Michael Ray
Birth nameMichael Ray Roach
Born (1988-04-29) April 29, 1988 (age 35)
Eustis, Florida, U.S.[1]
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2010–present
Labels
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2019; div. 2020)​
Websitemichaelraymusic.com

Michael Ray Roach (born April 29, 1988) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is signed to Warner Music Nashville. He has released two albums for the label: Michael Ray and Amos.

Biography

Ray was born in Eustis, Florida. He was inspired by his grandfather Amos "Wilson" Roach, who played music for him and taught him how to play guitar, in addition to having him perform at assisted living centers. Ray chose to form a band in southern Florida after graduating high school, and a disc jockey at WPCV began playing his music. He independently released an album in 2010, which was discovered by manager Tony Conway.[1]

Ray was mentored by John Rich of Big & Rich on the singing competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep, which he won. He and Rich co-wrote Big & Rich's 2015 single, "Run Away with You".[2] After winning the competition, Ray was signed to Warner Bros. Records Nashville. His first EP, Tour Bootleg, was released in 2014. Two of the EP's tracks, "Kiss You in the Morning" (which went to number one on the Country Airplay charts in 2015) and "Think a Little Less," would later appear on his self-titled second album, released in 2015, becoming Ray's first and third singles, respectively. The track "Real Men Love Jesus" was named as Ray's second single. Ray supported the album with a tour.[1]

On June 16, 2017, Ray released the single "Get to You" ahead of his third studio album, Amos.[3] Upon the album's release in 2018, it would produce two more singles: "One That Got Away" and "Her World or Mine." Both of his albums were produced by Scott Hendricks.[1]

In September 2020, Ray released the single "Whiskey and Rain" ahead of his fourth studio album, originally set to be released in 2021.[4]

Personal life

Michael Ray has one sister and two half sisters.

On July 19, 2018, Ray confirmed that he had begun dating country singer Carly Pearce.[5] They became engaged on December 19, 2018.[6] The two were married on October 6, 2019 near Nashville, Tennessee.[7] In June 2020, Pearce filed for divorce from Ray after eight months of marriage.

Discography

Michael Ray discography
Studio albums3
Music videos10
EPs3
Singles8
Other charted songs1
No. 1 singles2

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart
positions 		Sales
US Country
[8] 		US
[9] 		AUS
[10]
Michael Ray[11]
  • Release date: January 29, 2010
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — —
Michael Ray 4 21 60
Amos
  • Release date: June 1, 2018
  • Label: Atlantic Nashville
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 5 53 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart
positions
US Country
[8] 		US Heat
[14]
Tour Bootleg
  • Release date: November 2014
  • Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
  • Formats: Digital download
 — —
Kiss You in the Morning
  • Release date: April 28, 2015
  • Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 37 15
Higher Education
  • Release date: August 27, 2021
  • Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — —
Dive Bars & Broken Hearts
  • Release date: June 23, 2023[15]
  • Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
US Country
[16] 		US Country Airplay
[17] 		US
[18] 		CAN Country
[19] 		CAN
[20]
2015 "Kiss You in the Morning" 10 1 55 13 73 Michael Ray
"Real Men Love Jesus" 28 17 — 44 —
2016 "Think a Little Less" 3 2 54 23 —
2017 "Get to You" 17 15 —[A] 43 — Amos
2018 "One That Got Away" 10 3 67 7 —
2019 "Her World or Mine" 31 22 —[B] 39 —
2020 "Whiskey and Rain" 6 1 37 — — Higher Education
2022 "Holy Water" — 32 — — —
2023 "Spirits and Demons"[29]
(with Meghan Patrick) 		— 35
[30] 		— — — Dive Bars & Broken Hearts
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Notes

  1. ^ "Get to You" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number two on Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, which acts as a 25-song quasi-extension of the Hot 100.[26]
  2. ^ "Her World or Mine" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 12 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, which acts as a 25-song quasi-extension of the Hot 100.[26]

Other charted songs

Year Song Peak
positions 		Album
US Country
[16]
2015 "Another Girl" 50 Michael Ray

