Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2011, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Ray Price, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 18 May 2011.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Ray Price who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Ray Price
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 18 May 2011.
‘I really like him.
He’s a fine singer.
I believe, if he is given the right opportunity and can get over the hurdle of today’s music, he should be able to maintain a great career.
I like him as a person and only wish him the best’
Thank you, Ray Price, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Ray Price…
Ray Price was born Ray Noble Price on Tuesday 12 January 1926 in Perryville, Texas; his wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as one of the best male voices within the genre of country music.
Ray Price spent most of his youth in Dallas; it was there where he learned how to play guitar and sing. Following his high school graduation, Ray Price studied veterinary medicine at North Texas Agricultural College in Abilene before he left school to join the United States Marines in 1942.
Ray Price stayed in the service throughout the Second World War, returning to Texas in 1946. After leaving the United States Marines, Ray Price initially returned to college, yet he began to perform at local clubs and honky tonks, as well as appearances on local radio station KRBC, where he was dubbed ‘The Cherokee Cowboy’.
Three years later, in 1949, Ray Price was invited to join the Dallas-based Big D Jamboree, which convinced him to make music his full-time career. It was shortly after joining Big D Jamboree that the show began to be televised by CBS, which helped Ray Price release a single, ‘Your Wedding Corsage’ / ‘Jealous Lies’, on Bullet Records, an independent Dallas record label.
In 1951, Ray Price moved to Nashville in order to pursue a major-label record contract. After auditioning and failing several times, Ray Price finally signed to Columbia Records, after A&R representative Troy Martin convinced the label’s chief executive, Don Law (Monday 24 February 1902 – Monday 20 December 1982), that Decca was prepared to give the singer a contract.
Previously, Don Law (Monday 24 February 1902 – Monday 20 December 1982) was uninterested in Ray Price – he turned him down twenty times and threatened Troy Martin never to mention his name again – but he was unprepared to give a rival company a chance at the vocalist.
In July 1957, Ray Price saw the release of his debut album, ‘Ray Price Sings Heart Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1957), which included the following tracks:
‘I Love You Because’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Let Me Talk To You’, which was written by Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008) and Don Davis
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’, which was written by Alton Delmore, Henry Bernard Glover (21 May 1921 – Sunday 7 April 1991), Rabon Delmore and Wayne Raney
‘Many Tears Ago’, which was written by Jenny Lou Carson (Wednesday 13 January 1915 – Saturday 16 December 1978)
‘Letters Have No Arms’, which was written by Arbie Gibson and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Billy Jack Wills, Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and John Wills
‘Remember Me (I’m The One Who Loves You)’, which was written by Stuart Hamblen (Tuesday 20 October 1908 – Wednesday 8 March 1989)
‘I Saw My Castles Fall Today’, which was written by Ray Price and Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 – Sunday 11 October 1959)
‘I’ll Sail My Ship Alone’, which was written by Moon Mullican (Monday 29 March 1909 – Sunday 1 January 1967)
‘I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Mansion On The Hill’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) and Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Pins & Needles (In My Heart)’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Price’s debut album, ‘Ray Price Sings Heart Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1957), included the following:
Ray Price (lead vocals)
Clifton Howard Vandevender, Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019), James Selph and Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024) (guitar)
Jack Evins and Jimmy Day (Tuesday 9 January 1934 – Friday 22 January 1999) (steel guitar)
Tommy Jackson (Wednesday 31 March 1926 – Sunday 9 December 1979) (fiddle)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) and Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) (bass)
Floyd Cramer (Friday 27 October 1933 – Wednesday 31 December 1997) (piano)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
In Billboard magazine’s annual poll of country and western disc jockeys, Ray Price’s debut album, ‘Ray Price Sings Heart Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1957), was ranked No.1 among the ‘Favourite C&W Albums’ of 1957.
(Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
Prior to ‘Talk To Your Heart’ (written by C.M. Bradley and Louise Ulrich) becoming a Billboard No.3 hit single for Ray Price in the spring of 1952, Ray Price met his idol, Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), who immediately became a close friend.
