Exposed Vocals Interviews Ray William Roldan
Born in Jersey and raised on the West Coast. He is known as someone with something to say. Came up listening to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Rick Nelson, Merl Haggart, George Jones and more.
Ray picked up the guitar and harmonica in his late teens. But his heart was always in the words of the classic songs he grew up on.
He writes about what he knows and he has lived in the classic Country and Blues/Rock style.
He sings his songs like someone who owns the story. Ray has had the good fortune with his band, Broke Fence, to have recorded with some great musicians such as Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), John J.T. Thomas (Bruce Hornsby), Rick Shea (Dave Alvin, Rosie Perez), Bruce Watson (Rod Stewart), Chuck Kavoorus, and Brad Cobb (Tori Amos), David Chamberlain (Roy Buchanan, Manhattan Transfer). Ray’s band also includes Mark Hayes (lead guitar) and Luke Hayes (drums).
Ray had recorded two albums back to back: “In California Country” and “Where We Come From”. Both of which are receiving extensive radio play in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Ray’s songs have shared the bill with such notables as: Tim Mc Graw, Billy Yates,
the Bellamy Brothers and others on more than twenty radio compilations in the past two years.
Ray’s songs have qualified as top finalist 7 times from 2007 through 2013 for the Song of the Year
Contests. He won 2007 “Top 25 songs/CD” for IndieMusic.com and eleven finalist nominations for his song “Man of Steel” in 2008 through the Fame Game Effigy award ceremony.
Ray has a fan base on MySpace of well over 65,000 friends and has music on 120 similar sites.
And the radio stations which have played Ray’s music are too numerous to list.
Ray has just released his 3rd CD “Mended Fences” with 14 new tracks.
This makes Ray William Roldan a highly sought after Artist for his songs and contributions to Country, Americana and Roots rock.
The new Cd “Mended Fences” as with the prior 2 CD’s are available through CDBaby, Itunes,
Amazon and many other sources..
Produced by Brad Cobb/Mark Hayes and myself with help on drums from David Carisony of the
Rippingtons and Rick Shae on pedal steel and of course Bruce Watson and all the other cats
from the earlier CD’s!
All Songs on Mended Fences CD written, Preformed and Published by Ray William Roldan
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Ray William Roldan: I was born in Jersey, Left at age 5 when my father was killed on his Harley. Came to the San Fernando valley in the early sixties and lived in many places including the family car until I joined the Navy and shipped off to boot camp in the first week after my 17th birth day. Come from a mix of show biz people, mechanics,builders and outlaws! Been diggin’ music and words my entire life. As a kid I’d sit at the “Mag rack” at Thrifty’s and learn all the latest songs from the Hit Parade mags. And of course 93 KHJ am was my source of music for years. When we found ourselves under an actual roof there was always some vinyl on the turntable,
Elvis, Cash, Sinatra, Elvis, Elvis! (My mom eloped in the first year of Hollywood High at 15 with My wild Harley ridin’, Elvis lovin’ Pop!). I’ve been an artist since I could hold a pencil, guitar, mike or girl for that matter . I love putting a good story to a good groove.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free?
Why?
RWR: I believe at a certain point in your career it’s a good way to get folks to hear what you do with out having to rip it! I also feel that if folks really dig what you do they could toss an electronic “TIP” your
way to help show support! Even if it was only a few cents each time it would add up. I give my music away all the time as a form of self promotion.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a startup once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
RWR: I used the internet to research every possible low cost way to get myself known and well thought of as an artist! I also got many cuts put on various compilations which got world wide airplay. One of the first compiltions I was accepted on also had Tim Mcgraw on and several other known and signed artists! This a good way to get the DJ’s to give you a listen and some air play. You can expect to pay any where From $100 to $500 to get a song on a comp and submitted to hundreds of radio stations including FM stations around the world
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
RWR: Hell yes I make mistakes and if I laugh about it when it happens it makes everyone there feel a little more comfortable and if I get flustered the folks feel uncomfortable. I spent a couple of years taking Acting/Performing arts workshops to deal with the crazy stage fright I had and it worked great.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
RWR: I haven’t toured as I’ve been far too busy raising a family, running a business, writing and recording Etc. I am considering touring in the next couple of years as the kids are getting older and my Wife and I could justify it as a vacation.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
RWR: I’m a bit of a prolific writer! I’ve written over 40 songs in the past 18 mos and recorded over a dozen tunes! I find inspiration everywhere, mostly because I’m always looking for it!
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
RWR: www.raywilliamroldan.com is my site and if you Google my name you will find many of the sites I’m on, Reverbnation, Facebook, Twitter, Jango, Ourstage to name a few.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
RWR: I’ve got “Dear Penis” sung by Rodney Carrington which is very funny and could be embarrassing under the right circumstances. LOL!
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
RWR: A lot of drinkin’, hot tubbin’, eatin’ good food, travelin’ and buyin’ guitars and cowboy boots and of course whatever else comes up! Which sounds alot like my present life style but freeer! LOL!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
RWR: I’m just finishing up a new studio at my new home in the hills of So Cal! I made this one up to look like an old country bar ( fer some of that twangy inspiratin’).
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
RWR: I’m always selling myself and my art to anyone who will listen, The internet is the best way I’ve found to find new and often affordable ways to get the word out.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
RWR: Wow! That’s a tough one, I’d say Steve Earl in Austin, because he came up with so many of the greats! And of course he’s one of ‘em.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
RWR: I’m working on putting a new band together for So Cal gigs and I’m working on a 4th cd with a new producer and of course writing more songs! I’m also getting married in October! I love my life!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
RWR: I’m a sculptor and a poet, but I love building stuff to!
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
RWR: When I started buying albums I was all about the Blues because I was a budding 19 year old harmonica player and someone told me about Sonny Boy Williamson! Damn that cat was so cool!
I ended up with thousands of recordings and went from there to Hank Williams and Jimmy Reed and country was burned into my heart.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
RWR:That’s the big trick, You’ve got to show everything in your life complete respect or one aspect will cancel out another. It took a long time for me to figure that out. I love art and creating so I had to learn to see the art in everything I do.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
RWR: I’m really working on that sound I hear in my head, that perfect feeling. It’s gonna be realized on this new CD with this new band! Thanks to all of my fans and friends and thanks for all the support! Ray William Roldan