Music videos

Year Video Director
2015 "Kiss You in the Morning"[31] Edgar Esteves
"Real Men Love Jesus"[32] Sam Siske
2016 "Think a Little Less"[33] Cody Kern
2017 "Think a Little Less"[34] Jack Guy
2018 "Get to You"[35] Unlisted
"Fan Girl"[36]
"Her World or Mine"[37]
"Summer Water"[38]
2019 "One That Got Away" Sean Hagwell[39]
"Her World or Mine" Daniel Carberry and Keenan O'Reilly[40]
2020 "Whiskey and Rain" Unlisted
2021 "Picture"
"Just the Way I Am"
"Higher Education" (featuring Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Billy Gibbons, and Tim Montana)
2022 "Holy Water"

Awards and nominations

Year Award show Category Result
2016 American Country Countdown Awards Breakthrough Male of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Michael Ray biography". Allmusic. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  2. ^ Anderson, Danielle (September 13, 2015). "5 Things to Know About 'Kiss You in the Morning Singer' Michael Ray". People. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. ^ "Michael Ray - "Get To You" (Chapter 1)". Retrieved January 27, 2022 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Chua, Jeremy (December 30, 2020). "Michael Ray Teases Forthcoming Third Album: "Man, It's Country!"". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Whitaker, Sterling (July 19, 2018). "Carly Pearce and Michael Ray Confirm They're Dating". Taste of Country. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. ^ Stecker, Liv (December 22, 2018). "Carly Pearce and Michael Ray Are Engaged!". The Boot. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  7. ^ Kruh, Nancy (October 6, 2019). "They're Married! Michael Ray and Carly Pearce Tie the Knot in 'Whimsical' Wedding — All the Details". The Boot. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Michael Ray Chart History - Country Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #414". auspOp. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  11. ^ "Michael Ray - Michael Ray". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  12. ^ Bjorke, Matt (January 3, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: January 3, 2017". Roughstock.
  13. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 15, 2019). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: April 15, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  15. ^ "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations | New Music Artist Free Song". All Access. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Michael Ray Chart History: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History: Country Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History - Canada Country". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Michael Ray Chart History - Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  21. ^ Bjorke, Matt (September 8, 2015). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: September 8, 2015". RoughStock. Sales figure given here
  22. ^ a b c d e f "American certifications – Michael Ray". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Michael Ray – Kiss You in the Morning". Music Canada.
  24. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 4, 2016). "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: April 4, 2016". Roughstock.
  25. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 17, 2017). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: April 17, 2017". Roughstock.
  26. ^ a b "Michael Ray Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  27. ^ Bjorke, Matt (June 20, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: June 20, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  28. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 8, 2019). "Top 30 Digital Country Tracks: April 8, 2019". RoughStock. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  29. ^ "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations | New Music Artist Free Song".
  30. ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "CMT : Videos : Michael Ray : Kiss You in the Morning". Country Music Television. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  32. ^ "CMT : Videos : Michael Ray : Real Men Love Jesus". Country Music Television. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  33. ^ "CMT : Videos : Michael Ray : Think A Little Less". Country Music Television. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  34. ^ "CMT : Videos : Michael Ray : Think A Little Less". Country Music Television. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  35. ^ Weatherby, Taylor (April 27, 2018). "Michael Ray Breaks Through the Barriers of Heartbreak in 'Get To You' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  36. ^ Crawford, Robert (April 23, 2018). "See Michael Ray's Stark 'Her World or Mine' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  37. ^ Levenson, Luke (May 8, 2018). "See Michael Ray's Stark 'Her World or Mine' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  38. ^ "'Summer Water' Video". YouTube. May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  39. ^ "MICHAEL RAY TRAVELS TO MIAMI FOR 'ONE THAT GOT AWAY' VIDEO". Taste of Country. September 14, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  40. ^ Chris Parton (October 16, 2019). "Michael Ray Channels Parents' Divorce in 'Her World or Mine' Video". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved December 18, 2019.

External links