‘Talk To Your Heart’ (written by C.M. Bradley and Louise Ulrich) was subsequently included on ‘Talk To Your Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1958), Ray Price’s second album for Columbia Records, which was released in April 1958, and included the following tracks:
‘I’ll Keep On Loving You’, which was written by Tillman Franks (Wednesday 29 September 1920 – Thursday 26 October 2006)
‘I Love You So Much (It Hurts)’, which was written by Tillman Franks (Wednesday 29 September 1920 – Thursday 26 October 2006)
‘I Told You So’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 – Sunday 11 October 1959)
‘Wondering’, which was written by Joseph Edward Werner (20 September 1909 – Saturday 10 June 1978)
‘Deep Water’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Ice Cold Heart’, which was written by Benny Edward Martin (Tuesday 8 May 1928 – Tuesday 13 March 2001)
‘I Gotta Have My Baby Back’, which was written by Tillman Franks (Wednesday 29 September 1920 – Thursday 26 October 2006)
‘There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘I’m Tired’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Ray Price
‘Driftwood On The River’ (written by Bob Miller and John Klenner)
‘Please Don’t Leave Me’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Price’s ‘Talk To Your Heart’ (1958 by Columbia Records, 1958) included the following:
Ray Price (lead vocals)
Benny Martin, Clifton Howard Vandevender, Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019) and Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024) (guitar)
Jimmy Day (Tuesday 9 January 1934 – Friday 22 January 1999) (steel guitar)
Tommy Jackson (Wednesday 31 March 1926 – Sunday 9 December 1979) (fiddle)
Floyd ‘Lightnin” Chance (bass)
Floyd Cramer (Friday 27 October 1933 – Wednesday 31 December 1997) (piano)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
On Monday 17 November 1958, Ray Price’s ‘Talk To Your Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1958) was rated No.3 on Billboard magazine’s ‘Favourite C&W Albums’ based on the magazine’s annual poll of country and western disc jockeys.
Over the next year, Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) performed a number of favours for Ray Price, including giving him ‘Weary Blues’ to record and helping him join The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Ray Price also became the permanent substitute for Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) whenever he was missing or too drunk to perform.
Following Hank Williams’ death in the early hours of Thursday 1 January 1953, Ray Price inherited The Drifting Cowboys.
Following the success of ‘Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes’, which reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in the fall of 1952, and was subsequently included on ‘Collector’s Choice’ (Harmony Records, 1966), Ray Price was quiet for much of 1953.
It wasn’t until 1954 that Ray Price returned to the Billboard country music singles chart. Ray Price enjoyed a hit single with a double-sided record; ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (written by Rusty Gabbard and Ray Price) reached No.2, while ‘Release Me’ reached No.6.
Instead of capitalising on that success, Ray Price disappeared from the Billboard country music singles chart during 1955, as he spent the year forming The Cherokee Cowboys. Over the previous two years, Ray Price had realised that performing with The Drifting Cowboys had made him sound too similar to Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), so he decided to form his own group.
Originally, most of the members were lifted from Lefty Frizzell’s Western Cherokees, but over the years that followed, a number of gifted musicians began their careers in this band, including Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003), Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015), Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), Darrell McCall and Willie Nelson.
In 1955, Ray Price made a triumphant return to the Billboard country music singles chart, first with ‘Run Boy’, which reached No.5.
Ray Price’s musical experimentation culminated in the 4/4 bass-driven ‘Crazy Arms’, which was written by Chuck Seals and famed Texas steel guitarist, Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011); the track, which was the first of Ray Price’s patented four/four shuffles, was recorded on Thursday 1 March 1956.
The intensely rhythmic sound Ray Price discovered with ‘Crazy Arms’ dominated his style of country music for the next six years, up until 1962; people in Nashville refer to a 4/4 country shuffle as ‘The ‘Ray Price Beat’.
‘Crazy Arms’ went on to become a country music standard and spent 45 weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart, twenty of those at No.1, in 1956.
‘Crazy Arms’ was one of the first country music records to be recorded with a drum kit, which gave it a relentless, pulsating rhythm. Until Ray Price, most country music artists were reluctant to use drums and the instrument was banned at one time from the stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
The astonishing status of ‘Crazy Arms’ helped change that situation; the single not only crossed over into the lower reaches of the Billboard pop music singles chart, but it also established Ray Price as a star.
After the success of ‘Crazy Arms’, Ray Price remained at or near the top of the Billboard country music singles chart for the next ten years, racking up 23 Top Ten singles between 1956 and 1966; ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (written by Ray Price and Wayne Walker) (No.2, 1956), ‘My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You’ (No.1, 1957) and ‘Curtain In The Window’ (No.3, 1958).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) wrote one of Ray Price’s classic songs during 1958 and also sang harmony on the track; ‘Invitation To The Blues’ reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1958.
‘City Lights’, which was written by Bill Anderson when he was nineteen years old while working in Commerce, Georgia at radio station WJJC-AM, was recorded by Ray Price in 1958; the song was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twelve weeks between October 1958 and January 1959.
As a result, Bill Anderson took full advantage of his big break, moved to Nashville and landed a recording contract with Decca Records.
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) reached No.71 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958 and was subsequently included on ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961).
