Ray Johnson Band - About Us

Fan Quotes; or should I say, quotables:

"Brah, Dude.....Dude.... Brah" - unknown fan
" You guys are the best band we've had here in a long time, you guys rock" - barmaid whose name I cannot spell.
"Freeeeeebirrrrrrrrd" - Freebird Alchoholic 1:20 AM
" Show me how to do that thing with your fingers and no pick" - unknown aspiring guitar player

Ray Johnson

Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmonica and Accordian - Ray has been playing the
guitar since the age of 7. Honed his skills performing many virtual concerts in
the confines of his bedroom standing before his mirror until he made his public
debut at the age of 16. Played in primarily Rock, Blues, and Zydeco bands
where he toiled as a hired gun guitar player/vocalist until the late '90s. Ray is a
veteran musician who's past performances include the House of Blues in New
Orleans, New Orleans jazz fest, Beale Street in Memphis, Grant Street
Dancehall and The Big Easy Music Awards to name a few, as well as many,
smokey dives. Drawing from all of his influences, as well as his own creativity, he began writing and recording original music in the late '90s. Mostly blues and jazz flavored stuff with a bit of Louisiana flavor. In 2005, Ray Johnson and Blue Collar was formed (see above). When not performing, Ray presently spends most of his time attempting to tracking down the person who determined that $107 was a fair price for the Hee Haw video collection, as well as the college professor who told him he would one day need to know how to do 'functions'.

Reviews:

"I gotta say, when I first heard this, it floored me. Talk about the blues............this tune will take you there.......this is one serious player, don't ever change, keep doing what you're doing" - Richard Lee Wilson from Texas Hurricane-internet radio commenting on "Where Will I Be?"

"Ray's guitar playing is expressive and powerful. Like Carlos Santana, it seems to well up from within. Not only is Ray a superfast guitarist, he can also play a single note and milk it for all it's worth. Very dynamic artist.-- Danny Jones from Jazz That Smokes

"Ray's soulful and bluesy voice can touch fans of any genre and any age. There's something that comes naturally to him that most other aren't feeling. If I had to compare him to somethng, I'd say he sings like Gregg Allman just after seeing a Dr John show, and plays like Carlos Santana just after watching a Jimi Hendrix concert. I gotta find more of this stuff." -- Jake Richards from "The Greatest Songs Never Heard"

"Creative songwriter, awesome voice, GREAT GUITAR PLAYER" - A-Stack internet radio

"The best white zydeco guitar player ever to attend St. Ed's (high school)" LOL - Thomas G. Hillman DDS.

Michael Johnson

Guitar, Vocals & Keyboard - Began life at an early age.  Received his first guitar
as a Christmas gift, a Western Auto original. Michael began teaching himself
guitar at the age of 13. When that failed he looked to others for help. Played in
several bands prior to starting his college education including, Celebration, The
Glass Onion Band, and Sundog.

Inspired by his new bride, Michelle, a legion of creditors, and a dramatic loss of
hair, he put his music aspirations on hold and developed a career in electrical
engineering. Returned to his first love in 2005 with the opportunity to play along side his younger brother, Ray.

Quotes: "If Michael continues to improve, he'll soon be able to plug his guitar in during our performances" - Ray Johnson

Dana Guidry

Drums and Vocals  -   Dana has been drumming since the age of five. When
he  got his first full set of drums at age seven, his father, after seeing that the
novelty wasn't going to wear off, built a "tool shed" on the far end of the
property...next to the deaf neighbors, which conveniently had enough room for
his drums (they were just taking up too much room in the house anyway). He
has played with numerous bands over the years, first playing french music with
his dad, Wilfred " Ki-Ki" Guidry. Other band incarnations included "Johnny
Regan and the Louisiana Express", "Rock/Country Express", "The Blues
Boys",  and " Leather & Lace" among many un-named garage type groups. Dana has always been of the opinion that drummers should be heard and not seen.

Fondest memory :   My second grade teacher having to take away my pencils and tie my legs to the desk to keep me from "practicing" during class!

Vaughn Johnson

Bass Guitar- Versatile musician who also began playing instruments at an early
age. Vaughn brings modern influences as well as an appreciation for
historically significant music and musicians of the past. By far the youngest
member of the group, Vaughn is often accompanied by an entourage of
security in order to make his way to and from the stage without incident from
autograph and memorabilia seekers.

Quotes: "You're Grounded" - Ray Johnson