Ray Price Biography

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Ray Price
Country Music | 3 CD Set
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Ray Price is the "E" man of country music. He is energetic, eclectic and to most, the epitome of country. To country purists of the '60s, he was something of an enigma. Price, born January 12, 1926 in Cherokee County, Texas, took country into new directions more than once. It puzzled fans when his straight country of the '50s and '60s moved into pop territory in 1967 with a stunning rendition of the folk-oriented "Danny Boy." The record featured a large string section – a bit taboo in most styles of pop music – and in concert, Price had at least ten violinists backing him. Of course, this was too much for Nashville, some in the country capital thinking he had gone too far north. He followed a couple of years later with more country hits, and one, "For The Good Times," the early Kris Kristofferson-penned tune, did cross over to the pop charts hit area, registering No. 21 in 1970-71 while gaining No. 1 in country. Price grew up on a Texas farm and learned to play guitar and sing early. He was studying veterinary medicine in a Texas agricultural college when World War II and the Marines called him. He went back to school in 1946 but also began playing in local Abilene clubs as the Cherokee Cowboy and singing on radio. Ranching was still a priority in 1949 when Dallas called and asked him to join the Big D Jamboree, a move that put him in music for good. By 1952, he had joined Columbia Records and was soon churning out country Top 10 hits like "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "Talk To Your Heart." A move to Nashville put him in contact with Hank's band, the Drifting Cowboys, and actually shared living quarters with Hank the year before Williams died. Price eventually formed his band, the Cherokee Cowboys, from the remnants of Hank's band and as years passed, his band was to be the training ground for several country stars, including Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Buddy Emmons and Roger Miller. Ray Price began amassing country hits and between 1954-74, had 64 hits, all but 11 making the Top 20. Thirteen made it into pop territory. He collected seven No. 1 country hits, including his first million-seller, "Crazy Arms," which almost devastated other music when it stayed 45 weeks on top in 1956 while Elvis Presley was ruling the other side. Through the years, Price has shown his eclectic side. He helped country music evolve from its "hick" image yet always managed to stand by his feeling that "music was music" with no artificial boundaries. His work has been top-notch honky tonk and still emotional with ballads. And he eventually eschewed the cowboy stage garb in favor of more conventional suits, an indication that perhaps the Cherokee Cowboy was gone. With the hits piling up, he decided he was tired of the touring and moved to his ranch near Dallas in the early '70s to raise horses. But after a few years, he apparently missed the life and went back to work, recording for several labels into the late '80s. He recorded a duet with Willie Nelson of "Faded Love," which roared up to No. 3 in country. It was part of an album Price had asked Nelson to record with him, "San Antonio Rose." According to one source, Nelson and Price had been feuding for a number of years from an incident involving them when they were neighbors, but it came to an end when Willie agreed to join Ray. Through the years, Price had appeared on radio and television and then in the '80s he was in the Clint Eastwood film, "Honkytonk Man." He also was recording a variety of music, including a version of the Sinatra hit "All The Way" and an earlier song by Depression Era singer Gene Austin, "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone." He charted again in 1988 with "When I'd Do It All Over Again." Still performing, Ray Price released the album "Prisoner of Love" in 2000 and in January 2001 he was featured at the Texas Black Tie and Boots Ball in Washington, D.C. celebrating the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Price is in the Country Music Hall of Fame, has registered more than 100 country hits, is in the Top 10 of all-time country artists and has been declared "a national treasure" by the Los Angeles Times.

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