| Ray Herndon |
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Ray Herndon
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Arizona |
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Phoots comi...
As a musician, Ray Herndon has recorded with Lyle Lovett as a guitarist. As a songwriter, he's given life to Kenny Chesney's hit "Me and You." He's a founding member of McBride & the Ride and has sung on hits by Aaron Tippin and Marty Stuart.
An Arizona native, Herndon grew up surrounded by music. His late father, Brick, played stand-up bass, drums and guitar, and his two older brothers are also musicians. He cites a diverse group of influences including Merle Haggard, James Taylor, and "everyone from ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan to jazz guitarists Larry Carlton and Joe Pass."
Herndon, who attended a jazz college in Mesa, Ariz., sharpened his musical skills playing at his family's restaurant and nightspot, Handlebar J, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Word of his talent spread to Mr. Lucky's, a nationally recognized nightclub in Phoenix, where in 1982 he became a member of the house band. The following year on a trip to Europe, the band connected with a then unknown singer-songwriter Lovett. Soon, Herndon was on the road with Lovett, offering backing vocals and playing guitar.
His career changed forever in 1989 when he became a founding member of McBride & the Ride. Known for their tight harmonies, the trio garnered seven Top 10 singles and the No. 1 "Sacred Ground" in the 1990s. After a seven-year break, they reunited at Handlebar J's 25th anniversary party in 2001 and a new record followed in 2002.
As a songwriter, Herndon's songs have been recorded by McBride & the Ride, Lee Greenwood, Sonya Isaacs and Tippin. His biggest success came in 1996 with Chesney's hit "Me and You," a song Herndon co-wrote with Skip Ewing. Herndon includes his own rendition on his 2004 album Livin' the Dream. Guests on that album include Lovett and Isaacs, as well as Clint Black, Jon Randall, Jessi Colter and the Fairfield Four's Dickie Freeman.
An Arizona native, Herndon grew up surrounded by music. His late father, Brick, played stand-up bass, drums and guitar, and his two older brothers are also musicians. He cites a diverse group of influences including Merle Haggard, James Taylor, and "everyone from ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan to jazz guitarists Larry Carlton and Joe Pass."
Herndon, who attended a jazz college in Mesa, Ariz., sharpened his musical skills playing at his family's restaurant and nightspot, Handlebar J, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Word of his talent spread to Mr. Lucky's, a nationally recognized nightclub in Phoenix, where in 1982 he became a member of the house band. The following year on a trip to Europe, the band connected with a then unknown singer-songwriter Lovett. Soon, Herndon was on the road with Lovett, offering backing vocals and playing guitar.
His career changed forever in 1989 when he became a founding member of McBride & the Ride. Known for their tight harmonies, the trio garnered seven Top 10 singles and the No. 1 "Sacred Ground" in the 1990s. After a seven-year break, they reunited at Handlebar J's 25th anniversary party in 2001 and a new record followed in 2002.
As a songwriter, Herndon's songs have been recorded by McBride & the Ride, Lee Greenwood, Sonya Isaacs and Tippin. His biggest success came in 1996 with Chesney's hit "Me and You," a song Herndon co-wrote with Skip Ewing. Herndon includes his own rendition on his 2004 album Livin' the Dream. Guests on that album include Lovett and Isaacs, as well as Clint Black, Jon Randall, Jessi Colter and the Fairfield Four's Dickie Freeman.