Gene Watson's Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene Watson's Peers, who were contacted during 2018, were most gracious with their time and words.

It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Kayla Ray, which she he submitted to this site on Thursday 20 September 2018.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Kayla Ray who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.





Kayla Ray
This quote was submitted on Thursday 20 September 2018.

'The music of Gene Watson remains a timeless treasure.

Riddled with unceasing truth and haunting melodies meticulously delivered, I visit Gene Watson’s catalogue when I am in need of solace and inspiration'

Thank you, Kayla Ray, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Kayla Ray...



Kayla Ray, who hails from Waco in Texas, delivers country music with rawness and honesty.

Kayla Ray was raised around worldly experience and heartache, and this rings loud and clear in her genuine delivery of pure country music.

With her grandmother’s musical tastes a strong influence, Kayla Ray surrounded herself with music from our past.

Kayla Ray poured over the work of a number of country music giants, including Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 - Tuesday 5 March 1963), Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 - Tuesday 4 October 2022), Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998), Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) and Willie Nelson.

Although the influence of these artists is prominent in her strong delivery and original truth filled lyrics, Kayla Ray has developed a truly unique and captivating style that is all her own.

Growing up in the Waco,Texas area, Kayla Ray began seeking any opportunity to perform.

Kayla Ray played, off and on, with the legendary fiddle player Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 - Saturday 9 May 2015) and his family band, 'The Gimbles'.  Johnny Gimble’s son, Dick Gimble, remains one of Kayla Ray's strongest mentors.

Growing up in the Waco,Texas area, Kayla Ray had countless opportunities to perform with Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 - Saturday 9 May 2015), Dick Gimble and Emily Gimble.

And, when she was nineteen years old, with the help of Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 - Wednesday 11 January 2017), Kayla Ray toured two Christmas Ball circuits with The Texas Playboys.

It is also worth noting that, Kayla Ray played her first paying gig at Papa Joes in Lorena, Texas where, as she puts it, 'Billy Joe Shaver shot that guy in the face and got away with it'.

In 2012, Kayla Ray began tour managing and performing artist Jason Eady and his full band.



On Thursday 28 August 2014, Kayla Ray saw the release of her debut album, 'Love & Liquor' (Kayla Ray, 2014), which was produced by her then employer, Jason Eady, and included the following tracks:

'Little While'
'Still Wanting You'
'Songs I Leave Behind'
'Room 402'
'Love & Liquor'
'I'd Rather Drive'
'Lonely Way of Dreaming'
'Your Memory'
'South Side of Town' / this track featured guest vocals from Jason Eady
'Dying To Learn To Fly'

In 2015, Kayla Ray was named TRRMA’s 'New Female Vocalist of The Year'.

Kayla Ray is a 5-time MACT 'Female Vocalist of The Year' and the album 'Love & Liquor' (Kayla Ray, 2014) made many Top 10 album lists in both 2014 and 2015.

Outside of her time with Jason Eady, Kayla Ray began her performing in the Central Texas regions and has now grown to national touring across the United States.  Opening for a conglomerate of acts, as well as headlining many of her own shows, Kay Ray has, despite her youth, has lifetimes of experience.

In 2014, Kayla Ray left the Jason Eady camp in order to tour independently.  Since then, Kayla Ray has tackled legendary venues, including Billy Bob's Texas, Luckenbach in Texas, and Knuckleheads in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kayl Ray stays busy touring nationally in the United States at the pace of 150 plus dates a year.

Kayla Ray has shared stages with a number of artists, writers and bands, including Turnpike Troubadours, Cody Jinks, Zane Williams, Whitey Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Jamie Lin Wilson, Jason Eady, Whiskey Myers, Mo Pitney, Marcia Ball, Reckless Kelly, Mickey & The Motorcars, and Jason Bolen.



On Friday 4 May 2018, Kayla Ray saw the release of 'Yesterday & Me' (Kayla Ray, 2018), which was produced by Jason Eady and Pat Manske, and included the following tracks:

'Rockport'
'Magnolias In Springtime'
'Camel Blues'
'Hell of A Day To Drink All Night'
'Red River Valley's Run Dry'
'Things Only Years Can Teach A Woman'

'Once A Week Cheaters', which was written by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track, which was an unreleased Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989) tune which Erin Enderlin gave the demo for to Kayla Ray, was a duet with Colton Hawkins

'Pills'
'Yesterday & Me'
'I'm Still A Woman'
'Fair Warning'
'1963'




• Visit Kayla Ray's official site at kaylaraymusic.com
• Follow Kayla Ray on Facebook