RAY PRICE PERFORMING AT GALXY CONCERT THEATRE, DEC. 5TH
RAY PRICE TO PLAY GALAXY THEATRE IN SANTA ANA ON DECEMBER 5th…
During his long and distinguished career, Ray Price has accomplished the remarkable feat of re-inventing hard-core honky-tonk and also gaining success with lushly arranged love ballads aimed at the country-and-pop crossover market. Whether clad in rhinestone suits or tuxedos, he has maintained an independence characteristic of great innovators in all artistic fields.
Ray planned to become a veterinarian and attended North Texas Agricultural College. Singing at nearby Roy’s House Cafe, however, led Price down a different road, and with assistance from Dallas recording entrepreneur Jim Beck, he made his first record for the Nashville-based Bullet label in late 1949. Soon he was singing on Dallas radio programs, including the popular KRLD Big D Jamboree. His work impressed Peer-Southern publishing executive Troy Martin, who steered him to a contract with Columbia Records in 1951.
Hank Williams also helped Ray by featuring him on road shows and writing “Weary Blues (From Waitin’)” for him. Price’s recording of the tune sold well enough to strengthen his bid for Grand Ole Opry membership. He joined the cast in 1952, roomed with Hank for a time, and shared Hank’s Drifting Cowboys as his band. Not surprisingly, some of Ray’s early 1950s recordings reveal Hank’s influence, including 1952’s “Talk to Your Heart,” Price’s first chart-making disc.
By the mid-1960s, however, Price was diversifying his music with pop-flavored ballads such as “Make the World Go Away” and a jazzy version of Willie Nelson’s “Night Life.” The 1967 hit “Danny Boy,” recorded with a full orchestra, alienated some of his hard-core fans, who much preferred his 1966 honky-tonk gem “Touch My Heart.” But Price was winning new audiences as well, and he continued his country-pop success in the early 1970s with “For the Good Times” (a crossover pop smash that hit No. 11 on the pop charts) and “I Won’t Mention It Again.”
Price and Columbia Records parted ways in 1974, and though he recorded with various other labels his singles seldom reached the Billboard Top 10. Yet he has continued to nurture his magnificent voice and tours whenever he likes. And his 4/4 shuffle beat remains a touchstone for new country singers with a taste for honky-tonk sounds. Price was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996 and continues to play all the favorites live around the country.
Ray Price will be playing, December 5th at the Galaxy Theatre with Godfrey Paul. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased in advance for $37.50 through the ticket office at The Galaxy Theatre by calling 714.957.0600 or online by visiting www.galaxytheatre.com .
3503 S. Harbor Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA
(714) 957.0600
www.galaxytheatre.com
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