[[Caribou Barbie]]" in March 2010. This music video is supportive of [[Sarah Palin]]. |
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===2010–2014=== |
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{{BLP sources section|date=October 2014}} |
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In April 2010, Stevens released ''We the People'', a CD/DVD of political songs. This album reached Top-5 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Comedy Album chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/ray-stevens/biography/|title=Ray Stevens Bio {{!}} Ray Stevens Career|work=CMT Artists|access-date=April 12, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shop.raystevens.com/we-the-people-cd|title=We The People CD|website=Ray Stevens|access-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> |
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On April 24, 2010, the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]] honored Stevens in the series "Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians." The special focused mostly on Stevens' career as a Nashville [[session musician]] during the 1960s and 1970s.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} |
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On December 2, "Bad Angel," a song that Stevens published and his daughter, [[Suzi Ragsdale]], co-wrote, was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] in the Best Country Collaboration category. Performed by [[Dierks Bentley]], [[Miranda Lambert]], and [[Jamey Johnson]], the song appeared on Bentley's CD ''Up on The Ridge''.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} |
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On April 14, 2011, Stevens released his album, ''The Spirit of '76''. On February 28, 2012, Stevens released the 9-CD ''The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music'' box set. |
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By December 2012, [[The Nashville Network]] had been re-launched as a digital television sub-channel. This led to Stevens becoming the host of a television series titled ''RAY-ality TV''. |
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''RAY-ality TV'' ended its digital TV run in January 2014. In March 2014, a [[webisode]] series, also titled ''Rayality TV'' was launched. In 2014, Stevens co-starred in the movie ''Campin' Buddies''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152378293854871&set=a.10150358709939871.369677.99557674870&type=1&theater |title=Ray Stevens – Timeline Photos |publisher=Facebook |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> A couple of political music videos emerged in 2014: "If You Like Your Plan" and "Nero Fiddled". Stevens released his first gospel album in more than 40 years in 2014: ''The Ray Stevens Gospel Collection: Volume One''. |
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Stevens published his autobiographical memoir ''Ray Stevens' Nashville'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSOsoAEACAAJ|title=Ray Stevens' Nashville|first1=Ray|last1=Stevens|first2=C. W. Buddy|last2=Kalb|date=March 1, 2014|publisher=Harold R.Ragsdale A/K/A Ray Stevens|isbn=9780615993089|access-date=October 27, 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ray-stevens-nashville-details-comic-performers-versatile-career-95889/|title=''Ray Stevens' Nashville'' Details Comic Performer's Versatile Career: Comedic country legend writes memoir of good old days in Music City|author=Betts, Stephen L.|access-date=June 20, 2014|website=RollingStone.com|date=June 20, 2014|publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> |
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===Since 2015=== |
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Stevens released the album ''Here We Go Again'' on March 24, 2015, which includes the [[Taylor Swift]] spoof single "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me"<ref>Billboard, March 24, 2015 – [https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6509612/ray-stevens-interview-taylor-swift-is-stalkin-me-video Ray Stevens Returns With 'Taylor Swift Is Stalkin' Me' – By Chuck Dauphin]</ref> and "Come to the USA".<ref>Billboard, January 6, 2010 – [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957953/ray-stevens-has-youtube-hit-with-pro-arizona-song Ray Stevens Has YouTube Hit With Pro-Arizona Song]</ref> In November he launched his television series, ''Ray Stevens Nashville'', on cable channel [[RFD-TV]]. Stevens' television series was re-launched as ''Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville'' in January 2017 and along with the slight change in title came a change in network and began airing in local syndication on [[PBS]] stations across the country. |
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On January 18, 2018, Stevens opened a performance venue, ''CabaRay'', located on River Road in [[West Nashville]]. The venue is a 700-seat showroom which offers a dinner and a show in addition to housing a [[piano bar]] along with recording facilities for both audio and video productions. There is balcony seating for those who purchase concert-only tickets, with dinner-and-concert seating at floor level. In December 2018, Stevens stirred up some minor controversy within the [[Music Row]] area of downtown Nashville when he sold his existing properties to a real estate developer. Stevens' property in the Grand Avenue section of Music Row was purchased and several studios were demolished to make room for a multi-story skyscraper intended to be used for creative musical endeavors by musicians and songwriters alike. The minor controversy surrounded the demolition of facilities Stevens owned which local historians proclaimed should've been protected. The controversy died down several weeks after the news broke. |
