Bio

 

 

Tony Ray Jones was born in Baton Rouge LA. but grew up in Mobile Alabama most of his life, where he played almost every venue that he could play in and around the Gulf Coast area. His Dad came home one night real late after work he remembers, and had bought an electric guitar & an old Alamo amp. Daddy said he wanted us boys to learn how to play this thing ! Well we all tried for a while, and It seemed as if Daddy knew what he was doing, because I was hooked from the beginning.

In Tony's household he listened to Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Roger Miller, and many other artist . He would get his  guitar out every time  The Johnny Cash Show  would come on, and try to make his Daddy proud by playing that famous Luther Perkins lick on Folsom Prison Blues. Those early years  helped Tony form his own style and what makes a performer stand out.  From age 12  he continued to play and sing  every chance he could get the music became a refuge for him and he began to developed over the years .

As a child Tony had dreams of being a singer and musician, even as child, He saw himself standing before large crowds of people, making them laugh, singing the songs that touched their hearts, yet he had no idea how to make it all happen.

Over the years his life and professional career became a reality. In 1978 Tony began playing professionally with bands in Mobile, Alabama, Gulf Shores Alabama, and the surrounding area, soon found himself right in the middle of full time “Music Biz ”. What a time that was !

With his dreams in my heart, he traveled all over the Southeast & west  playing every venue that would let him play. But his dream was to go to Nashville Tennessee and make the big plunge. So in 1989 he moved to Nashville and landed an audition and was hired by Opryland Talent Agency and went on to perform on the General Jackson Showboat and Opryland Hotel for 4 years.

 

 

Starting a Duo with friend and musician Greg Davis he met while playing on the General Jackson Showboat, Tony also impersonates many country artist and different voices in his shows, as  they become a known  act at Opryland Hotel the Pickin Parlor, and thru out the Hotel venues.

Tony  made his way as an  artist and demo singer in Nashville and in 1990 -1995 , and also  recorded his first Album called “Three Wishes “ during this time he hit the road on his own and began to open shows for artist like Willie Nelson, Dan Seals, as many up and coming artist opened for numerous artist over the years.

As well as being a gifted Musician, Tony has focused most of his time these days on songwriting, and started his own publishing company TRAYJ Music Publishing, and Recording Studio BWS (Backwoods Recording Studio) where he continues to write and record his songs , but also offers a service to  songwriters and independent artist  where they can get there songs produced & recorded at an affordable price.

1993 Nashville promo shot Tony Ray & Greg Davis

Fast Facts

Name: Tony Ray Jones

Wife : Patty Jones ( AKA Fwseety)

Nickname: T Ray, Tony Ray

Born: Tony Ray Jones, Oct 22 , 1957, Baton Rouge, LA

Life Changing Events: ( Becoming a Christian Jesus Christ as my savior 2-21-94

My Son Stance Weston Jones , born (2-27-92 )

Son : Stance Weston Jones now 15 , Feb 27 1992

Vitals: Hair: Dark Brown, Eyes: Brown, Height: 6 ft.  Shoe Size: 11-E

Home: Nashville, TN

Raised: Mobile, Alabama The Gulf Coast

Immediate Family: Paul Hayward Jones (Daddy) Passed on, Pat Hewitt (Mama ), Cathy Estis (Sister), Paul H Jones Jr. (Brother), Larry C, Jones (Brother)



Favorites

Flower: Rose

Color: Blue , Black & White

Song: Anything Guy Clark, John Prine , Jerry Jeff Walker

Female Artist: Martina McBride, Alison Krauss

Instrumentalist: First guitar age 12 Dad bought at pawn shop, Guitar, 5 String Banjo, 3-string Strum Stick by McNally, Harp

Musical Influences: Merle Haggard, Roger Miller, Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Bob Dylan ....many more

Books: The Bible, anything about History

TV Shows: The Andy Griffith Show, Discovery, TLC, History channel, NPT ( Nashville Public TV )

Food: Salads w / chicken , Southern food, anything grilled...almost , oh yeah I like my Sushi Fried

Sport: Bike Riding

Actor: Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Dennis Quad

Actress: Meg Ryan, Sally Fields



Other Fun Tidbits

First Song Fully Learned: (Folsom Prison Blues) Johnny Cash Show

First Band: ( Hollow Rhythms ) 3 piece band, Acoustic  & Bluegrass Mobile, Alabama

First Non-Music Job: Mobile Al. Mobile Country Club Golf Course ( Setting cups & cutting grass)

First Music Gig: Theodore Alabama (Community center age 14 we charged .50 cents....at the door)

First Album 1989 Recorded at Hank Cochran's studio in Hendersonville , TN

Click on pic to enlarge & view album info

On the Future: Where God wants me to be !

Favorite quote: "The Opportunity of a lifetime is ceased within the lifetime of the opportunity"