Michael Ray Reflects On His ‘Crazy’ Year
Michael Ray turned several of his dreams into reality this year. The Florida native released his debut album, earned a chart-topping single, made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, and now, he’s gearing up to embark on a fall tour with one of country music’s hottest artists. To say the past year was a memorable one for the singer/songwriter would be an understatement.
“It’s hard to kind of wrap your mind around it,” Ray tells us of his success.
It all started with a song. “Kiss You In The Morning” hit Country radio in February, and by August, the single became his first No.1. “Everything went so fast from the time it came out to country radio,” he recalls. “I grew up watching those charts, and to have my name and song up there with other great artists that I respect, it was crazy to see.”
His family was equally as excited to see his name on the charts. “I try not to look, but somehow my family found out how to read the charts, so I would get like a weekly text message from them,” he shares. “I didn’t have to look too much, but when it got in the top ten, I started watching pretty religiously.”
He has another reason to watch the charts as his second single, “Real Men Love Jesus,” written by Lance Miller, Brad and Brett Warren and Adam Sanders, is beginning to make its climb. Although he didn’t write it, Ray couldn’t be more proud of the tune.
“‘Real Men Love Jesus’ is just a song that I love and will go down as top five songs I wish I had written,” he says. “It reminds me of my dad and my grandfather.”
Fans can catch Michael Ray performing both “Kiss You In The Morning” and “Real Men Love Jesus” this fall on Kip Moore’s Wild Ones Tour, which kicks off next week in Bethlehem, PA.
“I’m looking forward to the tour,” he tells us. “I’m a big fan of Kip, always have been. I love his style with his new record and it’s going to be fun to go out there with someone that I can learn from every night. He’s somebody that will make me step up to the plate even more as well.
Listen to “Real Men Love Jesus” below.
