Image courtesy of Black River
At Think Country, we hear it all the time. Ask any country artist what they long for most and they will almost always say it’s to play the Grand Ole Opry. It’s the pinnacle for those who have worked so hard and dreamed of that moment when they can finally step into that circle. That shining moment is about to happen for Ray Fulcher on Friday, June 25th. Fulcher, who has amassed 30+ million artist streams and 3 billion streams as a songwriter, will also release new music the same day as his Opry debut.
“I grew up on old country and watching YouTube videos of the Opry dreaming of one day standing there in the circle. To have it actually happening is both surreal and the highest honor. In my opinion, there’s not a more special place in all of music.” ~ Ray Fulcher
Fulcher teased the upcoming release of his new music on Instagram earlier this week by posting a video of a cassette tape and a Walkman. He’ll be releasing three new songs – “Girl In It,” “Way Out” and “Bucket List Beers” on June 25th. This will mark his first new music as an artist on Black River Records.
All three songs are available to pre-save HERE.
Teaming with West Tennessee‘s Jonathan Singleton for production, the pair dug in for a Memphis-meets-’90s country sound. Guitars that sting, hooks that land and story twists that prompt smiles, they created retro-contemporary sounds that are old school, new school and no school country.
“Jonathan’s guitar just moves over everything, whether it’s a Tremolo part or this quick-picking all over playing. There’s this Memphis thing he brings, a little bit edgier, maybe, or dirtier. You know, when we’re in the zone, I think my songs move a little more rhythmically, go a little deeper into the pockets.” ~ Ray Fulcher
Fulcher delivers songs that focus on a slower way of life, that’s equal parts pride, joy and good clean fun. That joy is felt whether he’s in artist or songwriter mode. Fulcher’s old friend Luke Combs scored the 2020 CMA Album of the Year with What You See Is What You Get, and it might not be too surprising to learn that these two buddies co-wrote eight of the tracks off that record together. Eight more ended up on This One’s For You. Four of those songs – “When It Rains It Pours,” “Even Though I’m Leaving,” “Lovin’ On You” and “Does To Me,” featuring their mutual idol and influence Eric Church – hit #1.
This fall Fulcher will join Luke Combs on his What You See Is What You Get Tour and also supports Ashley McBryde on select dates.
Photo credit: Rachel Deeb
“People have asked me in the past, ‘what’s your favorite place to play,'” said Fulcher. “And I’d say, ‘well, I can tell you, but the answer will change if I ever play the Opry, because after that, it will always be the favorite place I’ve played.'”
On June 23rd, Fulcher will join Devin Dawson, Jonathan Singleton and Faren Rachels at Nashville’s The Listening Room for a charity show that benefits the Pretty Good Ball Fund in partnership with the Music Health Alliance. For tickets and additional information, please visit The Listening Room Pretty Good Ball Fund.
For more information on Ray Fulcher’s upcoming music, tour dates, merchandise and more please visit rayfulchermusic.com.
Ray Fulcher’s 2021 Tour Dates:
- 9-2-2021 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
- 9-21-2021 Billings, MT – MetraPark Arena
- 9-22-2021 Missoula, MT – The Wilma
- 9-23-2021 Spokane, WA – Fox Theatre
- 9-25-2021 Seattle, WA – The Showbox
- 9-26-2021 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
- 9-28-2021 Eugene, OR – Matthew Knight Arena
- 9-29-2021 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
- 10-1-2021 San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
- 10-2-2021 Bakersfield, CA – Rabobank Arena
- 10-13-2021 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
- 11-4-2021 Chicago, IL – United Center
- 11-5-2021 Chicago, IL – United Center
- 11-6-2021 St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
- 11-16-2021 New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
- 11-18-2021 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
- 11-19-2021 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
- 11-20-2021 Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
- 11-29-2021 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- 11-30-2021 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- 12-2-2021 Boston, MA – TD Garden Arena
- 12-3-2021 Boston, MA – TD Garden Arena
- 12-15-2021 Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
- 12-16-2021 Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
For more news, interviews, reviews and features that always bring country closer, please visit thinkcountrymusic.com.
*Featured photo courtesy of Black River