In 1959, Ray Price enjoyed a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart with ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’, which reached No.7.
It was also in 1959 when Ray Price recorded ‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959, while ‘The Same Old Me’ (written by Fuzzy Owen) was No.1 for two weeks in December 1959.
In 1960, Ray Price recorded ‘Heart Over Mind’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘George Jones Sings Country & Western Hits’ (Mercury Records, 1961).
In March 1961, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961), which included the following tracks:
‘Crazy Arms’, which was written by Chuck Seals and Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (No.1 for twenty weeks in 1956) / this track also reached No.27 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1956
‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was written by Ray Price and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) (No.7, 1956)
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.1 for twelve weeks between October 1958 and January 1959 / this track also reached No.71 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958
‘Invitation To The Blues’ (No.3, 1958) / this track also reached No.92 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958
‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (written by Ray Price and Wayne Walker) (No.2, 1956)
‘Who’ll Be The First’
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.2, 1959)
‘Same Old Me’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1959)
‘Release Me (& Let Me Love Again)’, which was written by Eddie Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and Robert Yount (Sunday 20 October 1929 – Thursday 30 June 2005) (No.6, 1954)
‘One More Time’ (No.5, 1960)
‘My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Lee Ross (No.1, 1957) / this track also reached No.63 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1957
‘I’ll Be There (When You Get Lonely)’ (No.12, 1957)
In 1963, Ray Price recorded ‘Nightlife’ (written by Willie Nelson) and included the track on ‘Night Life’ (Columbia Records, 1963); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963.
Ray Price’s ‘Night Life’ (Columbia Records, 1963) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1963.
Connie Smith recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965).
On Monday 27 March 2006, England’s Hux Records released Connie Smith‘s ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965), along with Connie Smith‘s ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 76).
Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009) recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘Once Over Lightly’ (RCA Victor Records, 1965).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), with Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 – Wednesday 5 April 2006) and Melba Montgomery, recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Famous Country Duets’ (Muxicor Records, 1965).
Ray Price achieved a number of Top 10 hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart in the 1960s, including the following:
‘Soft Rain’ (No.3, 1961)
‘Pride’ (No.5, 1962)
‘Walk Me To The Door’ (No.7, 1962)
‘Make The World Go Away’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) (No.2, 1963)
‘Burning Memories’ (No.2, 1964)
‘Please Talk To My Heart’ (No.7, 1964)
‘The Other Woman (In My Life)’ (No.2, 1965)
‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) (No.11, 1965)
‘A Way To Survive’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Moneen Carpenter (No.7, 1966)
‘Touch My Heart’ (No.3, 1966)
‘Danny Boy’, which was written by Frederic Edward Weatherly (4 October 1848 – Saturday 7 September 1929) (No.9, 1967)
‘I’m Still Not Over You’ (No.6, 1967)
‘Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go)’ (No.8, 1967)
‘She Wears My Ring’, which was written by Narciso Serradell Sevilla (1843 – 1910), Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003) and Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) (No.6, 1968)
The Everly Brothers – Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) and Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) – recorded Ray Price’s ‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was co-written with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), and included the track on ‘Roots’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1968).
‘For The Good Times’ was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024), who included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Kristofferson’ (Monument Records, 1970).
On Monday 16 March 1970, Ray Price recorded ‘For The Good Times’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024), and included the track on ‘For The Good Times’ (Columbia Records, 1970); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1970 and was awarded ‘Song of The Year’ by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
‘For The Good Times’, coupled with ‘Grazin’ in Greener Pastures’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1970 (Saturday 19 September 1970 – Saturday 26 September 1970) and spent a total of nineteen weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track, which also reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1970, became Ray Price’s only release to hit the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart.
Ray Price’s ‘For The Good Times’ (Columbia Records, 1970) was awarded ‘Album of The Year’ by the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.
In May 1971, Ray Price saw the release of ‘I Won’t Mention It Again’ (Columbia Records, 1971), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Won’t Mention It Again’, which was written by Don Law (Monday 24 February 1902 – Monday 20 December 1982) and Frank Jones (No.1 for three weeks in May / June 1971) / this track also reached No.42 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1970
‘I’d Rather Be Sorry’ (No.2, 1970)
Ray Price’s ‘I Won’t Mention It Again’ (Columbia Records, 1971) was awarded ‘Album of The Year’ by the Country Music Association (CMA), and reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1971.
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (co-written with Wayne Walker) and included the track on ‘Baby, It’s So Hard To Be Good’ (Decca Records, 1972).