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In January 2019, his ''CabaRay Nashville'' television series returned to the RFD-TV airwaves in addition to a sketch-filled series called ''Rayality TV''. ''CabaRay Nashville'' continued to air in local syndication on [[PBS]]. On March 18, 2019, an announcement was made that Stevens was elected to the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] alongside record producer [[Jerry Bradley (music executive)|Jerry Bradley]] and country music duo, [[Brooks and Dunn]]. The formal inductions into the prestigious Hall of Fame took place on October 20, 2019. |
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During the COVID quarantine period of 2020-early 2021, like most performance venues, Stevens' CabaRay Showroom had to be temporarily closed. Stevens spent this time in his music studio. In 2020, he released the comedic "The Quarantine Song" which received millions of online views. In 2021, Stevens recorded and released five new albums for Curb Records. Releasing four of these albums in succession, one each month for four months straight, Ray covered a variety of songs by other artists on ''Great Country Ballads'', ''Melancholy Fescue (High Class Blue Grass)'', ''Slow Dance'', and ''Nuevo Retro (What’s Old Is New Again)''. In Fall of 2021, Stevens announced a release date of October 8 for ''Ain't Nothin' Funny Anymore'', his first new comedy album since ''Here We Go Again'' in 2015. |
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== Videos == |
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Stevens' songs have been showcased in several videos. "[[Gitarzan]]" was featured on ''The [[Dr. Demento]] 20th Anniversary Collection''. Stevens' video albums were frequently offered via television commercials. 1992's ''Comedy Video Classics'' won the ''Billboard'' Home Video of the Year in 1993, and other awards. Two videos filmed at his Branson theatre, ''Ray Stevens Live!'' and ''More Ray Stevens Live!'' were released in 1993. In 1995, he released a movie, ''Get Serious!'' containing ten music videos sandwiched within an actual movie. The video collection ''Latest and Greatest'' was released in 1996. In 2000, he released ''Funniest Video Characters'' including his 1985 song "The Ballad of the Blue Cyclone." In 2004, ''Greatest Video Characters'' was released. Stevens' video albums are released by mail order on his own label, Clyde Records. Beginning in late 2009, Stevens began releasing new music videos directly to YouTube. A number of the videos released after 2009 were political in nature and have obtained more than half a million unique views. |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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==Accolades== |
==Accolades== |
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===Grammy awards=== |
===Grammy awards=== |
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| "Everything Is Beautiful" |
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| {{won}} |
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|<ref name="Past Winners Search">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=24|title=Past Winners Search|website=Grammy |
|<ref name="Past Winners Search">{{cite web| url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=24| title=Past Winners Search| website=Grammy Awards| date=April 30, 2017| access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> |
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| 1971 |
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| {{nom}} |
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|<ref name=Grammys71>{{cite web|title=Grammy Awards 1971|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1971-220.html|website=Awardsandshows.com|access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> |
|<ref name=Grammys71>{{cite web| title=Grammy Awards 1971| url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1971-220.html| website=Awardsandshows.com| access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> |
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| "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow" |
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|<ref>{{cite |
|<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JcopAAAAIBAJ&pg=6870,4003315&dq| title=Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag| date=January 9, 1980| access-date=April 23, 2010| newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]]| first=Yardena| last=Arar}}</ref> |
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| 1988 |
| 1988 |
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| "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex" |
| "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex" |
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| {{nom}} |
| {{nom}} |
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|<ref>{{cite |
|<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CeslAAAAIBAJ&pg=6885,4044707&dq| title=Irish rockers among Grammy nominees| date=January 15, 1988| access-date=April 24, 2010| first=Larry| last=McShane| newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Nashua)|The Telegraph]]| location=Nashua, NH| agency=[[Associated Press]]| page=35}}</ref> |
