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

Hi Ray, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Well I was probably around five years old when I realized that I could see myself performing for a lot of people. Music always made me feel good. Made me forget what was going on in my world when my parents divorced. My world was lonely because I was the only sibling that chose to live with my father and grandmother. Out of guilt for maybe seeing my father lonely. So music was it for me from the beginning. I was 19 when I wanted to professionally make it happen. It was my first attempt at living in Nashville. I’ve gone through different genres like you wouldn’t believe. It’s all a process and over time you change. I think in my twenties, the performance side mattered more then the writing. But in my 30’s that has changed drastically. I’ll be 33 this November. And it’s almost like it’s reversed… I obviously want people to enjoy the performance when they hear me. But now, what’s most important for me are questions like did the listener get anything from my writing?.. did they get the point I was trying to make?. Did I paint a picture that was clear enough for them to see the situation? But not overly specific to where they couldn’t use their imagination. Can they relate to this story? Things of that nature.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I guess I’ll introduce myself by my real name and explain the stage name. So my name is Ray Tafoya. In Country and Americana Music, I go by the name Ray Remington. Most people could not pronounce my last name which is Native American. So I decided to make a list of last names that could work with Ray. The last name on my notebook page was Remington. And it has stuck with me since 2017.

I’m a father of two boys. Being a dad has always come first. I’ve been going through an incredibly tough divorce in more ways then one. And it’s really had me in a learning curve. Understanding who I am as a person. Understanding how toxic of a marriage I was in, and how I am finally coming out of depression from it all.

Industry

So, I was kinda excepted into the music Industry in 2020 when I released my EP Texas Rose. American Songwriter and others did some very kind reviews. My intention was to write as a modern writer with layers of 50’s country like Hank Williams Sr, and also some 80’s and 90’s country Influences as well. I had visited Dave Cobb at RCA Studios in 2016 when I was recording a Christian EP and Cobb was the nudge and encouragement to give Americana and Country a shot. I’ve never looked back and I have Dave to thank for that five minute conversation that changed everything.

This year I produced my own Debut LP titled Wyoming at RCA Studio C and really felt that I had finally accomplished the sound I was looking for in this album as well as the writing. Production ideas really focused around T Bone Burnett and Pete Anderson style production styles. I am more then proud that even Pete Anderson wrote a review for Rolling Stone for my album saying, “California Blood Lines Run Deep. WOW.” ~ Pete Anderson

So I’m very humbled and it makes me happy to know that someone like Pete who played such an incredible role as Dwight Yoakam’s Producer and Guitarist could say something like that. Not to mention making Country Music sound cool.

Business

So, I started my own label called Lonesome Sound Records. It basically just houses my music and stuff like that. I figured most of these labels who I reached out to it’s probably a good thing they said they aren’t interested because I’m sure they’d take my soul and my music and I’d regret everything. So even though that was a goal, it’s not so much anymore. I kinda like doing things my way. Booking the studio, choosing my session musicians, figuring out the rates, overall vision of the album, and not wasting time in the studio and overthinking things.

Discipline

I write everyday. Doesn’t mean every song is worth a damn. But the songs that I do write come from experience. Love, grief, pain, happiness, depression. Everything. I sing everyday too, making sure that I keep my voice in good health. I think part of discipline is trying to be an overall good and healthy person. It’s not easy but if I could do that mentally, and physically then maybe that will make me a better writer too.

These days I have grown weary of the artist side of the Industry. I keep getting told by industry folks that nobody works for free when asking about managers or booking agents. And the problem I have with that is that they are always okay with me working for free. So apparently the artist is the exception. And it doesn’t sit well with me. So, I might be pursuing the publishing side of things. Write the best I can and get artists who might want to record them. Seems to make more sense anyway. Although I have a love for traveling. Always have. It bothers me that I haven’t been able to travel as an artist and writer the way I’d like to. Maybe it’s down the road, and maybe it’s not. We’ll see how it all plays out.

What sets me apart? I think the only thing that sets me apart from others is that there is only one of me and one of you. We are all unique in that sense. And as an artist and writer I think I’m to the point of where I don’t care what the industry thinks of my music. I don’t care if I don’t have 2 million followers on Instagram. I’m proud that I don’t have a tik tok. I think what sets me apart from some is I want to be as real and true to who I am as a person. Social media numbers don’t define me, creating reals and looking at how many people liked it or don’t like it doesn’t define me. I want to be free of the digital work as much as possible. I want to be as present as possible as a human. Because we are losing that as a society. We are losing what it means to live in the moment. And sadly, recording a moment on our phones means more then living in the moment. And I just want to get to the point of a peaceful life. For me and my kids. And I hope people see that I am trying to move away from that as much as possible. To be present. And I think that’s what I’m most proud of. Getting to the point of being connected to what’s real.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think my personal experience with the music industry is there could be a really encouraging community, but you also have to look out for the people that deal with ego and major insecurities that have a lot of influence. And there are a lot of them. If you don’t play by their rules, things become tense. You become the competition and the enemy in a heartbeat.

Resilience for me is learning to find peace. Not to worry about the things I can’t control. Learn to believe in who I am, and what I am trying to accomplish as a writer and artist. Learning to let go of people who don’t value me as a human, although I gave them the best of myself as their friend. Let people talk and gossip. At least you’re their topic of the day. These are all life lessons I’ve really learned in the past couple years.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My kids 1000%. It’s a given that I love music, and I love writing. But the goals that come with becoming a successful artist or writer would be to create a home for my kids. Because I didn’t grow up knowing what home was. We were always packing up and moving somewhere different. So, I am working on home for them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rayremingtonmusic
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/DSRVvYLzh7M

Image Credits
Scott Sievertsen Photography