Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray joined Jessica Northey and Country Music #CMchat for a Twitterview on Monday night, January 26, 2015. During Michael’s stay in Country Music #CMchat’s community, we learned a lot about the major label act who is heading out on tour with Sam Hunt and Native Run on the Lipstick Graffiti Tour.
What we already knew about Michael coming into the Twitterview was that his fans are incredibly supportive and attentive, always lending a hand to make sure that Michael remains a force with which to be reckoned in the country music industry. Already having his name behind songs like Big & Rich’s “Run Away with You” and a television competition singing show championship under his belt (under the watchful eye and mentorship of John Rich), Michael has done a stellar job building his resume and solidifying a foundation on which to construct a successful career of his very own.
During our Twitterview, we couldn’t wait to find out what Michael has up his sleeve in the short-term, aside from his tour with one of country music’s biggest new names. Luckily, our Country Music #CMchat team and community asked all the right questions, enlightening us on what we can expect from this 2015 One to Watch and proving that Michael Ray is an absolute class act.
First off, in Michael’s life he has two notable firsts: walking and eating couscous! Congratulations to Michael on both of those monumental firsts because they are both certainly life-changing!
We also learned a little bit about his background, as he shared that his grandfather influenced him so much that he wrote his favorite song, “Scars,” about the impact he had on his life. He also let our community know that he and his father happen to have matching tattoos on their arms. It sounds to us like the men in Michael’s family have incredibly close bonds!
Additionally, we were able to get some information out of Michael about his music, including what we can expect on his album and what his current single “Kiss You in the Morning” means to him. For the answers to these things and oh-so-much-more, we kindly direct you to this week’s Country Music #CMchat wrap-up below!
@MichaelRayMusic are you ready to get started? Don’t forget to use #CMchat in your tweets.
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey Ready! #CMChat pic.twitter.com/haarNFUux3
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q1 @MichaelRayMusic What attracted you to pursuing Country Music as a career? #CMchat
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey A1: Growing up in my family’s band, playing music, the songs, AND going to my first @garthbrooks show when I was 12. #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q2 @MichaelRayMusic When is the last time you did something for the first time? #CMchat via @MsWillieLosito
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @mswillielosito A2: 25 yrs ago I walked….! oh and I had couscous for the first time like a month ago #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q3 @MichaelRayMusic Favorite song you’ve written and why? #CMchat via @TieraBolt
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @TieraBolt A3: A song called “Scars” that I wrote for my grandfather probably 10 years ago-it’s a song for him…
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @TieraBolt A3b: … and the impact he’s had on my life #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q4 @MichaelRayMusic What’s 1 thing you absolutely cannot live without & 1 thing you wish we could all live without? #CMchat via @teeco71
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @teeco71 A4: Cell phone. For both. CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q5 @MichaelRayMusic Any stories you can tell us about any of your tattoos? #CMchat via @destini1964
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @destini1964 A5: My first tattoo was my Celtic cross, and my dad has the exact same …
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @destini1964 A5b: sleeve on his right arm that I have on my left. #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q6 @MichaelRayMusic What can we expect on your upcoming album and when? #CMchat via @BrittWV
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @brittwv A6: Songs to party to, songs that will hopefully take you back, get you through something…
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q7 @MichaelRayMusic If you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life – what are they? #CMchat via @NicolePiering
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @NicolePiering A7: 1-a Merle Haggard Greatest Hits album 2-Gary Allan “Tough All Over” … #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @NicolePiering A7b: … 3-Bruno Mars “Unorthodox Jukebox” #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q8 @MichaelRayMusic Do you have a songwriting ritual? #CMchat via @Sneezeguard
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @sneezeguard A8 No, not really. #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q9 @MichaelRayMusic What is one of your biggest “Music Goals” of 2015? #CMchat @AshleyAHelene
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @AshleyAHelene A9 to play as many places as possible! #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q10 @MichaelRayMusic What is your favorite song to perform live? #CMchat via @kimberlyeowens
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @kimberlyeowens A10: “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Keith Whitley, I really like to… #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @kimberlyeowens A10b: …pay respect to the class that came before us. #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q11 @MichaelRayMusic Tell us about your single #KissYouInTheMorning? #CMchat via @JenSwirsky
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @JenSwirsky A11: Whether it’s the beginning of a relationship or not, it’s about that spark-that fire … #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @JenSwirsky A11b: , when it feels right– doesn’t matter who is around, you just wanna be with that person… #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey @JenSwirsky A11c: … you don’t want it to end, you wanna kiss em in the morning #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
Q12 @MichaelRayMusic What would you want people to leave #CMchat knowing about you??
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey A12: Excited for 2015 and to get out there, and I hope everyone knows they can hit me up on twitter and facebook… #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey A12b: … and I look forward to meeting everyone! #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@MichaelRayMusic Is there anything you want to add??? #CMchat
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey Check out http://t.co/j7bTxoww76 to keep up with my tour schedule… #CMchat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey …and you can go there to listen to my Tour EP on @Spotify too! #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
@MichaelRayMusic What is the best way for people keep up with you? #CMchat
— Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) January 27, 2015
@JessicaNorthey http://t.co/n3pH6dmfp6 – everything is there, links to twitter, facebook, and Instagram. #CMChat
— Michael Ray (@Michaelraymusic) January 27, 2015
