Tuesday 4 July 2017

Ray Pillow born 4 July 1937


Ray Pillow (born July 4, 1937) is an American country music singer, best known as a prominent publisher renowned for his rare gift of matching performers with high-quality songs right for their style.  

Pillow was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and first learned to play the guitar while bedridden as a teen. He graduated from high school in 1954 and then joined the Navy. Following his discharge, Pillow earned a bachelor's degree in business and made his professional and personal singing debut playing with his uncle's band, the Stardusters. Later, he became their leader and remained with the band for several years. 

In 1961, Pillow won second place at the regional National Pet Milk talent contest in Nashville. Though he needed to go back to Lynchburg, he accepted an invitation to appear on the Grand Ole Opry. He soon returned to Nashville and looked up Joe Taylor, the head of promotion with the Martha White Company, who had promised to help Pillow after hearing him perform. Taylor was true to his word and Pillow signed a personal management contract with the company. 

In 1963 he released his first two singles, but didn't really have chart success until 1965, with the Top 50 "Take Your Hands Off My Heart" and his first Top 20 hit, "Thank You Ma'am." In 1966, he had two Top 40 hits and a Top Ten duet with Jean Shepherd, "I'll Take the Dog."
 
 
                             

He later joined the Opry, and remained there for over two decades. He continued with a steady stream of hits through 1970, but fell off the charts until 1972 with the minor hits "Since Then" and "She's Doing It to Me Again."Pillow's involvement in the administrative end of the business began the mid-'60s, when he paired up with Taylor in Joe Taylor Artist Management, Shoji Music Publications and Ming Music, Inc. 

In the early '80s, Pillow teamed with Larry McFaden and they began Sycamore. In the late '80s, he began working with the A&R team at Capitol Records and later became an independent record consultant. 

Today, Pillow continues to perform as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and on popular classic country television programs such as Country's Family Reunion, which airs regularly in the United States on RFD-TV network. 

Through his record label, Pillow has released two albums, including Ray Pillow Live and his recent studio effort containing new material, Country Class. Both CDs can be purchased online through Pillow's official website and at his live shows.  (Info edited from All Music & Wikipedia)


6 comments:

boppinbob said...

For “Ray Pillow - Thank God and Greyhound” go here:

http://www29.zippyshare.com/v/VAtsauLN/file.html

1. Thank God and Greyhound 2:26
2. Friday Night Blues 3:10
3. One Too Many Memories 2:50
4. Julie Loved Boston More Than Me 2:53
5. Fallin' In the Crawlin' Out 3:01
6. If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will) 3:17
7. Selena 3:32
8. Wasted Again 2:42
9. She Fell Out of Love With You 2:51

℗ 2009 K-tel

Pudge said...

Thanks Bob. Love Ray Pillow.

espo said...

Hi Bob...seems that I am having trouble with the Zippy Player on Firefox & Chrome its missing when i go to my blog on those...Its ok On Internet Explorer....notice that you have the Open drive player...is it a stand alone one or do you have to use the Open drive to get it...Sorry to be a bother...but its sending me round the bend trying to fix it !!!Cheers...Luigi (Mick)

SoulTime59 said...

Hi Bob, just came across your blog. Great work!
Any chance you could reup the link for Tony Jackson - Watch Your Step that you posted this time last year? Thanks in anticipation!

boppinbob said...

Hello Mick & SoulTime59

Mick, I have sent you an email regading Open Drive

SoulTime59 here you are

http://www95.zippyshare.com/v/cbRW6RrI/file.html

Regards, Bob

SoulTime59 said...

Many thanks for the Tony Jackson link, Bob. Much appreciated!