“Born in Jersey and raised on the West Coast. He is known as someone with something to say. Came up listening to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Rick Nelson, Merl Haggart, George Jones and more. Ray picked up the guitar and harmonica in his late teens. But his heart was always in the words of the classic songs he grew up on.
He writes about what he knows and he has lived in the classic Country and Blues/Rock style. He sings his songs like someone who owns the story. Ray has had the good fortune with his band, Broke Fence, to have recorded with some great musicians such as Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), John J.T. Thomas (Bruce Hornsby), Rick Shea (Dave Alvin, Rosie Perez), Bruce Watson (Rod Stewart), Chuck Kavoorus, and Brad Cobb (Tori Amos), David Chamberlain (Roy Buchanan, Manhattan Transfer). Ray’s band also includes Mark Hayes (lead guitar) and Luke Hayes (drums).
Ray had recorded two albums back to back: “In California Country” and “Where We Come From”. Both of which are receiving extensive radio play in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Ray’s songs have shared the bill with such notables as: Tim Mc Graw, Billy Yates, the Bellamy Brothers and others on more than twenty radio compilations in the past two years.
Ray’s songs have qualified as top finalist 7 times from 2007 through 2013 for the Song of the Year Contests. He won 2007 “Top 25 songs/CD” for IndieMusic.com and eleven finalist nominations for his song “Man of Steel” in 2008 through the Fame Game Effigy award ceremony. Ray has a fan base on MySpace of well over 65,000 friends and has music on 120 similar sites. And the radio stations which have played Ray’s music are too numerous to list. Ray has just released his 3rd CD “Mended Fences” with 14 new tracks. This makes Ray William Roldan a highly sought after Artist for his songs and contributions to Country, Americana and Roots rock.
The new Cd “Mended Fences” as with the prior 2 CD’s are available through CDBaby, Itunes, Amazon and many other sources. Produced by Brad Cobb/Mark Hayes and myself with help on drums from David Carisony of the Rippingtons and Rick Shae on pedal steel and of course Bruce Watson and all the other cats from the earlier CD’s!
All Songs on Mended Fences CD written, Preformed and Published by Ray William Roldan“
http://twitter.com/raywroldan
http://soundcloud.com/ray-william-roldan
1.) What made you want to get into the music business in the first place? Did anyone influence you to do music? If so, who? Influences? Role Models?
I’ve been a creator of art forms since I was very young. Music and songs have been a source of comfort and inspiration for my entire life. My grandfather and grandmother were in show biz and the arts. Grandpa was a drummer and painter and grandma and her sister were dancers and singers in the 30’s and 40’s.
Influences were everyone from Mr. Cash to George Jones, Lucinda Williams, Towns, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Elvis, Hank Williams’ Lefty Frizzell, Howlin’ All the Kings, Patsy Cline and so much more.
2.) Unfortunately, the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
First off you have to believe in what you do completely, you have to persist in the face of rejection.
I believe you must hone your craft and create incessantly. And you’ve got to get your works to as many ears and/or eyes as you possibly can. Research and use every avenue possible.
And try to be totally true to yourself and your visions.
3.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?
I just want the most bang for the buck. Who can get my songs heard by folks who would truly appreciate them. If an Indie is whom I belong with then I’m totally down.
I’ve been a creator of art forms since I was very young. Music and songs have been a source of comfort and inspiration for my entire life. My grandfather and grandmother were in show biz and the arts. Grandpa was a drummer and painter and grandma and her sister were dancers and singers in the 30’s and 40’s.
Influences were everyone from Mr. Cash to George Jones, Lucinda Williams, Towns, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Elvis, Hank Williams’ Lefty Frizzell, Howlin’ All the Kings, Patsy Cline and so much more.
2.) Unfortunately, the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
First off you have to believe in what you do completely, you have to persist in the face of rejection.
I believe you must hone your craft and create incessantly. And you’ve got to get your works to as many ears and/or eyes as you possibly can. Research and use every avenue possible.
And try to be totally true to yourself and your visions.
3.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?
I just want the most bang for the buck. Who can get my songs heard by folks who would truly appreciate them. If an Indie is whom I belong with then I’m totally down.
4.) Do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead? Why or why not?
I believe the monopoly is much weaker, but the big cats have the money control that is fed to us. The internet is allowing the indies to put up a damn good fight though. In the end, the consumer runs the table, so you better speak to the consumer if you’re looking for financial success.
5.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
Of course, it gives the artist a voice to speak directly to folks they may have never reached with the music they created (which was true to them). And it has allowed fans to find exactly what they were looking for.
6.) What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in life and has that had any effect on your path to becoming a musician?
I lost my father at 5 and my grandfather at 12. My mother, stepfather and siblings and I also spent many years homeless from when I was about 6 to 16. I went into boot camp around my 17th birthday, The biggest thing I’ve had to overcome is self-doubt and self-criticism. Confidence was very hard for me to come by. Acting classes helped immensely with my stage fright.
I believe the monopoly is much weaker, but the big cats have the money control that is fed to us. The internet is allowing the indies to put up a damn good fight though. In the end, the consumer runs the table, so you better speak to the consumer if you’re looking for financial success.
5.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
Of course, it gives the artist a voice to speak directly to folks they may have never reached with the music they created (which was true to them). And it has allowed fans to find exactly what they were looking for.
6.) What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in life and has that had any effect on your path to becoming a musician?
I lost my father at 5 and my grandfather at 12. My mother, stepfather and siblings and I also spent many years homeless from when I was about 6 to 16. I went into boot camp around my 17th birthday, The biggest thing I’ve had to overcome is self-doubt and self-criticism. Confidence was very hard for me to come by. Acting classes helped immensely with my stage fright.
7.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do plan to do to make sure you make music that is true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Hell, I can’t judge anyone else. I could be there one day. I’ll get back to you then.
8.) When you do music, what would you like your listeners to get out of your music?
Chills! Memories, laughs, tears, insperation, but mostly entertainment.
Hell, I can’t judge anyone else. I could be there one day. I’ll get back to you then.
8.) When you do music, what would you like your listeners to get out of your music?
Chills! Memories, laughs, tears, insperation, but mostly entertainment.