In March 1973, Ray Price saw the release of ‘She’s Got To Be A Saint’ (Columbia Records, 1973), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘She’s Got To Be A Saint’ (written by Joe Paulini and Mario J. DiNapoli) (No.1 for three weeks in December 1972 / January 1973)
Ray Price’s ‘She’s Got To Be A Saint’ (Columbia Records, 1973) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1973.
In March 1974, Ray Price saw the release of ‘You’re The Best Thing’ (Columbia Records, 1974), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) (No.1 for one week in October 1973)
‘Storms of Troubled Times’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) (No.25, 1974)
‘Like A First Time Thing’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) (No.15, 1974)
Ray Price’s ‘You’re The Best Thing’ (Columbia Records, 1974) reached No.24 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
By the mid-1970s, the appeal of Ray Price’s string-laden country-pop hits had diminished and he spent the rest of the decade struggling to get into the country music charts.
In 1974, Ray Price left his long-time home of Columbia Records and signed to Myrrh Records, where he enjoyed two Billboard Top 10 country music hit singles over the next year.
Ronnie Milsap recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘Night Things’ (RCA Victor Records, 1975).
By the end of 1975, Ray Price had departed Myrrh Records and signed to ABC / Dot Records. Although he hadn’t changed his style, Ray Price’s records became less popular around the same time he signed to ABC / Dot Records.
Only ‘Mansion On The Hill’, which was released in 1976, gained attention, reaching No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track was included on ‘Hank ‘N’ Me’ (ABC / Dot Records, 1976).
In April 1977, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Reunited’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1977), which was produced by Jim Foglesong, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Different Kind of Flower’ (written by G. Sefton) (No.28, 1977)
Ray Price’s ‘Reunited’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You’, which was written by Lee Ross and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Storms Never Last’ (written by Jessi Colter)
‘We Go Back’
‘Pick Me Up On Your Way Down’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘The Mornin’ After Baby Let Me Down’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) (written by Rusty Gabbard and Ray Price)
‘Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes’, which was written by Slim Willet (Winston Lee Moore) (Monday 1 December 1919 – Friday 1 July 1966)
‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Ray Price
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Price’s ‘Reunited’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1977) included the following:
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021)
Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008)
Buddy Spicher
Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001)
Harald ‘Hal’ Rugg (Tuesday 21 July 1936 – Tuesday 9 August 2005)
Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019)
Jerry Whitehurst
Jim Buchanan
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017)
Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024)
Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022)
Tony Migliore
Ray Price’s ‘Reunited’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1977) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In 1978, Ray Price switched record labels again, signing with Monument Records.
In April 1979, Ray Price saw the release of ‘There’s Always Me’ (Monument Records, 1979), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Feet’ (No.19, 1978)
‘There’s Always Me’ (No.30, 1979)
‘That’s The Only Way To Say Good Morning’ (No.18, 1979)
‘Misty Morning Rain’ (No.43, 1979)
In 1979, Curtis Potter (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016) recorded Ray Price’s ‘Soft Rain’, as a non-album single, for Hillside Records.
In 1980, Ray Price reunited with his old bass player, Willie Nelson, and recorded a duet album, ‘San Antonio Rose’ (Columbia Records, 1980), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), John Wills and Billy Jack Wills (No.3, 1980)
‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) (No.11, 1980)
In September 1981, following the signing of a recording contract with Dimension Records, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Town & Country’ (Dimension Records, 1981), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Getting Over You Again’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb (No.28, 1981) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘The Good Ole Days‘ (Step One Records, 1996)
‘It Don’t Hurt Me Half As Bad’ (written by Joe Allen, D. Lay and B. Lindsay) (No.6, 1981) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977)
‘Diamonds In The Stars’ (written by Jesse Shofner) (No.9, 1981)
‘Forty & Fading’ (No.18, 1982)
Ray Price’s ‘Town & Country’ (Dimension Records, 1981) also included ‘Circle Driveway’ (written by Joe Allen), which was recorded by Gene Watson, who included the track on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979).
In December 1982, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Somewhere In Texas’ (Dimension Records, 1982), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Wait ‘Til Those Bridges Are Gone’ (No.62, 1982)
‘Somewhere Down In Texas’ (No.55, 1982)
Ray Price’s ‘Somewhere In Texas’ (Dimension Records, 1982) also included ‘You’re Just Another Beer Drinkin’ Song’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004); the track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983).
In 1983, Ray Price departed the roster at Dimension Records and signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, where he remained for one year, and saw the release of ‘Master of The Art’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Willie, Write Me A Song’ (No.72, 1983)
‘Scotch & Soda’ (No.70, 1983)
‘Coors In Colorado’ / this track was released as a single in 1983, but it did not chart
In 1983, Ray Price signed with Viva Records, a record label he remained with until 1984.
Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) recorded Ray Price’s ‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was co-written with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), and included the track on ‘California Road’ (RCA Victor Records, 1985).
In 1985, Ray Price signed a recording contract with Step One Records, an independent record label, which was created by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), songwriter Mel Hot and country music artist Curtis Potter (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016).
Ray Price remained with Step One Records until 1989, where he recorded a number of albums.
In September 1985, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Welcome To Ray Price Country’ (Step One Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘(She’s Got A Hold of Me Where It Hurts) She Won’t Let Go’ (No.77, 1985)
‘I’m Not Leaving (I’m Just Getting Out of Your Way)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Saturday 2 June 2018) and Dean Dillon (No.81, 1985)
‘Five Fingers’ (No.67, 1985)
Ray Price’s ‘Welcome To Ray Price Country’ (Step One Records, 1985) also included ‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004); the track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985).
In December 1985, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Portrait of A Singer’ (Step One Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You’, which was written by Russ Morgan (29 April 1904 – Thursday 7 August 1969) and Larry Stock (1896 – Friday 4 May 1984) (No.60, 1986)
‘All The Way’, which was written by Jimmy Van Heusen (26 January 1913 – Tuesday 6 February 1990) and Sammy Cahn (18 June 1913 – Friday 15 January 1993) (No.73, 1986)
‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’, which was written by Samuel Howard Stept (18 September 1897 – Tuesday 1 December 1964) and Sidney Clare (15 August 1892 – Tuesday 29 August 1972) (No.86, 1986)
In May 1986, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 1’ (Step One Records, 1986), which included the following tracks, all of which were re-recordings:
‘Crazy Arms’, which was written by Chuck Seals and Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twenty weeks in 1956, and also reached No.27 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1956
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twelve weeks between October 1958 and January 1959, and also reached No.71 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958
‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (written by Rusty Gabbard and Ray Price)
‘Half A Man’
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959
‘Release Me (& Let Me Love Again)’, which was written by Eddie Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and Robert Yount (Sunday 20 October 1929 – Thursday 30 June 2005) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1954
‘My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Lee Ross / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1957, and also reached No.63 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1957
‘Soft Rain’ (written by Ray Price) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961
‘I’ll Sail My Ship Alone’ / the original version of this track was an album track in 1957
‘Burning Memories’ / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
In June 1986, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (Step One Records, 1986), which included the following tracks, all of which were re-recordings:
‘Danny Boy’, which was written by Frederic Edward Weatherly (4 October 1848 – Saturday 7 September 1929) / the original version of this track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘Touch My Heart’ / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘Crazy’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track reached No.73 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘A Way To Survive’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Moneen Carpenter / the original version of this track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in October 1973
‘Nightlife’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963
‘The Other Woman (In My Life)’ / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / the original version of this track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘I’d Rather Be Sorry’ (written by Kris Kristofferson) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Grazin’ In Greener Pastures’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1970
It was also in June 1986 when Ray Price saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 3’ (Step One Records, 1986), which included the following tracks, all of which were re-recordings:
‘For The Good Times’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1970
‘She Wears My Ring’, which was written by Narciso Serradell Sevilla (1843 – 1910), Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003) and Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968
‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) / the original version of this track was an album track in 1970
‘Getting Over You Again’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb / the original version of this track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981
‘Forty & Fading’ / the original version of this track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982
‘Diamonds In The Stars’ / the original version of this track was an album track in 1981
‘Sweetheart of The Year’ / the original version of this track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969
‘I’m Still Not Over You’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘It Don’t Hurt Me Half As Bad’ (written by Joe Allen, D. Lay and B. Lindsay) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981 / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977)
‘I Won’t Mention It Again’, which was written by Don Law (Monday 24 February 1902 – Monday 20 December 1982) and Frank Jones / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in May / June 1971, and also reached No.42 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1971
Darrell McCall & Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Ray Price’s ‘The Twenty Fourth Hour’ and included the track on ‘Hot Texas Country’ (Step One Records, 1986).
Darrell McCall & Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Ray Price’s ‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was co-written with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), and included the track on ‘Hot Texas Country’ (Step One Records, 1986).
