Kenny Ray (Hatton) spent his younger years as lead singer of a world champion barbershop quartet called “Bluegrass Student Union.”  The group’s live show and recordings are among the most popular in the history of that genre, and they've traveled from London to Beijing, with stops along the way at Carnegie Hall and the White House.  The ensemble eventually visited 47 of the 50 states, and in 2006, the quartet retired from performing.  However, by 2002, Kenny had become acquainted with songwriter Chilton Price, whose #1 hits include the 1950s anthem “You Belong to Me.”  The pair collaborated on two CDs, “Pure Price” and “The Best is Yet to Come,” hoping to introduce famous recording artists to Chilton’s unpublished works.  The result proved to be more than just a couple of “demo” recordings, and the listeners strongly encouraged Kenny Ray to pursue traditional jazz. 

        In July of 2005, Kenny played with Jay Flippin (Dr. Jay) for the first time during a week-long engagement at the Cabana Club in Salt Lake City.  That show featured half standards and half original songs by Chilton Price.  The performance of the songs and the banter between the two musicians were so well accepted that the three (Chilton, Jay and Kenny) decided to produce a big band recording (with strings) called “Raise the Roof,” which was completed in early 2007.  This CD also includes familiar standards and original songs by Chilton, but this time with musical arrangements by the Emmy award-winning Jay Flippin from sketches written by Kenny Ray.  The CD was a huge artistic success that resulted in regional bookings for the duo and long engagements for Kenny aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner in 2007 and 2008.  Upon returning from the March 2008 trip, Kenny booked a gig with Dr. Jay and a 7-piece band at Speakeasy Jazz in New Albany, Indiana.  The sold-out performance was videotaped for display on YouTube, and now Kenny and Jay are enjoying the resulting engagements

Kenny Ray...

Have Talent – Will Travel