“Certain songwriters can carry the weight of an entire lifetime in their words, Jim Ray is one of them. Jim is a gentle craftsman of words and sound with his storytelling and well worth a listen if you ever get the chance.“ 

- Joseph Kingsley Conkle of The Conkle Brothers

"I met Jim Ray at an open mic night that I host less than a year ago but I'm sure you've heard of love at first sight …

That's sort of what it was like... except it was attraction at first listen... to songs that I was entirely unfamiliar with... and having been a songwriter, myself, for most of my life, I understood what I was hearing.

I was hearing a man who has the ability to tap into his emotions and channel them through his voice, guitar, melody, chords and lyrics and personality and tap into other people's emotions and my emotions with his music.  

I must admit, I can get a little jaded, listening to other people's songs for the past 50 years of being a open mic host but some people's voice and some people's music makes your ears prick up, the hair on the back of your neck raise and occasionally, salty liquid leak out of your eyes.

That's what happened to me the first time I heard Jim Ray play his original songs... and while I've only known Jim less than a year, he's one of those people you either know your whole life, wish you'd known your whole life or feel like you've known your whole life.

I highly recommend Jim Ray's music and I highly recommend Jim Ray."

Steve Vuich 

Songwriter and musician 

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 “"Captivating and profoundly authentic, Jim’s performance was a standout experience. His original songs resonate with a heartfelt sincerity. Every note and lyric, is not just heard, but truly felt."

Zac Conkle

The Conkle Brothers

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“If your goal was to honor your son, you have done it. If your goal was to express your love and anguish, you have. If your goal was to draw others in to consider the brevity of life, you completed your task. If you wanted to expose raw emotion and draw a tear, cheers brother. 

Songwriting excellence.”   

- Mike Burton in response to “God Help Me.”

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“Hell of a songwriter here, folks!”

David G Ward

Musician and Host of Songwriters 5X5 Showcase

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