Robert Cray Band

Robert William Cray was born on August 1, 1953, in Columbus, Georgia. His musical journey started at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, where he played in his first band, The One-Way Street. His family later settled in Tacoma, Washington. By the age of 20, Cray had formed the Robert Cray Band and began performing in college towns along the West Coast. During the late 1970s, while living in Eugene, Oregon, he collaborated with Curtis Salgado in the Cray-Hawks. In 1978, he appeared as an uncredited bassist in the film “National Lampoon’s Animal House” as part of the house party band Otis Day and the Knights.

Cray released his debut album, “Who’s Been Talkin'”, in 1980 on Tomato Records. This was followed by “Bad Influence” and “False Accusations” on HighTone Records in the mid-1980s, which helped establish his reputation as a live artist in the United States and Europe. A significant collaboration occurred in 1985 with the release of “Showdown!” alongside Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland. In 1986, he signed with Mercury Records, releasing “Strong Persuader,” which earned a Grammy Award and featured the crossover single “Smoking Gun,” increasing his wider appeal. Under the pseudonym “Night Train Clemons,” he recorded with Ted Hawkins in 1986. Cray was also invited by Keith Richards to join Chuck Berry’s backing band for the 1987 film “Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll.” In 1987, Tina Turner included Cray in her “Break Every Rule” television special.

Throughout the late 1980s, Cray served as an opening act for Eric Clapton and performed sold-out shows as a solo artist. He consistently uses Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters, with two signature Robert Cray Stratocaster models available from Fender. In August 1990, Cray performed “Sweet Home Chicago” with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre, which was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s final performance. Cray was inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk at Guitar Center in 2005. He continued to record and tour, appearing at the Crossroads Guitar Festival and supporting Eric Clapton’s 2006-2007 world tour. In 2011, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he received the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance.