Brandon Ray

Brandon Ray merged soul, heartland rock, and contemporary country to join the wave of mid-2010s country artists who fused all-American rock roots with modern R&B rhythms. This circle included Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, and Brett Eldredge, the last of whom hired Ray as a touring guitarist.

Born and raised in the West Texas town of Big Spring, Ray originally set his sights on baseball until a foot injury steered him toward music instead. He purchased his first guitar at 13 and started writing and performing songs. A punk band occupied his late teens, but country claimed his focus once he reached his early twenties.

After arriving in Nashville in 2008, he landed a publishing contract with Sony ATV and began supplying demo vocals while playing guitar for Brett Eldredge on the Red tour supporting Taylor Swift.

Ray issued the 2016 singles "American Way" and "That Could Be Us," then teamed with producer Ross Copperman for "Ends of the Earth." The track, featuring a cameo from Keith Urban, arrived in August 2017.