Ray O'Hara
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Ray O'Hara

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Rootstime eZine"

“With Ray O’Hara a new name appears on the horizon. After time spent in the Orange Hunters and three CDs brought to market, it is with this solo debut that I think he can finally realize breakthrough success... with this strong performance he is new hope in the roots world.” - Braeken Francois


"Alt Country NL eZine"

“In 2002, Ray O’Hara was deservingly awarded 3rd place in the ASCAP Texas Songwriting Competition. 45 South proves O’Hara indeed a good hand of songwriting to have; ten arresting songs flowed from his pen.” - Leo Kattestraat


"SXSW 2005"

When Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2, London came to Austin for SXSW, one of his first stops was Waterloo Records. In his search for new Austin talent, he emerged with a copy of Ray O’Hara’s 45 South. He then went down to the Radisson hotel, where he set up shop to Broadcast his popular weekly ‘Country Programme’ and introduced his audience to Ray with the CD’s title track ’45 South’. A tremendous response from his listeners and Bob’s fondness for the record has resulted in continued spins of ’45 South” as well as the country rocker ‘Talk Tough’.

“It’s pretty amazing,” says the 32 year old singer/songwriter. “I had no idea Bob had my record, and then I started selling all these CDs in the UK and getting emails from his listeners telling me how much they loved the song. It’s an honor to be receiving so much attention from Bob and to be played alongside the greats like Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Jimmy LaFave and Alison Kraus.”

The response, in fact, has been so overwhelming that plans for a tour to the UK with Idgy Vaughn are in the works for September of 2005.
- BBC Radio


"Texas Music Magazine"

"Ray's song writing is amazing, his voice is great and you can tell that he puts his heart and soul in to his music. It's hard to believe that this is his debut effort. I look forward to hearing more from him in the months and years to come. I think we will be hearing his name and beautiful music for a long time." - Jon Crosby Schultz


Discography

45 South (2005). Co-produced by Ray O'Hara and Larry Wilson.

Several tracks from 45 South have been receiving airplay throughout Europe, including BBC Radio2.

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

"45 South", an Americana melting pot of folk, rock, pop, bluegrass and country, is the debut album from award-winning songwriter Ray O'Hara.

What started out as a solo, acoustic project has blossomed into an electrifying mix of drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, dobro, lap steel, harmonica, fiddle, banjo, organ, piano and accordion. Many of Ray's songs are soulful, honest stories of love, hope and despair. Some are roguish tunes that poke fun at the foibles of life.

Drawing from the deep pool of talented Austin musicians, "45 South" features some of the best players around: Jimmy LaFave, Trish Murphy, Rachel Loy, Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp, Patti Griffin), Rick McRae (George Strait), Mike Hardwick (Elyza Gilkenson, Jon Dee Graham), Larry Wilson (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Jimmy LaFave), Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson, Alejandro Escovedo), Wally Doggett (Chris Duarte, Jimmy LaFave), Wil Landin (Jimmy LaFave), Stewart Cochran (54 Seconds, Abra Moore), Rich White (Peter Keane) and Louis Meyers (The Bluegrass Nibblers). Ray's long time friend and former Orange Hunters guitarist/singer Pat Cordell sings harmony and shares a songwriting credit on "Still Looking".

Released in January 2005, "45 South" has been well received in Austin and Europe. Performing at the Cactus Cafe, Momo's, the Saxon Pub, Freddie's, El Mercado, Threadgill's, Flipnotics, Austin Songwriters Group "In the Round", and the San Marcos River Pub, Ray has shared the stage with Jimmy LaFave, Jon Dee Graham, Bob Schneider, Matt the Electrician, Monte Montgomery, Rachel Loy and Tucker Livingston. Local Austin radio has supported Ray's CD with spins on KGSR and KUT. Ray performed live on John Aielli's Eklektikos and was the featured artist on the KUT "Austin Music Minute" segment. The video for the title track "45 South" has received regular airplay on the Austin Music Network. Garnering rave reviews and airplay throughout Europe has put Ray on the map with our cross-Atlantic brethren.