Ray Scott   -  Biography

Ray Scott was raised in the rural farming community of Semora, N.C., and grew up among the blue-collar folks who populate his songs. He also grew up the son of a country singer. In fact, he credits his father, Ray Sr., as his biggest musical influence. The father's dream of musical success was soon passed down to the son, and after a youth spent soaking up his father's music, Scott began to find himself drawn to the authority and gritty realism of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

By the time he was 19, he had formed his first band in Raleigh, N.C. That band promptly fell apart because, among other reasons, none of the members had much music business savvy. Realizing he needed to learn a few things if he wanted a career instead of a hobby, Scott moved to Atlanta and got an associate's degree from the Music Business Institute.

He moved back to Raleigh after graduation and started another band. All the while, he kept getting advice to move to Nashville to advance his career, so he did.

Once in Nashville, he cut some tracks with veteran producers Norro Wilson and Buddy Cannon, but a record deal did not materialize. Then he landed a publishing deal with Tom Collins and had his songs cut by Randy Travis ("Pray for the Fish") and Clay Walker ("A Few Questions"). However, it was his own song, "Plowboy," that convinced Warner Bros. to sign him as an artist. He expects to release his debut in late 2005.