In September 1986, Ray Price saw the release of ‘A Revival of Old Time Singing’ (Step One Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:
‘In The Garden’
‘I’ll Fly Away’
‘Precious Memories’
‘Love Lifted Me’
‘Softly & Tenderly’
‘When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder’
‘What Did The Carpenter Build’
‘Amazing Grace’
‘In Vain’
‘Rock of Ages’
‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’
‘Just As I Am’
In December 1986, Ray Price saw the release of ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:
‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’
‘Walking The Floor Over You’
‘Please Don’t Leave Me’
‘I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)’
‘He’ll Have To Go’
‘Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go)’
‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain’
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’
‘Slippin’ Around’
‘Satisfied Mind’
‘Walking On New Grass’
‘Just Someone I Used To Know’
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘She Thinks I Still Care’ (written by Dickey Lee and Steve Duffy)
‘Is Anybody Going To San Antone’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘No One Will Ever Know’, which was written by Mel Foree (Tuesday 25 July 1911 – Sunday 28 October 1990) and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Last Letter’
‘Jealous Heart’
‘There Goes My Everything’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Waiting For A Train’
One of the musicians who played on Ray Price’s ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986) was Michael Douchette (Saturday 7 May 1955 – Friday 4 December 2020).
In November 1987, Ray Price saw the release of ‘A Christmas Gift For You’ (Step One Records, 1987), which included the following tracks:
‘Christmas Card’
‘Silver Bells’
‘Blue Christmas’
‘Jingle Bells’
‘Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer’
‘White Christmas’
‘For Christmas’
‘Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow’
‘With Christmas Near’
‘What A Merry Christmas This Would Be’
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’
‘Silent Night’
In March 1988, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Just Enough Love’ (Step One Records, 1988), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘When You Gave Your Love To Me’ (written by Jesse Shofner) (No.55, 1986)
‘Just Enough Love (For One Woman)’ (No.52, 1987)
‘Big Ole Teardrops’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb (No.68, 1988)
‘Don’t The Morning Always Come Too Soon’ (No.55, 1988)
‘I’d Do It All Over Again’ (No.83, 1988)
Ray Price’s ‘Just Enough Love’ (Step One Records, 1988) also included ‘Old Loves Never Die’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb; the track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981).
In July 1989, Ray Price saw the release of ‘By Request’ (Step One Records, 1989), which included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’
‘Spanish Eyes’
‘Invitation To The Blues’
‘This Cold War With You’
‘April’s Fool’
‘She’s Got To Be A Saint’ (written by Joe Paulini and Mario J. DiNapoli) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in December 1972 / January 1973
‘Twenty Fourth Hour’ (written by Ray Price)
‘Heart Over Mind’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) / the original version of this track was released as a non-album single and reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961; the track was subsequently included on ‘The Essential Ray Price: 1951 – 1962’ (Columbia Records, 1991)
‘Pride’ / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
‘I’ve Just Destroyed The World (I’m Living In)’ (written by Ray Price and Willie Nelson)
‘Somewhere In Texas’
Heather Myles recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘Highways & Honky Tonks’ (Rounder Records, 1998).
Robin & Linda Williams recorded Ray Price’s ‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was co-written with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and included the track on ‘The Rhythm of Love’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1990); the original version of the track was recorded by Ray Price, who included it on ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961), reaching No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1956.
In 1991, Ray Price & Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) saw the release of ‘Memories That Last’ (Step One Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:
‘Memories That Last’
‘Everybody Loves Somebody’
‘Too Big To Fight’
‘Take A Chance On Me’
‘Cold, Cold Heart’
‘Side By Side’
‘Somewhere Along The Way’
‘Walking My Baby Back Home’
‘Whole Lot of You’
‘Mansion On The Hill’
‘When I Fall In Love’
‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ (written by Willie Nelson)
In April 1992, Ray Price saw the release of ‘Step One Records Hall of Fame Series’ (Step One Records, 1992), which included the following tracks:
‘Take Back Your Old Love Letters’
‘Way It Was’
‘Love Me Down To Size’
‘Sometimes Left To Lose’
‘Leaving’s Not The Way To Go’
‘Let Me Talk To You’
‘Don’t Worry, I’m Not Staying Very Long’
‘Misty Morning Rain’
‘Now She’s In Paris’
‘Back To Wall’
‘There’s A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere’
‘I’m Not Crazy Yet’ / the original version of this track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘Over’
In the late 1990s, Ray Price stopped concentrating on recording and turned his attention to a theatre he owned in Branson, Missouri.
For most of the 1990s, Ray Price performed at his theatre in Branson and occasionally recorded.
