We play Bluegrass, Old-Time, Gospel and Honky-Tonk music with some Country and Cajun thrown in.  We do it for fun and primarily our own enjoyment -- it's an added bonus that folks like to listen.

We decided to establish a rudimentary website, because people kept asking us about one, and after awhile it eventually became embarrassing (especially since a couple of us are based in that computer-savvy town of Ann Arbor!)

We're often in a healthy state of dynamic flux, and when we play we usually are comprised of at least 3 and typically 5 or more of the following band members:

• Mike Ray Tucker on mandolin and high-lonesome vocals
• Jim Ray Cote on guitar, banjo, and lead vocals
• Mark Ray Donajkowski on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, some lead and background vocals
• Dave Ray Keeney on dobro, guitar, some lead and background vocals
• Wayne Ray Holcombe on banjo, some lead and background vocals
• Chuck Ray Anderson on doghouse bluegrass bass, guitar, some lead and background vocals

We're also currently the back-up band for Jack Spack, Jr., who's an honorary Hillray but won't admit it to anyone!

We have a record label -- Dog City Records -- and we've recorded some CDs, plus a few knock-off projects to boot! -- We'll mention more when we update this page. At this stage if you'd like any more info, please email Chuck at Chuck@hillrays.com or cdandrsn@umich.edu

We have Gigs and sundry other Public & Private Appearances now-and-then:

• December 12th, 2007    5:30 to 8:30 PM, Katie's Food & Spirits   No Cover.   2830 Baker Road Dexter, MI 734-426-4707    We'll have a fun, informal jam & pickin' party right in the bar. This bar is a comfy, un-assuming spot that'll make you feel right at ease, so come on down for some cheap beer and good grub! Now, it's probably true that you don't get many chances to be serenaded by a bunch of hillbillies...     

• November 10th, 2007    7 to 10 PM, Eastside Banfield's big 25th Anniversary Celebration and PigRoast. Get your tickets from the bar. They know how to party, so you know where you'll want to be! (3140 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor)    Don't miss it -- come git yersef some o' them good jowl meat ....!     

• September 29th, 2007    3:30 to 5:30 PM, Kensington Nature Center,   No Cover.   2240 W. Buno Road, Milford, MI 48380-4410   Today we're fortunate to be joined by fiddler extraordinaire Mary Seelhorst!     

• September 15th, 2007    2-4 PM.   Grass Lake Fall Harvest Festival! The whole town and surrounding counties come out for this big party. Food, arts & crafts vendors, even elephant ears.... This event is coordinated by the Grass Lake Chamber of Commerce   We'll be situated by the gazebo in historic Whistlestop Park, 210 E. Michigan Ave, Grass Lake, MI.      Note: We're on from 2 to 4, but there'll be a total of 6 bands playing from noon until 8PM!    

• August 25th, 2007    2:00-8:00 PM.   Benefit in honor of Mel Sroufe. Manchester American Legion. (734) 428-8500. 203 Adrian St, Manchester, MI    Help raise funds for the Sroufe family to pay for Mel's medical expenses.     

• August 11th, 2007    6:00-9:00 PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130. Free!     

• July 28th-29th, 2007       Mancelona Hoontenanny, Mancelona MI.     

• July 14th, 2007    6:00-9:00 PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130. Free!     

• June 30th, 2007    4:00-12:00 PM.   Private function: wedding celebration!     

• June 24th, 2007    8:00-10:00 PM.   With the notorious Jack Spack Jr. !. Join us at the friendly Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor. Free, as usual, 8-10 PM (122 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor 734-662-9291)     

• June 23rd, 2007    12:00-3:00 PM.   Private function celebrating a couple's 50th anniversary!    Held at the incomparable Dale Fisher Gallery 1916 Norvell, Grass Lake, MI (517) 522-3705 See amazing photographs & other artwork, plus see exotic international birds & fowl! Hey -- was that an ostrich that just flapped by ?!     

• June 10th, 2007    6:00-9:00 PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130, Free!     

• June 3rd, 2007    12:00-3:00 PM.   Farmer's Market, Midland Fairgrounds, Midland, MI 48130     

• May 12th, 2007    6:00-9:00 PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130, Free!     

• May 5th, 2007    2:00-7:00 PM.   Private function celebrating a young friend's confirmation.     

• April 15th, 2007    We're back at Eastside Banfield's Bar and Grill, 2:00 to 5:00 PM, No Cover. (3140 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor)     

• April 14th, 2007    6:00-9:00 PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130, Free!     

• March 31st, 2007    We're back at Eastside Banfield's Bar and Grill, 8:00 to 12:00 PM, No Cover. (3140 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor) Join a great crowd at this Eastside Ann Arbor-Ypsi pub for high-lonesome & hard-drivin' bluegrass. Of course, we'll also play honkytonk, western swing, and gospel tunes too!     

• March 3rd, 2007   Katie's Food & Spirits (Formerly the Alley Bar), 8:00 to 12:00 PM, No Cover. (2830 Baker Road, Dexter 734-426-4707) Comfy, casual spot that's a great place to hear acoustic music!      Bar & grill with good food, and they carry everything from PBR to Guiness!
       With special guest and twisted musical genius & songwriter Jack Spack Jr. !.

• February 10th, 2007    6:00-9:00PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130, Free!     

• January 13th, 2007    6:00-9:00PM.   Bluegrass gospel at the Dexter Senior Center, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI 48130, Free!     

• January 7th, 2007    Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor. Free, as usual, 8-10PM (122 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor 734-662-9291) First set backing the inimitable Jack Spack, Jr.      While I'm at it, you know, you should really check out some of his artwork. I'm particularly partial to the shadow boxes. Go ahead, it won't hurt your eyes: Jack Spack Jr. !.
  Second set, we're on our own -- actually, if we're lucky we might get the awesome Mary Seelhorst to join us!

Besides playing at our friends' houses, the Garage Mahal and in Jim's kitchen, we play around Ypsi/Ann Arbor and in the SE MI area. Everything from local bars such as the Old Town Tavern, to boating marinas, private clubs such as the Moose Lodge and Fraternal Order of Eagles, and also personal private events such as weddings and parties.

Now please realize it's hard for these boys to plan ahead, so even tho' we might really *want* to play at your place or event, we just might not be able to reliably *commit* to doing it.

We also go to festivals such as BlissFest, Wheatland Music Festival , Milan Bluegrass Festival, Minnesota Bluegrass and Old time Music Festival, IBMA Festival, SpackFest, and the legendary Winter Campout (!) -- plus others.

We have pictures and we'll be putting some more of them up soon. It sure would've been nice to get some pictures when we played at the Ark, but maybe we'll get some next time. For now, look at the bottom of this page for a little informal image...

We'd love to hear from you so drop us as line at either of the two email addresses:

• Chuck@Hillrays.com
• cdandrsn@umich.edu

Here's a view under the infamous Happy Camper tent. There's Tuck w/his mandolin and he's probably hitting some high-lonesome-note or yodel. Jimmy's doing his natural harmonizing with Tuck, while flat-picking guitar; Chuck's on bass and we have some friends joining us jamming along! This is probably in the middle of the night about 3 or 4AM at either BlissFest or Wheatland.