Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Audrey Ray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Audrey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

Being an Independent Country Music Singer-Songwriter, it’s a constant grind. You have to put in over 100% in your hours, time-management, constant “gigs” and constantly doing the best ways to get your name out there. I have been performing my entire life, from when I was just in High School, I would put on my own concerts at coffee shops and sell the place out! I was so proud of that moment in my life. Once I established my name in my hometown, I began playing bar shows even before I was 21 years old. Later on in my career, since those key moments, I started to get the amazing opportunity to open for many National Touring Country Musicians all across my home-state of Michigan. I’m very proud to say that I have opened up for Uncle Kracker, Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Joe Nichols, LOCASH, 90’s country icon Sammy Kershaw, to Granger Smith, country music legend Travis Tritt and the list goes on and on. I am so proud of all the accomplishments that I have made all throughout my career, all the while, being an Independent Un-Signed Artist. Recently, I took the leap of faith, and signed a producing deal with Dolly Parton’s long-time Producer, Kent Wells in Nashville, TN. I just came back from Nashville, and recorded two of my own original songs, working together with Kent. I’m still absolutely lost for words, and it’s truly a dream come true to work with him on my music. I will be releasing one song later this summer, and one to follow-up with in the fall. Going to Nashville to record truly helped to “scale” me up that’s for sure, while working with the top-notch artists, it truly blew me away while working together with his team.

Audrey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Music has always been a part of country singer-songwriter Audrey Ray’s life. From the time she was a little girl, she was destined for the stage.

Audrey began experimenting with music through her church choir, and began singing and putting on her own concerts by the time she was in middle school. Thanks to her father, he taught her three chords and Audrey taught herself the rest. After learning how to play the piano and guitar, shortly later she began developing her voice.

She grew up listening to a variety of country music, ranging from Hank Williams, Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn, to the Dixie Chicks, Jewel and Patty Griffin. Today, some of her musical influences include Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde. – From my Bio on my website. (www.audreyraymusic.com)

Like I mentioned before, I have had the honor of working and opening up for multiple different Nationally Signed Country Musicians throughout my career. I have played Faster Horses Festival in the past, performed at many Singer-Songwriter rounds in Nashville, and continue to build my brand. I am also so proud to be a Style Ambassador for Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan. Twelve Oaks is the dominant shopping destination of metro Detroit, with nearly 180 distinctive stores and restaurants including Apple, Crate&Barrel, Anthropologie, and many more. I’m so proud to say now I am a Nashville Recording Artist, and cannot wait to release my new songs coming from Nashville soon.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Getting to perform my original songs and music to a live crowd, is truly the best feeling in the world. Hearing them sing along with me, and cheering me on and clapping is unreal. Knowing that they enjoy something that I wrote and crafted truly is a dream come to true to me. Each time I perform I feel so lucky to get to do this. Also, getting to inspire others with my music around me is always incredible as well. I always tell my friends, family and fans, that you can do anything you set your mind to. If you have a dream, keep going and keep dreaming! You can make any one of your dreams into a reality. Also, knowing that my music spoke to someone truly is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Staying true to yourself is the best thing you can do. Your audience will know if you’re faking it. Every since I started singing, I have always stayed true to who I am as an artist. When I started, we didn’t have social media when I was really kicking things off for myself. I had to walk around town, and physically put up flyers and posters about my upcoming shows. all the while, still having a full-time career, ontop of pursuing a country music career. Nowadays, it’s all about social media, and creating a platform. I am so proud to say I have close to 10K followers mixed in between my Facebook page and Instagram page. I have grown those pages organically, buy posting short videos of me performing a song on my guitar, and/or posting photos I had taken from a recent photo-shoot, and or posting about upcoming shows. I do this all Independently without being singed to a label as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.audreyraymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audrey_ray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudreyRay

Image Credits

Live Full-Band Photo: Photo Credit: Terry Jacoby
First 4 uploads (with orange shirt) Photo Credit: Rhythm & Lyrics Photography Nashville
Other 2 Live Show Photos: Reality Tell Your Vision (Cowgirl hat on, and white boots)