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===Other honors=== |
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{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2014}} |
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Stevens was the recipient of several [[BMI award]]s for songs he either wrote, recorded, or published. Some of the recordings that received these citations were "Everything Is Beautiful", "The Streak", "Shriner's Convention", "Gitarzan", and several songs recorded by [[Sammy Kershaw]] and published by Stevens. |
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See [[Ray Stevens discography|Stevens' discography]] for sales certification awards for singles. |
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* 1980: [[Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame]] induction |
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* 1980: [[Georgia Music Hall of Fame]] induction |
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* 1986–94: [[CMT Music Awards|Music City News Awards]] for Comedian of the Year |
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* 1992: ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' No. 1 Home Video Plaque – ''Comedy Video Classics'' |
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* 1992: Ten Times Platinum Home Video – ''Comedy Video Classics'' |
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* 1993: ''Billboard'' Home Video of the Year |
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* 1993: Platinum Home Video – ''Ray Stevens Live!'' |
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* 1995: Platinum Home Video – ''Get Serious!'' |
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* 1995: ''[[Country Weekly]]'' Golden Pick Award for Best Comedian |
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* 2001: Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame induction |
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* 2009: Christian Music Hall of Fame induction |
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* 2019: [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] induction |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{ |
* {{official website|https://www.raystevens.com/}} |
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* [https://raystevenscabaray.com/ Ray Stevens Cabaray Showroom Official Website] |
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* {{IMDb name|0828696|Ray Stevens}} |
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* {{IMDb name|0828696}} |
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*[http://misterguitar.us/news/raystevens2a.html Tom Redmond – Working with Chet Atkins: An Interview with Ray Stevens] |
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* [http://misterguitar.us/news/raystevens2a.html Tom Redmond – Working with Chet Atkins: An Interview with Ray Stevens] |
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*[http://mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/STEVENSRay051007.html Ray Stevens – MyBestYears.COM INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT] |
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* [http://mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/STEVENSRay051007.html Ray Stevens – MyBestYears.COM INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183347/http://mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/STEVENSRay051007.html |date=2016-03-05 }} |
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*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/ray-stevens Ray Stevens Interview] NAMM Oral History Library (2014) |
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* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/ray-stevens Ray Stevens Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (2014) |
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{{Ray Stevens}} |
{{Ray Stevens}} |
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Latest revision as of 21:46, 23 December 2024
Ray Stevens | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Harold Ray Ragsdale |
Born | Clarkdale, Georgia, U.S. | January 24, 1939
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Instruments |
|
Years active | 1957–present |
Labels | |
Spouse |
Penny Jackson
(m. 1961; died 2021) |
Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939),[1] known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country[2] and pop singer-songwriter and comedian.[3][4] He is best known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty", as well as novelty hits such as "Gitarzan" and "The Streak". Stevens has received gold albums for his music sales and has worked as a producer, music arranger, and television host. He is also an inductee of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Early life
[edit]Harold Ray Ragsdale was born on January 24, 1939, in Clarkdale, Georgia.[1] He is the elder of two sons born to Willis Harold Ragsdale (1915–2001) and Frances Stephens Ragsdale (1916–1997).[5] His younger brother, John, who died in 2020 at the age of 75, became an actor and writer.[6] While attending high school, Stevens formed his first band, a rhythm and blues group named The Barons. He began studying business administration at Georgia State College, but very quickly switched to become a music major. Stevens left after completing three of the four years required to obtain a degree, which he felt that he did not need.[7][8]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]At the age of 18, Stevens signed to Capitol Records' Prep Records division in 1957,[8] and produced the single "Silver Bracelet", with a cover of "Rang Tang Ding Dong" as the B-side. The single was met with a positive review from Billboard.[9] The B-side was originally recorded by doo-wop group The Cellos in 1956.[10]
