Brian Ray

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Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Musician, Product Endorser

Brian Ray had the most remarkable beginning of his amazing musical career when he was hired by Bobby Pickett to play guitar on Pickett’s big hit “Monster Mash” for a fundraiser. The event was organized by Phil Kaufman who would later introduce Brain to Etta James.  Brian toured and recorded with Etta for some 15 years and became her Musical Director. They would later write songs together. Brian also collaborated with other songwriters including Steve LeGassick, together they wrote “One Heartbeat” for Smokey Robinson. Brian was an in-demand guitarist who toured with Paul McCartney as well as performed on several of his records including Back In The World and Egypt Station, the latter of which was released in 2018.