We recently connected with Bobby Ray Connell and have shared our conversation below.

Bobby Ray, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I’m at the age of 55 years old this coming January. The last 4 years of my life has been a non stop roller coaster in this career that I have chosen. Singer/ Songwriter/entertainer/ Performer. There is not enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to be done. It’s almost crazy to start a career not knowing if it will pay off or not, While other people my age are starting to talk about retirement I’m Just getting started. They say it takes 10 years to make it in this city, I don’t have 10 years, that will put me at 65, I don’t think I’ll be able to tour the country or the world at 65. I need to make it Now. I do however think timing is everything. I believe I’m a better writer, player and entertainer now then when I was younger. So I think I’m right where I should be at this time. Everything happens for a reason, The ying and the yang. I don’t think I would have made it where I am, if there weren’t trials, and deep rivers to cross. I wish I could have started younger, but I don’t think I would have been ready or as hungry as I am now.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

Well my name is Bobby Ray Connell Jr. My stage name is BOBBY RAY. I’m from Youngstown Ohio. I’ve been singing playing and writing music my whole life. I wrote my first song when I was 8 years old. My influences come from Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and Tom Petty. As early as I can remember I had the desire to be in front of a crowd. My teen years I sang with my best friend Jody, We covered a lot of Simon and Garfunkle tunes, Played in a rock band together. But my whole life has been playing in the Church. Gospel trios, Quartets, Solo, or leading worship. It wasn’t until in my 50’s that I decided with my wife that we should visit Nashville Tenn. This is where the music was, I wondered if I had what it takes to fit in down in Music City. It was an eye opening experience to realize that you can get paid for doing something you love. All the years I played for free, now people were paying me. After I got married my wife and I decided to make Nashville our home and live out the dream that so many have dreamed.
I guess. you can say I felt right at home, and I never looked back. Nashville just seemed right. It wasn’t long that I started cultivating friendships and music relationships with the local songwriters. In a year I’ve written some of the best songs I have ever written, hosted 2 Songwriters rounds, Made a music video, Was on a local Television show, Interviewed twice by local internet magazines, and had several gigs outside of Nashville. I also twice a month am apart of the MUSIC FOR SENIORS non-profit organization that play for area nursing homes. and assisted living. As of this article I’m in the process of recording another album. It will be my 4th. I had some of my Nashville and Ohio friends play on the album with me. Hopefully it will be released on all the media platforms by years end. Tennessee has been good to me and my wife. There is no place I’d rather be.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I knew about ASCAP, TSAI, NSAI, various Songwriting Organizations. I had no idea that you could get paid for your performances even though the venue doesn’t pay. To get compensated as a writer and a publisher, I wish I’d known about when I first started playing out. The various media platforms, Itunes, Amazon, Spotify I wish i would have utilized them earlier.

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

I would say the most rewarding part of doing what I do, is the responses from the audience. There’s nothing better than when people get up and dance to an acoustic guitarist. There’s nothing better than watching the audience clap along, sing along and generally enjoy listening. It’s nice to make people happy for a little bit

Contact Info:

• Website: bobbyraymusic.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobby_raymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobby.connell.31521/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNs8mVLEfdGDkvaB-0E5ZCg