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{{short description|American country and pop singer-songwriter musician}}
{{Short description|American country and pop musician (born 1939)}}
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{{use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{other people|Ray Stevens}}
{{About|the singer|other persons of the same name|Ray Stevens (disambiguation)}}
⚫
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}

{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=August 2014}}
{{original research|date=October 2014}}
}}
<!-- possible [[WP:COI]] too: lots of unsourced [[WP:OR]] edits concerning YouTube metrics, including aggregate, specific marks at specific times, and other unsourced details about Stevens with [[WP:PUFFERY]] -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| 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}}
| birth_place = [[Clarkdale, Georgia]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Clarkdale, Georgia]], U.S.
| instrument = {{flatlist|
| instruments = {{flatlist|
*Vocals
*Vocals
*keyboards
*keyboards
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*[[Novelty song|novelty]]
*[[Novelty song|novelty]]
*[[comedy music|comedy]]}}
*[[comedy music|comedy]]}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| occupations = {{flatlist|
*Singer-songwriter
*Singer-songwriter
*arranger
*arranger
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*[[Columbia Records|CBS]]
*[[Columbia Records|CBS]]
*[[Janus Records|Janus]]}}
*[[Janus Records|Janus]]}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Penny Jackson|March 30, 1961|December 31, 2021|reason=died}}
}}
}}


'''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 | publisher = Ray Stevens | location = Nashville, Tennessee | 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]]|access-date=August 20, 2014}}</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]]|access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>Roy, Don (1998). "Ray Stevens." In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music'', Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;507.</ref> known for his [[Grammy]]-winning recordings "[[Everything Is Beautiful]]" and "[[Misty (song)|Misty]]", as well as comedic hits such as "[[Gitarzan]]" and "[[The Streak (song)|The Streak]]". He has received [[Music recording sales certification|gold albums]] for his music sales. He has worked as a producer, music arranger, and television host. He is an inductee of the [[Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame]], the [[Georgia Music Hall of Fame]], and the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]].
'''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]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
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> He has a younger brother, John, who was an actor and writer. His brother died in 2020 at the age of 75.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ray Stevens' Younger Brother Has "Unexpectedly" Died At Age 75|url=https://classiccountrymusic.com/ray-stevens-younger-brother-has-unexpectedly-died-at-age-75/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Classic Country Music|language=en-US}}</ref> While attending high school, Stevens formed his first band, a [[rhythm and blues]] group named The Barons. Following his graduation, Stevens enrolled in [[Georgia State University]] as a music major.<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=978-0-87930-475-1|author2=Erlewine, Steven Thomas |author3=Bogdanov, Vladamir |author4= Erlewine, Michael |page=448}}</ref>
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>


==Career==
==Career==
===Early career===
===Early career===
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 journal|title=Reviews and Ratings|page=52|journal=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>
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>


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>
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>


===1970s===
===1970s===
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). The single won a [[Grammy Award]], was the theme song for his summer 1970 TV show, hit number one 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. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
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>

| first= Joseph
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>
| last= Murrells

| year= 1978
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>
| 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= 0-214-20512-6
| url-access= registration
| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/286
}}</ref>


===1980s===
===1980s===
⚫
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>
{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2014}}
⚫
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>


===2010–2014===
===21st century===
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.
{{BLP sources section|date=October 2014}}


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>
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>


''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>
''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>


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>
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>


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.
===Since 2015===

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>
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>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Stevens was married to Penny Jackson Ragsdale for over 60 years, until her death on December 31, 2021, from a lengthy battle with cancer. Two days prior, he canceled his New Year's Eve concert at CabaRay, due to her rapidly declining health. They have two children.<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=tasteofcountry.com |access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref>
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>

