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Ray's Story
At age nineteen, Ray picked up his college roommate's guitar and began what was to become the driving force in his life: making music that moves people. Ray and his roommate began writing songs and playing in the bars right away in and around Providence College in Rhode Island.
After graduating and moving to NYC, Ray started showing up at open mic nights in Greenwich Village, and won himself some gigs at The Backfence and The Bitter End along with weekly residencies at Mad River, The Banc, Rathbone's and countless other bars in NYC. All the while he was creating a sound that was infused with folk, rock, country, and soul.
Those formative years in the bars were the bedrock of his musical education: Playing long hours, sometimes with musicians he just met, trying out covers he didn't know right on the spot, learning how to work and please the crowd; all invaluable lessons in the bar band school of rock and roll.
These sounds were captured in his first release, "Everything's Fine." Available on all digital music services. The 7 songs encouraged Ray to form a band. Thus, Redshell was formed in 2002-2003 with Berklee grads Jonathan Townes (guitar), Bassist Ben Zwerin, and Kansas City's own, drummer Patrick "The Doctor" Carmichael.
Redshell released their first CD in 2003, featuring 6 songs penned by Ray Greiche (available everywhere). Jonathan Townes produced and the result was major upgrade in sound from his first release. More shows to follow at The Cutting Room, Bitter End, Joe's Pub, and the Hammerstein Ballroom.
Jonathan eventually moved on from NYC and multi instrumentalist Jefferson Thomas (an accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right) has joined the now cleverly named "Ray Greiche Band". They continue to play in and around NYC, with Ray as a solo/acoustic artist, a duo with Jefferson, trio with Ben and Patrick, and up to 7 pieces which includes Ray's wife Nicole and horns.
Ray recorded his first full length album of 11 new original songs in 2019. Produced by Jefferson Thomas, and featuring longtime band mates, Ben Zwerin and Patrick Carmichael, along with backing vocals by Nicole Greiche, "Lost Weekend" continues Ray's brand of singer/songwriter rock and roll with a hint of alternative country.
They continue to rock at world famous NYC venues such as Rockefeller Center, the Rainbow Room, the 21 Club for New Year's Eve (6 years running!), The Red Lion, 11th St Bar, and now defunct Backfence (Greenwich Village), wedding receptions, cocktail hours, after parties, corporate events, and any kind of party instantly made better by the addition of live music. Check the schedule, www.raygreiche.com, as Ray is probably playing somewhere tonight!