Stevens signed with Mercury Records in 1961.[11]
1970s
[edit]In the 1970s, Stevens became a producer and studio musician in Nashville. He recorded songs for Barnaby Records and Warner Brothers during 1970–79. Stevens' biggest hit in the U.S. was his gospel-inflected single "Everything Is Beautiful" (1970). It won a Grammy Award, was the theme song for his summer 1970 TV show, a number one hit on both the pop and Adult-Contemporary charts, and marked his first time in the Top 40 on the country charts, peaking at number 39. The single sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.[12]
Stevens had a transatlantic chart-topping hit in 1974 with "The Streak", a novelty song about streaking that reached number one on the American and British singles charts.[13][14]
Through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some exceptions (such as "Shriner's Convention" in 1981), Stevens focused mostly on serious material, as he felt that the novelty song was becoming less popular in the era.[15] Stevens had an adult contemporary crossover hit in 1979 with "I Need Your Help Barry Manilow", a cut from Stevens's Barry Manilow tribute/parody album The Feeling's Not Right Again.[16]
1980s
[edit]Stevens then joined MCA in 1984. Feeling that novelty songs were becoming popular again, he authorized the rush release of "Mississippi Squirrel Revival" in 1984, which reached the country top 20.[15] In 1985, Stevens performed at the Lanierland Music Park in Georgia with Pinkard & Bowden.[17]
21st century
[edit]In February 2002, following the September 11 attacks, Stevens released Osama—Yo' Mama: The Album after the title track, which was released as a single in late 2001, peaked at #48 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2001. The album reached #29 on the US Top Country Albums chart.
In April 2010, Stevens released We the People, a CD/DVD of political songs. This album reached Top-5 on the Billboard Comedy Album chart.[18][19]
RAY-ality TV ended its digital TV run in January 2014. Two months later, a webisode series, also titled Rayality TV was launched. Later in 2014, Stevens co-starred in the movie Campin' Buddies.[20]
Stevens published his autobiographical memoir Ray Stevens' Nashville in 2014.[21][22]
In 2015, Stevens began producing and hosting Ray Stevens Nashville, a 30-minute weekly music variety show on cable TV. Since then, the show has been rebranded as Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville and is now filmed on stage at his own CabaRay Showroom, which opened to the public in early 2018.
Stevens released the album Here We Go Again on March 24, 2015, which includes the Taylor Swift spoof single "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me"[23] and "Come to the USA".[24]
Personal life
[edit]Stevens was married to Penny Jackson Ragsdale for over 60 years, until her death on December 31, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Two days prior, he had canceled his New Year's Eve concert at CabaRay, due to Penny's rapidly declining health. They had two daughters, Suzi and Timi, and four grandchildren.[25]
Discography
[edit]Accolades
[edit]Grammy awards
[edit]Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Best Contemporary Male Vocalist | "Gitarzan" | Nominated | [26] |
1971 | "Everything Is Beautiful" | Won | [27] | |
1971 | Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | "Everything Is Beautiful" | Nominated | [28] |
1971 | Contemporary Song | "Everything Is Beautiful" | Nominated | [28] |
1971 | Record of the Year | "Everything Is Beautiful" | Nominated | [28] |
1971 | Song of the Year | "Everything Is Beautiful" | Nominated | [28] |
1971 | Best Inspirational Performance | "Love Lifted Me" | Nominated | [28] |
1976 | Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | "Misty" | Won | [27] |
1976 | Best Country Vocal Performance – Male | "Misty" | Nominated | [29] |
1980 | Best Comedy Recording | "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow" | Nominated | [30] |
1988 | "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex" | Nominated | [31] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Ray Stevens just thinks funny". Ray Stevens. January 8, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (October 10, 2009). "Shelby Singleton, Nashville Producer, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Ray Stevens Comes Streaking Back With Immigration Song". The New York Times. June 2, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ^ Roy, Don (1998). "Ray Stevens". In Kingsbury, Paul (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Country Music. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 507. ISBN 978-0195116717 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Ray Stevens | Artist Bio". Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Pernicano, Jennifer (April 2, 2020). "Ray Stevens' Younger Brother Has 'Unexpectedly' Died At Age 75". Classic Country Music. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Hieronymus, Clara (December 1970). "Ray Stevens". BMI: The Many Worlds of Music. New York: Broadcast Music, Inc. p. 19.
