Absence makes the heart.....

Long for all of YOU!

Hey honeys.  I deeply apologize for the lack of communication.  So much has been going on.  I just had to take some time to regroup and get it together.  First off, the music got a little crazy.  I needed to record, and I didn't have the resources to do so.  Then, when people were saying they'd do it for FREE, of course they didn't.

You know, constantly, I'm trying to get more shows, but for some reasons, promoters really think I'm going to pay them to perform.  Then, on top of me pursuing the music, I still have bills and a life.  I got a boyfriend now and stuff just got crazy....lol.  

On the flip side, I did some awesome features late in this year.  Cuzzi is a talented rapper in Atlanta.  He and I did a track called "Karma."  It was something a little different for me.  So, be sure to let me know what you think!  :)

Eddie Oliver is an amazing spoken word artist, also in Atlanta.  He wrote a nice piece dedicated to women who've experience domestic violence.  He asked me to do some ad libs.  That's exactly what I did.  He wrote it in such a way that I didn't have to sing many words & it is so powerful!  I hope y'all love it!  Be sure to comment & let me know what you think!  

 

For 2013, I'll have at least one show a month for the entire year, which is awesome, at Mark Squared Studios in Atlanta.  We're kicking off 2013 with on a good note!  On January 1st, I'll be singing at Extra Extra After 300 years the Willie Lynch Curse Dies. It's an early show that starts at 3pm & it's FREE!  You'll also get some history, art, & spoken word!  My first out of town gig, for 2013, is in Baltimore for Valentine's Day.  I'll be sure to keep you updated with all the details.  Continue to spread the music.  Thanks for all the love & support!  

Have a Happy New Year!  

Love you all!    

Good Morning Baltimore!

Honeys, I just got back from my Baltimore trip.  First off, the wedding was beautiful.  It was purple and white.  The bride’s dress was amazing, makeup was gorgeous, she was glowing….She really looked happy.  I’m excited to experience the joy of wedding bells in my own life.  The reception was so much fun.  It was everything a reception was supposed to be & more…LOL.  Now, let me tell you how I got this gig in the first place.  Y’all know I don’t do too much on youtube.  I just don’t.  I need to do more, and I will one day.  J  Anyway, the bride was on youtube looking for the Chrisette Michele song, “Your Joy,” and my cover video for the song came up.  She went and found me on Facebook and commented on my fan page.  She said she wished I could be in Baltimore to sing this at her wedding.  I told her I travel.  A few weeks later, my travel arrangements were booked and we agreed on what was going to take place.  I was so happy because I never thought one of my youtube videos would lead to a show, let alone a paid gig.  So, I encourage each one of you to pursue your dreams no matter what.  So many people have told me to get a job, the music industry is too hard, blah, blah, & blah.  Pursuing any dream isn’t easy, but the ease isn’t the motivation for the journey.  I read this book, “7 Daily Habits of Effective People.”  One of the biggest take aways was “begin with the end in mind.”  Think about how you will once you accomplish your goals.  What will you do once you’ve made it?  Every time I think of it that way, I get an extra boost of motivation.  Also, remember there’s always more than one way to do something.  While a website is essential, I booked a paid show without something that everyone claims I need in order to get shows.  I do need it, don’t get me wrong, but things can be accomplished without focusing so much on what you don’t have.  My next live show is coming up in November.  It will benefit the National Brain Injury Association.  I hope and pray you all can make a huge impact & be apart of the show.  Stay encouraged!

Follow me @T_RayBiz

Like me on Facebook

They Dislike You....SO WHAT!

Last night, I decided to watch Jimmy Fallon.  Woody Allen was on there promoting a movie and a book.  It was an awesome episode.  Any hoot, there's a freestyle section where The Roots had to create on the spot songs based on the audience members' answers to Jimmy Fallon's question.  Jimmy asked this girl what was the one class she hated in high school. She said gym class because no one liked her.  That resonated so deeply with me.  It wasn't that she hated the class because swimming messed her hair up, or the gym teacher was mean.  No one liked her, so she hated the class.  I can relate to her feelings so well.  When I was in Middle School, I hated riding the bus because this one girl named Yvonne didn't like me.  Because of our own insecurities, we dislike things that don't result in acceptance.  That, my honeys, is the root of low self esteem.  No matter if you're doing great or bad in life, people are going to dislike you.  If their dislike determines whether you continue to do something or not, your life will be unfulfilled.  People dislike Beyonce, Mark Zuckerburg, Oprah, etc.  That didn't stop them.  Find a way to love you enough so the dislike of others doesn't even matter.  Love your face, eyes, smile, skin, personality, brain, etc.....IT'S YOURS!  God gave it to you.  You were uniquely created.  Furthermore, you will enhance the life of others.  Don't waste your life trying to please everyone else's idea of you.  I know it may seem like I'm rambling, but I really believe low self-esteem keeps a lot of us from reaching our full potential.  I thank God for overcoming my self esteem issues.  I promise to do all I can to help my honeys with their self esteem issues!  :)

9/23/2012 Red Light Cafe featuring the Soulful Sounds of T-Ray
Advance tickets available at Tickets
Come out and support.  Tell a friend and bring a friend!  :)  Show starts at 7pm!


