Ray Hendricks

Twenty-one-year old Newton, Massachusetts, native Ray Hendricks has performed his music live for one year. This is especially hard to believe when one hears his complex arrangements and nuanced vocals that are of the caliber of a seasoned professional. Described by his website as a cross between Ben Harper and Tracy Chapman, this "Gentle Giant" can be seen playing in small venues all over the Boston area.

Only playing the guitar for six years, Ray has influences as diverse as George Benson, Marvin Gaye, John Mayer, and especially his own father. "My dad was a jazz musician and he taught me a lot," the tall and lanky singer/songwriter says.

Ray started his musical career without particularly ambitious goals, making just a simple demo with a few tracks.

"My goal when I first started was to just make a CD so that my family could hear it. Then I sat down and said, 'This is really something I would like to do more often', so I knew I needed to act on that," he says.

Well aware of the career limitations of performing solely in Newton, Ray decided he needed a change of scenery. He acted on this by moving from Newton to Boston, where he played as many open mic nights as he possibly could - all while trying to make ends meet. Unlike most rock stars, he holds down a day job at Linens 'n Things.

Armed with just an acoustic guitar, his soulful voice, and a whole array of digital effects, Ray is able to connect with listeners instantly. His song "Train" is particularly memorable, utilizing scat singing and chugging chords that instantly resonate with the listener. He also is a master of varying his vocal style, pulling new and interesting variations from a seemingly endless reserve.

Ray is not just a strong recording artist. He is also an exciting performer known for his spontaneity and impromptu covers. Recently when he performed in the Backstage at Bentley, he jumped into an acoustic version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice," which garnered grins from the audience.

Equally interesting are his abilities on his Loop Station (a small digital device that allows solo performers to create and playback tracks on the fly), which he uses to create psychedelic tones that are reminiscent of an entirely different Hendrix in both sound and style. "The Loop Station takes a lot of practice," he says. "And the instruction manual helps."

For now Ray is content in continuing to entertain people in the Boston area with his unique music. A self-described "pizza addict," he wishes he had the chance to play with Marvin Gaye, among others. So what is the driving force behind his musical ambitions? "It's better than playing video games," he says. "Although I really like to play them too."
- The Bentley Vanguard