Ray Heable

Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Raymond Heable came from a musical family. It all started with 3 chords that his mother taught him on the guitar when Ray was just a young boy. She had played the guitar and banjo since she was a youngster herself. That first strum was all it took, and Ray continued his guitar lessons through books, and by watching different role models through his life. Mr. Ray reminisces.... “I still remember that feeling of being a young teenager, and actually being able to play the same songs that were playing on the radio.” Throughout his young adult years, Ray recalls his favorite rock influences, Bob Dylan, BJ Thomas, John Denver, and James Taylor. After graduating high school, Ray set out into the big world with one thing on his mind... MUSIC. “I put together a 5 piece band, and that was when I decided to make the switch to country,” says Heable. Country music great's, such as Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and of coarse, Merle Haggard were just a few of many artists that Ray become inspired by. He confessed, “I loved the Grand Ole Opry!” Shortly thereafter, Ray and his band scored their first gig there in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. Before he knew it, they were playing shows all over town! After only one short year, Ray was playing much bigger shows for corporate parties, large clubs, and local events such as the Louisiana Hayride. He even had the honor of playing for the Barks-Dale Air Force Base. In his early 20's, it's about this time that Ray discovers the gift of songwriting. After writing several songs, he began to wonder about taking his music a step further to recording those songs, reel to reel. And so began his dream of recording his very own album. Those dreams had to be put on hold, when Ray did what any good son would do, and took care of his aging parents. Being no stranger to tragedy, Mr. Heable's parents passed away a few years later. He continued playing played local shows, until tragedy struck the band. A deadly motorcycle accident took the life of Ray's drummer as he was heading home one night from practice. With a heavy heart, Ray tells me, “I decided not to keep the band together, and I went out on my own.” With several original songs ready to record, Ray began his pursuit as a solo music recording artist. “I figured, all the hit country music songs are coming out of Nashville, so that's where I should be” he says. In 1987, Ray and his family packed up their home and began their musical journey to the Music City, Nashville, TN. Ray tells me, “I knew I had some good songs, but having them wasn't going to put food on the table.” Being a southern gentleman, Mr. Ray set out to provide for his family. “I wasn't really sure which way I should go with my songs, but I knew that being down on Music Row will give me a better chance of getting my songs heard by the right people.” So Ray's next stop was Nashville's well known Music Row, and he got a job at a local Christian Radio Station, where he still works at today, and also where he met his 2nd wife, Carol. “Something's gonna happen... he's too good for it not to” says Mrs. Heable, who has always been very supportive, encouraging her husband to chase his dreams. Like so many others, Ray is working hard, in the city of music, doing what he can to put his music into the hands of the world, and hopefully soon ... into the hands of a record label. Aside from working in the radio industry, Ray Heable has officially cut his debut album, “Poor Boy From Louisiana.” Looking at life's full picture, Heable looks to the future... “My kids are grown with families of their own now, and I'm at retirement age now, so I have time to accomplish my own goals.” With a strong interest of coarse in commercial country, Ray also has a strong connection to Gospel. “If I can bring some happiness to people from the songs I've written, I will feel like my goal as at songwriter has been accomplished. I know and have faith that this was my calling, and God gave me talent and the wisdom to accomplish my goal.” Well Mr. Ray, I couldn't have wrote a better ending myself :) -Danielle Harrison

Nashville, TN