Michael Ray Teases New Songs: ‘I Can’t Wait For Y’all To Hear These’
Ray’s next project will serve as the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Higher Education.’
Michael Ray; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Michael Ray fans, get excited because the Florida native is gearing up to release new music.
While an official release date has yet to be announced, the chart-topping artist is hard at work on his next set of tunes. According to his latest social media post, the new songs will be coming sometime this year.
“Listening to these new songs. Getting me excited for things coming up this year,” he wrote on Twitter.
He also added, “I can’t wait for y’all to hear these.”
Ray’s next project will follow the release of 2021’s Higher Education EP. In a recent interview with Everything Nash, Ray dished on what fans can expect from the upcoming release.
“We just cut six songs,” Ray shared. “We started cutting with Michael Knox. This whole process has been exactly how I’ve always wanted to cut a record, being able to really dive into some stuff that I feel like people have been waiting for me to put out for a few years. And, touch on some subjects I touched on, but also have some influences of what I grew up with.”
As a longtime fan of ‘90s country, Ray says those influences will, without a doubt, be represented within his new music.
“You’re gonna hear a lot of Allman Brothers, a lot of Skynyrd, and a lot of traditional country music mixed with ’90s country music,” he went on to say. “We just took a lot of different eras that I was influenced by and put them together. It’s by far the most excited I’ve been about putting a record out.”
Ray also hinted that the new album will feature a surprising collaboration.
“We’re working on one right now,” Ray told Everything Nash. “It would be a big one. No one’s expecting it, It’s 90 percent there. If it happens, no one’s gonna see it coming.”
A year ago, Michael Ray was celebrating the success of his latest No.1 hit, “Whiskey and Rain.” Co-written by Josh Thompson and Jesse Frasure, the track became Ray’s fourth No.1 at country radio.
The moment it topped the charts was quite emotional for Ray.
“Y’all I gotta be real. It’s been an emotional one today,” he acknowledged in his social media post. “Back when we were recording this song I would think about all the things I always loved about @garyallanmusic and the way his music spoke to me and my life growing up in Eustis. I hope this song has been there for you on lonely nights when you’ve needed it, just like Gary always has been for me. One of my favorites of his goes, ‘life ain’t always beautiful… but it’s a beautiful ride.’ Thank y’all for this beautiful ride!!! Thank y’all for loving this song!!! We ain’t slowing down!!! 🥃🌧”
“Whiskey and Rain” was one of the Top 25 most-played songs on the Mediabase Country Airplay chart in 2022. Ray said the success of the song “fires me up for new music in 2023.”
While fans await the official announcement of new music from Michael Ray, they can catch him on the road as he has several tour dates planned for the new year.
He’s also slated to perform at Barefoot Country Music Festival in Wildwood, New Jersey later this summer.
A full list of Michael Ray’s upcoming tour dates can be viewed here.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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