Eric Ray
Eric Ray
www.gvwimusic.com, CA
Alternative / Native American Music
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About
Eric Ray
Gvwi Music
His choice of instrument at six years of age was the Trombone. After watching “The Music Man” on the television in 1962, Eric Ray knew that he had made the right choice. This led to another six years of a continuous quest to occupy and remain in the first chair. While participating in many orchestral and jazz festivals, the first place medals became a staircase to a brass finale at the California State Honor Band in 1968. Eric continued his quest for music perfection in music theory and composition until he graduated from California State University at Long Beach in 1972.
The Vietnam War, the pursuit of a career, and the challenges of raising children would soon put Eric's desire of performing music to rest. Rest it did until Eric married a Cherokee woman named Ja'nice in 1989. No longer would the Cherokee blood running through Eric's veins remain submissively asleep. As this new arising became stronger by the day, Eric soon found himself in meditation and ceremony while listening to the songs of Naki, Coyote Old Man, and other Native American musical artists. He soon carved out a Native American flute from a bamboo stalk and began composing and playing his first songs. Although his first flute was soft and definitely out of any conventional tuning, the inspiration continued and the first recording of Dusk to Dawn was made at Weston House Recording in Orangevale May 20, 1993 at 2 o'clock in the morning with two of his children; Joshua Ray on guitar and Weston Ray on drums.
Eric continued to compose and play Native American Flute songs for the next fourteen years. Performances were limited to family and occasionally as a guest performer at music recitals. There were many requests for Eric to produce recordings of his music. However, Eric never considered himself seasoned enough to warrant a serious recording. After attending the 2007 Zion Art and Flute Festival in Springdale, Utah, it was clear to Eric that it was time to share his music – the music of Gvwi. The first album “Dusk to Dawn” was soon underway at Weston House Recording now located in the commercial area of Sacramento. This album is available now. A second album, “Valley of Thunder” is anticipated in the Spring of 2009.
Gvwi Music is composed from the heart; and while influenced by Nakai, Coyote Old Man, Arvel Bird, and Eric's Grandfather; it is a mixture of Traditional Native American, Celtic, Old Time, and Alternative Rock. With over 100 years of musical talent and experience, this unique style is Gvwi. Eric's hope is that you will find at least one song to identify with and will enjoy this music as much as he has enjoyed creating it for you.
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