Big Ballad Ray

Big Ballad Ray was a name I chose when I returned to singing in 2005. I was a recording artist in the UK during the 60's. In 1972, I broke a bone in my neck (car). I was unable to sing due to a sore vibration in my neck. I continued as a writer and did the odd gig in light opera. Made a film 1981 in Canada (Music Box Dancer). Got involved in sales. in 2005, I wrote a hymn and sent a demo to my publisher. It was the first one I had sung. He liked it and suggested I go back on the road. I did, and did OK. My live shows went down very well, but as soon as I was in the studio, I folded. I seemed to loose confidence. The tracks I have here are the first I have done since the 60's. I will get better. 1981 with Mike McCartney, Billy Kinsley (Ex Merseybeats) I released the Wedding song for Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. We performed same on the BBC on the day of the wedding to more than 700 million people around the world. The 45 is very collectable and sells in the UK for 55 pounds, or $110. I have been asked to release the song on either CD or to make it downloadable for a fee to be sung at Weddings. I am thinking about it. (Do you think it will sell?) Let me know.I also wrote "The Poet and I" Lyrics. Music by Frank Mills the great Canadian Composer. I wrote this for Alex Harvey and we recorded this two weeks before Alex died. The musicians playing on this track are not credited on "The soldier on the wall" album CD. The reason is, the masters were stolen from me. (Read the sleeve notes) they have the cheek to thank me for my help. I still own the rights to this song and will release it in my own time. We shall see if anyone tries to sue me. They did not have a clue who was playing on the track. The keyboard player was "Tommy Eyres" (Joe Cocker fame). Gordon Sellers (basss, Beggers Banquet and The New Alex Harvey Band), Alex played guitar and vocals, Drummer I don't know his name and the Piper was the same guy who played on Anthem from "Tomorrow belongs to me". I did the backing harmony and I also have unpublished photo's taken in the studio. The song was recorded in Kensington Studios London. 2007 I was the Narrator for the Scottish company "Travel Tape and Audio Guide". This is a 74 minute CD describing all that is beautiful about the Scottish Highlands. I am in the US to write and to record a new album. A recent song written is War Train with John O Kane. John just had one of his songs on Tina Turners latest CD and a couple with Liberty X. I have also been working with Hugh McKenna(Sensational Alex Harvey Band). We have a few songs available. One of them can be huge!!. A Ballad. "I don't have plans to say goodbye to you".I have a new website being built www.nearlyoutofdate.com this site will concentrate on reducing gas emissions from landfill sites around the globe. It will be free to enter and to search for products in any country in the world. If you have any Green recycle news, contact the site in about a month, lets say February. We will get the ball rolling. This May, I recorded 28 songs in England. Not all of them will be released. Sod's Law!! I got a sore throat before the recording date. I went ahead and did all the songs over 2 days. I was in agony. Took lots of honey. Anyway, my kids like most of them. I sung Danny Boy for two reasons. My Grandfather Robert Irvine who was a singer had told me the story behind the song. A Father had 4 sons. He had seen 3 go to war and they were killed in action. Danny was his youngest son and he did not want to hear of him dying on the battlefield. The other reason is it is the favourite song of my In-Laws Pat and Ray. Dream Lover I sung for my Wife Debbie. I hope to release the CD in about 6 weeks.