==Discography==
{{main|Ray Stevens discography}}


==Accolades==
==Accolades==
===Grammy awards===
===Grammy awards===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
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| "Everything Is Beautiful"
| "Everything Is Beautiful"
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|<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.com|date=April 30, 2017|access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>
|<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>
|-
|-
| 1971
| 1971
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| "Everything Is Beautiful"
| "Everything Is Beautiful"
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<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>
|-
|-
| 1971
| 1971
Line 156: Line 147:
| "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow"
| "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow"
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|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|work=[[The Spokesman-Review]]|publisher=[[Cowles Publishing Company]]|first=Yardena|last=Arar}}</ref>
|<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>
|-
|-
| 1988
| 1988
| "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex"
| "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex"
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|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|work=[[The Telegraph (Nashua)|The Telegraph]]|publisher=Telegraph Publishing Company}}</ref>
|<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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==External links==
==External links==
* {{official website|https://www.raystevens.com/}}
* {{official website|https://www.raystevens.com/}}
* [https://raystevenscabaray.com/ Ray Stevens Cabaray Showroom Official Website]
* {{IMDb name|0828696}}
* {{IMDb name|0828696}}
* [http://misterguitar.us/news/raystevens2a.html Tom Redmond – Working with Chet Atkins: An Interview with Ray Stevens]
* [http://misterguitar.us/news/raystevens2a.html Tom Redmond – Working with Chet Atkins: An Interview with Ray Stevens]
* [http://mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/STEVENSRay051007.html Ray Stevens – MyBestYears.COM INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT]
* [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 }}
* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/ray-stevens Ray Stevens Interview] NAMM Oral History Library (2014)
* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/ray-stevens Ray Stevens Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (2014)


{{Ray Stevens}}
{{Ray Stevens}}
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Latest revision as of 21:46, 23 December 2024

This article is about the singer. For other persons of the same name, see Ray Stevens (disambiguation).
Ray Stevens
Stevens on The Johnny Cash Show, c. 1971
Stevens on The Johnny Cash Show, c. 1971
Background information
Birth nameHarold Ray Ragsdale
Born (1939-01-24) January 24, 1939 (age 85)
Clarkdale, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • arranger
  • comedian
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • trumpet
Years active1957–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

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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]
Main article: Ray Stevens discography

Accolades

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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]
  1. ^ a b "Ray Stevens just thinks funny". Ray Stevens. January 8, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (October 10, 2009). "Shelby Singleton, Nashville Producer, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Ray Stevens Comes Streaking Back With Immigration Song". The New York Times. June 2, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Ray Stevens | Artist Bio". Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. ^ Pernicano, Jennifer (April 2, 2020). "Ray Stevens' Younger Brother Has 'Unexpectedly' Died At Age 75". Classic Country Music. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Hieronymus, Clara (December 1970). "Ray Stevens". BMI: The Many Worlds of Music. New York: Broadcast Music, Inc. p. 19.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Reviews and Ratings". Billboard. January 24, 1957. p. 52.
  10. ^ Warner, Jay (2006). American Singing Groups: A History, From 1940 to Today. Hal Leonard. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-352-33533-3.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-2142-0512-5.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 301. ISBN 978-1-9049-9410-7.
  15. ^ a b "Stevens Nuts over 'Squirrel'". Billboard. December 8, 1984. pp. 39, 42.
  16. ^ "Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016.
  17. ^ "Box Score Top Grossing Concerts". Billboard. June 1, 1985. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510.
  18. ^ "Ray Stevens Bio: Ray Stevens Career". CMT Artists. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  19. ^ "We The People CD". Ray Stevens. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  20. ^ "Ray Stevens – Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Billboard, March 24, 2015 – Ray Stevens Returns With 'Taylor Swift Is Stalkin' Me' – By Chuck Dauphin
  24. ^ Dauphin, Chuck (March 24, 2015). "Ray Stevens Has YouTube Hit With Pro-Arizona Song". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  25. ^ Dukes, Billy (January 2022). "Ray Stevens' Wife Penny Has Died". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  26. ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male". Rockonthennet.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  27. ^ a b "Past Winners Search". Grammy Awards. April 30, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Grammy Awards 1971". Awardsandshows.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  29. ^ "Grammy Awards 1976". Awardsandshows.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  30. ^ Arar, Yardena (January 9, 1980). "Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  31. ^ McShane, Larry (January 15, 1988). "Irish rockers among Grammy nominees". The Telegraph. Nashua, NH. Associated Press. p. 35. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
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