Tommy Ray followed a red dusty dirt road from rural Mississippi to receive three degrees, each one taking him closer to ever-changing dreams. However, no matter what he achieved, he always had a voice inside of him telling him he desired to live his life through a creative voice.
For many years, he ignored the voice to follow other endeavours, (like so many in the world), but the voice was always there and increasing in volume. To be true to his soul, he created Tommy Ray Entertainment to generate people value, inspiration along with delivering more than their expectations.
“My perfect life would be living Tommy Ray Entertainment full time, living in a mountain type city with a beautiful view of nature, a walkable downtown which allows me plenty of time to read, write, compose, record, market, network, etc. I would be able to travel overseas once a year on a long hike to continue my travel memoirs, be able to record new written songs, and continue creating YouTube videos.”- Tommy Ray
FMM: You followed a red dusty road from rural Mississippi to pursue your dreams. Did you always know that music was in your blood?
In the beginning, I was following what I saw and knew, my dad loved old-school country like Charlie Pride, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Waylon Jennings; so, I wanted to make him proud. I recall sitting in his red Ford 150 listening to 8-track tapes. (The reason of my kindergarten career day episode). I recall my first guitar was taller than I was. However, I only beat on it more like a drum. My older brother was a marvelous guitar player, he attempted to teach me when I was around 8; sadly, I was not able to pick it up. I was left-handed and attempted to learn right-handed. Around the year of 2000, I bought my first left-handed guitar and taught myself to play.
From a lyricist standpoint; I recall beginning to write my first songs around age 10. My mom had a piano so I would play basic chords on it and compose my lyrics. I wish I would have written those down, be interesting what the words were from that time. No one in my family ever attended college. My dad worked as a pipeliner and my mom at that time was a stay-at-home mom. We moved around a lot living in trailers or motels. I knew early on I did not desire to live that way. That is what drove me to strive for college to ensure I created more opportunities for myself. I wanted more than what I was raised into. In hindsight, I wish I could have focused on the guitar and singing from a young age. I feel in my heart currently, I missed out of a different life than I have lived. I believed I would have been an excellent performer.
Musically, Tommy Ray’s offerings fall under the blanket description of southern-tinged country rock. Throughout stylistic shifts, his signature rasp, unwavering melody and down-to-business song writing tether together for the brilliant steps into the hearts of music fans the world over.
FMM: How has your humble beginnings shaped you today?
I feel blessed of my beginnings. I believe it has kept me grounded and understanding. Not many people I know, grew up having to use an outhouse to the age of 3 until my grand mom finally got indoor plumbing in Mississippi. I was taught to be respectful, kind, along with caring. Growing up with minimal luxuries, has kept me from getting wrapped up in our materialistic world. It has instilled dedication, patience, and persistence. I learned to be hardworking and maintain unwavering faith.
FMM: Tell us about your single, “Don’t Look Back.”
Music | Tommy Ray (bandcamp.com): My Catalog for your review.
“Don’t Look Back,” was released in 2019. I recorded it with Hit Music Studios with my producer Jimm Mosher in North Carolina. I desire to create inspiration to my listeners. I want to show them they do not have to live in a box, and they can achieve their dreams. To live life with no regret and take chances. For me personally, I have never felt a place was home. So, no matter my situation, I am always striving for that place. Basically, never feel trapped. If you desire a change, do not be afraid and go for it. Do not live a life of regret. So, “Don’t Look Back.” Take that first step, you never know what may come of up. Have faith everything will work out.
FMM: There is a lot of honesty in your music. Tell us about your process when writing music. Do you have a favorite song?
When composing lyrics, I begin with ideas and brainstorming of topics I may have seen in a movie, heard in a song, or experienced in real life. I then pick up my guitar and begin strumming basic chords and the words begin to pour out. At times, I may light candles or light a fire or can simply sit in my room. I try to record the sessions as sometimes I can sing a line then immediately forget what I said out loud. After I have a few lines, I then progress through the songwriting until I either get stuck or complete the song. I may use readings to help fill in the gaps to create an original work.
I am working on a new album, will be called, “Confessions of a Dreamer.” It will be a summary of everything I have learned and to help others see that anything is possible if you are willing to take a leap of faith and take a risk.
I am unable to pick a favorite song. There are thousands of songs during my lifetime which have inspired, struck an emotion, or simply made me smile and desire to dance. Some of my favorite artists are Cat Stevens, (the original motivation to want to be a songwriter), Fiver Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, among numerous others.
“I believe my music is my inner voice screaming aloud, expressing my emotion, thoughts and life experiences.”
