Michael Ray Victimized by Smash-and-Grab Burglary: ‘Welcome to the New Nashville’

“…you can’t even park your truck without some low life breaking in.”

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 11, 2024

at

1:37 pm

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Michael Ray; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Michael Ray was allegedly the victim of a car break-in over the weekend. 

The country singer, best known for songs like “Think A Little Less” and “Whiskey and Rain,” took to Instagram early Monday morning to share his frustrations after his truck was broken into in what appears to be a smash-and-grab burglary that took place near downtown Nashville. 

“Hey welcome to the new Nashville,” he began. “Where you can’t even park your truck without some low life breaking in.”

Michael Ray; Phtoo by Spidey Smith
Michael Ray; Phtoo by Spidey Smith

His message was posted alongside a photo of his truck with glass and other debris on the ground.  

“Scum bag f***ers who if I would have caught them would have had holes in them,” he continued. This town ain’t what it was and it’s losing the respect and foundation! Wish I could have caught these people ‘cause there would have been a few left for others to worry about.”  

In closing, he added, “Welcome to Nashville” alongside the emoji of a middle finger. 

Michael Ray - Instagram Stories
Michael Ray – Instagram Stories

The Florida native did not disclose what, if anything, was stolen from his truck or provide any additional updates.

Ray, 36, isn’t the only country singer who has recently been a victim of a crime in Nashville in recent weeks. 

The Voice alum, Jay Allen, recently revealed that he was held up at a grocery store in East Nashville. Allen also took to social media to share his experience. 

“Serious talk… I got held up at a grocery store in East Nashville a few days ago. I’m ok(besides being out a few bucks), but it was the feeling that I couldn’t get over,” he admitted. “Even with having a muscular stature and being covered in tattoos, it didn’t matter… he had a gun, and I didn’t. I felt helpless, taken advantage of, and mad at myself more than anything.” 

Allen said this scary encounter prompted him to purchase a gun for self-defense. 

“I’ve always been on the fence about guns, but today I’m a proud new gun owner. It’s strictly for self-defense, and I will NEVER feel that way again. Thank you to my best bud(who is also a Veteran) for taking the time to train me, so I can now safely protect myself,” he wrote. 

Michael Ray must have been visiting Nashville as he shared that he has moved out of Music City and swapped his Nashville life for a quieter one in rural Georgia.

YouTube video

In 2023, he told American Songwriter, “Nashville has given me so much and I love country music more than anything, it’s been my saving grace my whole life. But I’m losing myself, I don’t feel myself. I feel myself changing, I feel things getting to me differently than they used to. I think we’ve all been there where a place that we love so much, a place where you have so many good memories of, all of a sudden isn’t a place that you love so much and it’s filled with so many different memories.”

According to his recent social media posts, it also appears that he spends quite a bit of time in California with his girlfriend, Audrina Patridge.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

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.