- ^ a b Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Steven Thomas; Bogdanov, Vladamir; Erlewine, Michael (1997). All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Country Recordings. Backbeat Books. p. 448. ISBN 978-0-8793-0475-1.
- ^ "Reviews and Ratings". Billboard. January 24, 1957. p. 52.
- ^ Warner, Jay (2006). American Singing Groups: A History, From 1940 to Today. Hal Leonard. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-352-33533-3.
- ^ Wadhams, Wayne (2001). Inside the Hits: The Seduction of a Rock and Roll Generation (Pop Culture). Berklee Press. pp. 78–82. ISBN 978-0-6340-1430-7.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-2142-0512-5.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits (updated and expanded 5th ed.). Billboard Books. p. 365. ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 301. ISBN 978-1-9049-9410-7.
- ^ a b "Stevens Nuts over 'Squirrel'". Billboard. December 8, 1984. pp. 39, 42.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016.
- ^ "Box Score Top Grossing Concerts". Billboard. June 1, 1985. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Ray Stevens Bio: Ray Stevens Career". CMT Artists. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
- ^ "We The People CD". Ray Stevens. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
- ^ "Ray Stevens – Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ^ Stevens, Ray; Kalb, C. W. Buddy (March 1, 2014). Ray Stevens' Nashville. Harold R.Ragsdale A/K/A Ray Stevens. ISBN 978-0-6159-9308-9. Retrieved October 27, 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ Betts, Stephen L. (June 20, 2014). "Ray Stevens' Nashville Details Comic Performer's Versatile Career: Comedic country legend writes memoir of good old days in Music City". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
- ^ Billboard, March 24, 2015 – Ray Stevens Returns With 'Taylor Swift Is Stalkin' Me' – By Chuck Dauphin
- ^ Dauphin, Chuck (March 24, 2015). "Ray Stevens Has YouTube Hit With Pro-Arizona Song". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Dukes, Billy (January 2022). "Ray Stevens' Wife Penny Has Died". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male". Rockonthennet.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ a b "Past Winners Search". Grammy Awards. April 30, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Grammy Awards 1971". Awardsandshows.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ "Grammy Awards 1976". Awardsandshows.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ Arar, Yardena (January 9, 1980). "Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ McShane, Larry (January 15, 1988). "Irish rockers among Grammy nominees". The Telegraph. Nashua, NH. Associated Press. p. 35. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Ray Stevens Cabaray Showroom Official Website
- Ray Stevens at IMDb
- Tom Redmond – Working with Chet Atkins: An Interview with Ray Stevens
- Ray Stevens – MyBestYears.COM INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Ray Stevens Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (2014)
- 1939 births
- 20th-century American comedians
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 20th-century American pianists
- 21st-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American pianists
- American comedy musicians
- American country keyboardists
- American country pianists
- American country singer-songwriters
- American male pianists
- American male singer-songwriters
- American novelty song performers
- CBS Records artists
- Comedians from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Country Music Hall of Fame inductees
- Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Curb Records artists
- Georgia State University alumni
- Grammy Award winners
- Living people
- MCA Records artists
- Mercury Records artists
- Monument Records artists
- National Recording Corporation artists
- People from Cobb County, Georgia
- RCA Records artists
- Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Warner Records artists