ABOUT RAY
Ray Damar
Ray Damar is a classic example of a true soul singer. From his personal struggles, failures, triumphs, and reflective observations of life events, Ray Damar. Creates music that transforms these life experiences into feelings that are understood by all who hears his music. This music speaks to the listener’s soul. His formula for this creativity consists of a mix from a limitless vault, varying in degrees of musical genres. These include Soul, Gospel, Neo-Soul, Pop, Country, R&B, and Bluegrass. Ray Damar. describes his unique sound and creativity as “a collage of feelings and expressions rooted in understanding the essence of people running deep down within their souls.”
Background and Musical Influences
Ray Damar, a soul singer; His musical roots run four generations deep. His late maternal great- grandmother was a polished contra soprano who sang spirituals flawlessly with little effort. His maternal grandfather taught himself how to play seven musical instruments, plays several musical instruments “By ear.” My uncle played drums and they played in several clubs thought-out the north, such as Philadelphia, PA, Delaware, Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC. They gained recognition from the popular national TV show “Shingdig”. In the mid 1960’s, my grandfather and uncle formed a family gospel.
This group and another gospel groups began traveling together, performing in local and regional churches. They became regulars on the Sunday morning gospel program on WGIV in Charlotte, NC, where they sang and played live on the air, my cousin, the late Bernard Wilson found success in music as one of the original members of the famed R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, who were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007. The Blue notes gained commercial success with the addition of the late, great, and legendary Theodore “Teddy” Pendergrass in the 1970’s. However, the greatest influence of my grandfather development in secular music was his late great-uncle, as well as the 1970’s musical groups. From the time he was a toddler, my grandfather. would listen as his uncle who would dial into the hottest radio stations at the time was 1600 WGIV (Soul and R&B). He would also turn to Rock 610 W. A. Y. S. (Big Ways Radio am).
Education, Musical Training and Networking
Throughout his educational career Ray Damar received consistent musical training. He began by learning to play the alto saxophone. While he sang in the regular school chorus, the music director inducted him into the Modern Music Masters, a music honor society. When he graduated from high school, he received Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church’s scholarship because of his singing in the young adult choir and teaching Sunday school.
Ray Damar is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University at Greensboro, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing Systems. Before his second year at A&T, Ray Damar. sang in the university’s gospel choir, and was a featured lead vocalist in the university’s jazz ensemble. He was also a member of a group called “Finese”. After his freshman year, destiny allowed him to meet Horus Brown, a recent signee with Uptown Records that featured another, 90’s soul and R&B group “Jodeci”. After singing for Mr. Brown, Ray Damar. went to Uptown Records in New York and convinced a company insider to give him an impromptu audition with company A&R representative “Buttnaked” Tim “Dawg” Patterson. This four-song audition impressed Tim Dawg. He said that, Ray Damar. had a great sound, and a beautiful falsetto, especially for a natural tenor. He even recommended that Ray Damar. sing as a backup for Horus. This trip to New York afforded him the opportunity to sing for Maxine Waters and Steve Harvey, host of Showtime at the Apollo. Both Maxine Waters and Steve Harvey were impressed with his voice.
Further Adult Training and More Networking
After school Ray Damar. Joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned the nickname Mr. Soul while singing at Sunday Services. After the Chaplain ordered him to sing at every Sunday service, he told other Chaplains about Ray Damar. They, too, came to listen to this melodic voice. Staff Sergeant Wayne Nurridan asked Ray Damar to do a set with the band at the staff NCO Club. They brought down the house. Ray Damar. continued to listen to his heart of music throughout his military career. Going back home to Charlotte after enlistment, Ray Damar. continued to participate in and win local talent shows. He was congratulated by Charlotte Hornet’s point guard Mugsby Bogues and several other members of the team. Later Ray Damar. moved to Atlanta, GA where he continued to participate in talent shows, and sing at weddings and other social events. He received three standing ovations when he sang at a Nuwaubian compound in Eatonton, GA. Most recent Ray Damar. Is collaborating with his paternal cousin, bass player, producer, musical arranger, and master sound engineer Anthony “TC” Cunningham.
What Now?
Today, Ray Damar. along with music producer Anthony “TC” Cunningham, writes, composes, arranges, and records his own music. He is managed by Atlanta business man, his beloved mentor and friend Mr. L.C. Crowe affectionately known as Pop. He sincerely believes that during these turbulent times for humanity, now is the ideal time, the perfect time to listen to “Lil Pop”. He will put a song in your heart and it will lift your spirits. It will touch your soul!!