Of all of Ray Price’s albums released in the 1990s, the most notable was ‘Sometimes A Rose’ (Columbia Records, 1991), which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included the following tracks:
‘Somebody Almost Loved You’, which was written by Glenn Ray (1938 – Thursday 11 June 2020) and Roger Brown
‘I Apologize’ (written by David Stephenson and Roger Brown)
‘There’s Not A Dry Eye In The House’ (written by Bob McDill and Paul Harrison)
‘You Need A Lady In Your Life’ (written by Eddie Burton and Thomas Allen Grant)
‘When The Blues Hit Town’ (written by Rick Peoples and Roger Brown)
‘What Am I Gonna Do Without You’ (written by Larry Bastian)
‘A Way To Free Myself’ (written by Joe Hayes and Charlie Walker)
‘Sometimes A Rose’ (written by Roger Brown)
‘Look What Followed Me Home’ (written by Rick Peoples and Roger Brown)
‘Please Don’t Leave Me’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
Nick Lowe recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘The Impossible Bird’ (Demon Records / Upstart Records, 1994).
On Saturday 3 August 1996, Ray Price was inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Willie Nelson recorded Ray Price’s ‘I Just Destroyed The World (I’m Living In)’ (co-written with Willie Nelson) and included the track on ‘Teatro’ (Island Records, 1998).
Charlie Shearer recorded Ray Price’s ‘I Just Destroyed The World (I’m Living In)’ (co-written with Willie Nelson) and included the track on ‘Breakin’ Out’ (Universal Sound Records, 2000), which was co-produced by Gary Hogue (Tuesday 30 March 1954 – Sunday 14 May 2000) and Curt Ryle.
Curt Ryle also played steel guitar, acoustic guitar and classical guitar and provided background vocals on Charlie Shearer’s ‘Breakin’ Out’ (Universal Sound Records, 2000).
Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘Honky Tonic’ (BGM Records, 2004).
Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Ray Price’s ‘Each Time’ and included the track on ‘Honky Tonic’ (BGM Records, 2004).
On Tuesday 10 May 2005, Robert Earl Keen saw the release of ‘What I Really Mean’ (Koch Records, 2005); the album included ‘A Border Tragedy’, a track which featured Ray Price performing a part of ‘Streets of Laredo’.
Willie Nelson recorded Ray Price’s ‘I Just Destroyed The World (I’m Living In)’ (co-written with Willie Nelson) and included the track on ‘Countryman’ (Lost Highway Records, 2005).
In 2007, Ray Price collaborated with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) on ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007), a 2-disc set, which was released on Tuesday 20 March 2007; the album debuted at No.64 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2007, selling about 13,000 copies in its first week of release.
Ray Price, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard’s ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007) reached No.33 on Rolling Stone’s list of ‘Top 50 Albums of 2007’, and reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2007.
Curtis Potter (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016) recorded Ray Price’s ‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (co-written with Rusty Gabbard) and included the track on ‘When The Neon Lights Come On’ (Hillside Records, 2008).
Willie Nelson recorded Ray Price’s ‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was co-written with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), and included the track on ‘Country Music’ (Rounder Records, 2010).
In 2011, Garry Ash paid tribute to both George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Ray Price with the track ‘Possum & Price’ (written by Jim Massey), which was included on ‘Man In The Moon’ (Garry Ash Independent Release, 2011).
On Tuesday 7 June 2011, Randy Travis saw the release of ’25th Anniversary Celebration’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2011), which was produced by Kyle Lehning; one of the included tracks on the album, which was released to celebrate 25 years since the release of Randy Travis‘ debut album, ‘Storms of Life’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986), was ‘Didn’t We Shine’, which was written by Don Schlitz and Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014), which featured guest vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Lorrie Morgan, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Joe Stampley and Gene Watson.
On Sunday 20 May 2012, Gene Watson and Ray Price performed together, at American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster, PA; the performance took place at 3:00pm.
In November 2012, Ray Price confirmed that he was fighting pancreatic cancer and, while it appeared to be in remission in early 2013, ultimately he succumbed to the final stages of it on Monday 16 December 2013.
It was on Monday 16 December 2013 when Gene Watson issued the following statement through his official website at genewatsonmusic.com:
‘I have just heard the sad news that our good friend, and one of my heroes, Ray Price, died today at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. I know you join me in sending condolences to his family.
One of the truly great singers of our time is gone. May he rest in peace’
Ray Price, who was eighty-seven years old, left East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas on Thursday 12 December 2013 for hospice care at his home in Mount Pleasant, Texas following a twenty-five month battle with pancreatic cancer.
According to Ray Price’s wife of forty-five years, Janie Price, the cancer had spread to his liver, lungs and intestines, even with aggressive treatment, and Ray Price and Janie had decided not to pursue further treatment.
Ray Price had been recording and touring for over six decades and continued to do so until May 2013. A new album, tentatively titled ‘Love Songs In Nashville’, was scheduled for release in 2014.
Several tribute albums and concerts were said to be in the works as well.