FMM: How did you unlock your inner power?
My inner power comes from being an avid reader and watching anything and everything about how powerful the mind can be. Through gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding it has ignited my passion to pursue my dream life. I research different philosophies from the Samurai, Native American culture, Plato, among others to have different perspectives of our world. My YouTube watchlist consisted videos of Red Frost, Dr. Ernest Holmes, Jim Rohn, Alan Watts, among many others. I now take that knowledge and desire to put my own twist on it. Through my lyrics, YouTube channel, posts on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts I desire to share it with the goal to inspire others and create value to the world.
FMM: Tell us about Tommy Ray Entertainment.
I created Tommy Ray Entertainment in 2018 as the umbrella company for Tommy Ray Books, Tommy Ray Music, and Tommy Ray Insights. It is the brand for all of my creative outlets. Its my goal now to have everything in one place instead of trying to separate into multiple destinations. I hope to have a Tommy Ray Entertainment website soon and eliminate the other three locations to accomplish that goal of one location/site.
FMM: How are you inspiring others through your YouTube Channel, books, and blogging?
My YouTube channel began by posting random videos of me performing live or covers of music. At one point, I desired to record my hiking outings to share my adventures. Lately, I created, the “Confessions of a Dreamer,” series. Those are videos to create inspiration using my own special twists using words, video clips edited together with music. The “Confessions of a Dreamer,” were built off of my blogging site to share my insights on what I have learned to attempt to live your best life possible.
My books are travel memoirs. I reveal how unsatisfied I was with the normal in the box life and when I desired more, I did not hesitate to take the risk and go for the journey I wanted. I did not want any regret, so I moved forward with my trips. I considered my trips more like pilgrimages for spiritual well-being along with my love of history.
My books are for sale on all of the major online outlets, (Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Kobo, Apple Books, among numerous others. They are in digital and paperback form. My YouTube channel is: Tommy Ray – YouTube.
*Tommy Ray is a common name for many authors, musicians, etc; so sometimes you have to search for my creative products by title and name to ensure you have the correct product.
FMM: You write short stories which fall in the horror/suspense/thriller categories based on real-life nightmares along with travel memoirs based on your adventures. Share your favorite stories.
My short stories are based on my real-life nightmares. I always thought they would make excellent movies if the right person would read them. Growing up was not an ideal situation I have been told. I was hidden in the closet or behind chairs at times to protect me from being harmed as an infant and small child due to the treat of being in an abusive situation. A reason which has led to these nightmares. I began writing short stories to expand my creative products and to learn to write in different genres along with a different style. Also, they are used as an outlet to overcome the nightmares. My nightmares caused me to be so fearful, I cannot open my eyes in the room because I believe with all of my heart the demon or monster is standing over me. The dreams are always in color, and I can feel everything like its reality. I awake with my sheets wrecked, pillows are usually on the floor and sometimes I can even be in a complete opposite direction on the bed. I am covered with sweat. I always wondered if someone were in the room watching me as I am experiencing an nightmare, if I were acting them out, or they could hear the screams.
I am currently writing a new song about the book series, “Amid the Blackness.”
My travel memoirs are based on trips I have taken after resigning a job due to unhappiness, desiring to be free, or striving to inspire others that you can live the life you always wanted. You do not have to remain stuck, just take that first step. For example, in 2012, I walked the Camino de Santiago, (“A Quest for St. James”). In 2016, I resigned and created a self-guided music tour of the western USA. I drove through 15 states, 9,000 miles performing on the street corners and bars while living from my pickup, (“Rambling Across America”). In 2016, I departed another job to travel to Scotland and walk the West Highland Way, (currently writing).
Amazon.com: Tommy Ray: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
FMM: Are you looking for collaborations in 2021?
Yes, I desire to live Tommy Ray Entertainment full-time without having the need for a day job in another field to support myself. I would love someone more established to enjoy my lyrics and want to rerecord them, find publishers to assist with my books, or outlets to use me in creative ways with travel, writing, performing. As well as others to assist in improving the Tommy Ray Entertainment brand, (business, promotions, website design, etc).
FMM: What is next for you?
I shall continue to pursue my dream life. I will do what I have to do to allow me to invest in myself to succeed. I will continue reading books and articles, watching videos, attending classes, gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of my desired creative outlets. I will be a continuous student. I shall seek out opportunities. I will allow myself to take risks, learn from failures, and continue practicing patience, persistence, maintaining optimism, believe in myself, trust in the Universe/God, continue with burning desire, and always have unwavering faith.
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tommy@tommyrayentertainment..com