Follow me on Twitter
Like me on Facebook 

The Museum Bar

I don't even know where to begin with this one....So here goes.  My manager informed me that a connection was made with the owner of the Museum Bar here in Atlanta, and that I had an opportunity to perform on Wednesday nights.  I've heard of the place and was uber excited because they always have a crowd.  Plus, there's a live band that plays.  I was told when I got there to ask for such and such.  So, I got on the bus to go the train station, hopped on the train, then took another bus.  I got off that bus to walk down the street to the place.  I get there, the security guard checked my bag.  By the way, he was fine....LOL.  So, I go in and ask for this Such and Such, the owner.  Come to find out that Such and Such wasn't even the owner.  So, the nice young lady working the door went to get the owner.  The owner came and met me.  She was very nice.  We spoke, and she explained what I needed to do in order to perform.  The venue is awesome.  It's clean, smells good, spacious, furniture is luxurious, bar was nice, stage was awesome, there was a full band.....etc.  Now, my blood begins to boil, so I just leave.  First off, I'm sick of people flexing in Atlanta.  It's ok not to be an owner.  You could have just said you were an employee at the establishment.  Then, why wasn't the necessary research done prior to me getting the info.....Then, I had to go thru the hood to get to the place....Some man on the street wanted to touch my hair because he felt I had style.  Then, when I finally get on my last bus to get home, this woman turns around and looks at me on the bus when I mentioned the word bobby pins and fiending.  When did those words become inappropriate to say out loud????  So, that was my experience today.....Now, I feel better.  :)  On another note, I do have a show on Saturday September 1st at Jay's Place II in Lithonia, GA.  Advance tickets are $12.  $15 at the door.  You can RSVP at Labor Day Weekend Show starts at 9pm.  :)

Follow me @T_RayBiz
Like me Facebook

So much Fear!

Many of you may know that my grandfather, Bennie Lee Cain, just passed away.  My granddad gave me an example of what man does in a woman's life.  For that, I am definitely grateful and thankful.  I could call him for anything, financial or not, and he was there.  Now, I'm still working to emotionally move on.  Honestly, though, my fear is that my husband won't live up to those standards.  Now, granite, I do have faith don't get me wrong.  But, I'm human.  What if the average man doesn't agree with my belief in a man being there for me in that capacity?  What if he's only doing it for something in return.....So many questions.  Anyway, the funeral was good.  There were quite a few people there, and everyone had something good to say about him.  So, I'm happy to know that he left a good legacy.  I was blessed to have a great relationship with him, and pray that my grandchildren, when I have them, and I will be close to.  So, if your grandparents are still alive, show them love.  Embrace them.  Cherish the moments y'all share together.  If they're no longer here in the physical, focus on the positive memories y'all created.  :)


Be sure to follow me on Twitter
Like me on Facebook

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

I finally read the book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey.  So, this is nothing against my parents, but they're old school.  They didn't sit me down and talk about men in detail.  It wasn't explained to me what the male role was in a female's life.  I gathered my own idea from the things that my father did, but y'all get the point.  Anyway, I was very hesitant on reading the book because I heard so much negativity about it.  So, I joined the Black Expressions Book Club and ordered the book.  I read it, and  I LOVED IT.  I didn't agree with everything in the book, but Steve Harvey made some great points that stuck out.  I realized that a man who loves a woman will profess it, protect her, and provide for her.  Simple as that....I've been single since 2004, and so many men look at me crazy when I expect to go out on a public date...LOL. I started to believe that the only way I would get a good man is if I allowed him to come to my house for the first date, but I had a few men that still gave me hope.  Anyway, Steve Harvey proved my parent's and my point.  A man who is interested in you will take you out on dates.  Expecting him to do so doesn't make a woman a gold digger.  So, that was my biggest take away. I just love the simplistic manner in which the book was written.  I won't say that it'll be my man bible, but it definitely gave me a different perspective on men, their emotions, how they think, etc.  So, if you haven't done so, you should definitely get a copy of his book. It's great.  :)

Follow me on Twitter
Like me on Facebook

Seize All Moments!

Last night I had a show in Smyrna at Jimiz Lounge.  I got there a little late.  One of my friends from school, who I hadn't seen in years, called me and said he was coming out.  Honestly, I didn't believe him.  Y'all know me and my issues...lol.  Anyway, so I can in there, the crowd included a few people.  So, I actually performed 5 songs.  My voice didn't crack.  I think I only hit like one bad note.  When I got done, this hair stylist offered to work for me for a flat monthly fee.  My friend offered to jump on board and become a part of the team.  The owner wants me to come back out next week.  So, I'm quite excited about this.  I could be that diva type of artist and say, "The audience wasn't large enough, not going back, blah, blah, blah!"  But, I'm not.  I will be back next Wednesday to perform.  Very thankful for the opportunities that God is blessing me with.  Thanks for being on the journey with me.  As always, follow me on twitter at @T_RayBiz.  Download the music on iTunes or Amazon or Reverbnation or....LOL.  Ok, I'll stop.  Make sure you spread the word!