Ray has been writing songs since about 1970. His style is sort of a Folk-Country crossover, more in the Easy Listening category. Mostly, he plays a 12-string with his own unique style of thumb-picking.

Ray sings "songs of Love, songs of Life, songs of Ray", as he puts it. They come from 3 phases of his life: Military, Post-Military, Present. Between the Post-Military and the Present was a time of family and job: a stretch of about 15 years where he concentrated on other segments of his life instead of music. But, with the kids all grown and finding a new forum for music on the Internet, the creative juices flow again.

One song is published. But, many songs await your ears. "What's the Cost of Freedom" even made it to a Minnesota Public Radio Pod Cast.

If there is one negative comment, it's that he needs to get more of his works in here for you to listen to. Feel free to comment to him. He can take it, and would enjoy hearing from you.

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You can visit me in Second Life as Ray Weyland. You might catch an impromptu show at the Calypso Coffee Spot in FairChang Calypso NE or my Star Stage in Broken Creek. Regardless, it's all LIVE (not taped). So, hope to see you in Second Life.

Influences

Enya, Jim Croce, James Taylor ... to name a few.

Bio

Ray has been a musician and a songwriter for over 30 years. He has had three song periods in his life: during his military years (early 70’s), the post-military years (mid-to-late 70’s) and the present (turn of the century). Each period was marked by a particular style and content to his music.

He’s played the trumpet, baritone horn and cello. But, his favorite instruments are the keyboards and the 12-string guitar.

Ray wrote over 70 songs in the first period, covering 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. In the second, during which his techniques improved, he completed over 30 songs in 5 years. In the “years between,” Ray worked with computers and raised a family: no time for writing. But, at the turn of the century, the creative juices started working, again. And, in this third period, he’s created dozens more, so far.

Of all these songs, Ray only has a few in demo format. His goal is to put together a home studio and start work on CDs to highlight his music.

Bio

All of his life, Ray has been surrounded by music. Born in New York State’s Hudson Valley region, he started his musical career on the trumpet in Third Grade. And, as the son of a Methodist Minister, he was immersed in music and talented people. Every parsonage and church had a piano on which he taught himself how to play. Over the years that followed (and three towns), Ray also picked-up the baritone horn and cello: not so much from desire, but because these met the needs of the school band and orchestra.

By the time he went off to Syracuse University, he was starting to compose music. At college he was faced by the reality that there were hundreds of great piano players, just in his dorm, alone. But, here, Ray met a friend who was a music/cultural aficionado. It was this friend who saw the hidden talent and encouraged Ray to develop a free-form jazz style that few people at the time were playing on campus. It was also the time where he began playing the guitar.

At about the same time, Vietnam loomed overhead. With grades being marginal (at best), Ray joined the US Air Force. The guitar was the perfect instrument. And, songwriting became a way of expressing the feelings he was experienced in his new lifestyle. Over those four years, he composed over 70 songs.

After his tour of duty, he continued to write, adding another 30 or more songs, improving both his writing and his playing styles. He managed to play a few local venues and was well received. He tried to get interest in having some of his songs published. But, that was not as well received.

A job offer in leading-edge computer development called him to Minnesota. He accepted it, packed his life in his car and relocated. Away from family, songwriting became a serious effort. Dozens of good songs were created over the next several years.

And, then he met Judy. After a modest courtship of four years, they were married, with two boys and a dog. The next twenty years were busy with life, family, and computers. But, he never gave up the guitar and piano.

At the turn of the century, Ray felt the urge to write again. The computer became a new tool, along with the Internet. Buying a medium range Casio keyboard and using the computer, he began recording his songs, as well as creating new ones. He spent a lot of time learning the tricks of recording and the details of the music business.

Now, he’s putting together the first of several CDs of songs from all periods of his life. Many other persons and places have contributed to Ray’s music are in his songs: from “A Girl Named Straw” to “I Don’t Want to Go to Pittsburgh” to “It’s Been a Long Day” … there, waiting for you to hear.