It was also on Thursday 12 December 2013 when Ray Price’s team sent this message; Ray Price wanted to give a final message to his fans:
‘I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them.
I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven’t let them down.
I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day’.
Obituary and service information for Ray Price was posted on the official website for Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue in Dallas, Texas.
Ray Price’s wife, Janie, thanked the fans for all of their love and messages and wanted to let fans know the best way to send them a note was on The Official Ray Price Facebook Page.
On Saturday 21 December 2013, a celebration of Ray Price’s life took place at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
On Saturday 28 December 2013, a second celebration of Ray Price’s life took place at 3:30pm at Canyon Creek Baptist Church, 2800 Custer Parkway in Richardson, Texas.
The Ray Price Memorial Fund was established in order to fund and maintain a memorial mausoleum in his honour, which would depict and celebrate the life and legacy that he achieved. This is for Ray Price’s fans, friends and anyone who loved him to come and visit. Any memorial contributions to The Ray Price Memorial Fund can be made in his honour at any Bank of America Branch. Memorials could also be made to Cypress Basin Hospice of Mt. Pleasant.
Ray Noble Price
Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013
On Tuesday 15 April 2014, Amerimonte Records released ‘Beauty Is…Ray Price: The Final Sessions’ (AmeriMonte Records, 2014), which was produced by Fred Foster (Sunday 26 July 1931 – Wednesday 20 February 2019), and included the following tracks:
‘Beauty Lies In The Eyes of The Beholder’ / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘This Thing of Ours’
‘I Can See You With My Eyes Closed’
‘It Always Will Be’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘No More Songs To Sing’
‘An Affair To Remember’ / this track featured guest vocals from Martina McBride
‘Senses’, which was written by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
‘Until Then’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘Beautiful Dreamer’
‘I Wish I Was Eighteen Again’
‘Among My Souvenirs’
‘I Believe’
Bergen White was the conductor, on all tracks, on Ray Price’s ‘Beauty Is…Ray Price: The Final Sessions’ (AmeriMonte Records, 2014).
On Friday 16 September 2016, Willie Nelson saw the release of ‘For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price’ (Legacy Recordings, 2016), which was produced by Fred Foster (Sunday 26 July 1931 – Wednesday 20 February 2019), and included the following tracks:
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1959 when it reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)’ (written by Rusty Gabbard and Ray Price) / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price on Monday 28 December 1953 at Tulane Hotel’s ‘Castle Recording Studio’ in Nashville, and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1954
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), John Wills and Billy Jack Wills / the original version of this track, which was recorded by Ray Price and Willie Nelson and included on their duet album, ‘San Antonio Rose’ (Columbia Records, 1980), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980
‘It Always Will Be’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track was included on Ray Price’s final album, ‘Beauty Is…Ray Price: The Final Sessions’ (AmeriMonte Records, 2014), which was produced by Fred Foster (Sunday 26 July 1931 – Wednesday 20 February 2019)
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1958, and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twelve weeks between October 1958 and January 1959, and No.71 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1958
‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1965, when it reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Make The World Go Away’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1963, when it reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘I’m Still Not Over You’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1967, when it reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart, and No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart
‘Night Life’ (written by Walt Breeland, Paul Buslirk and Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1963, when it reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Crazy Arms’, which was written by Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) and Charles Seals / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price on Thursday 1 March 1956; it reached No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart, and No.27 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart
‘Invitation To The Blues’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) / this track featured guest vocals from The Time Jumpers / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price in 1958, when it reached No.3 on the Billboard Country music singles chart
‘For The Good Times’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) / the original version of this track, which was recorded by Ray Price on Monday 16 March 1970, was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1970, and was awarded ‘Song of The Year’ by the Academy of Country Music (ACM)
Personnel involved in the recording of Willie Nelson’s ‘For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price’ (Legacy Recordings, 2016) included the following:
Brad Albin (upright bass)
Eddie Bayers and Billy Thomas (drums)
James Button (oboe)
Ellen Dockery, Jon Mark Ivey, Jordan Lehning, Shane McConnell, Lisa Silver and Kira Small (background vocals)
Larry Franklin, Kenny Sears and Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar)
Steve Gibson and Andy Reiss (electric guitar)
Vince Gill (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals)
Carl Gorodetzky (string arrangements)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
Jim Horn (flute, saxophone)
Jack Jezzro and Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Charlie McCoy (vibraphone)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Willie Nelson (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Mickey Raphael (harmonica)
Jeff Taylor (accordion, piano)
Bergen White (conductor, background vocals)
John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Willie Nelson’s ‘For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price’ (Legacy Recordings, 2016) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2016.
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