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 AT hillrays DOT com or cdandrsn AT umich DOT edu
We have occasional Gigs and sundry other Public & Private Appearances now-and-then:
- October 30th, 2011 1-4 PM Free Art On the Farm 12075 Island Lake Road Dexter Michigan We'll have a quorum and will be carrying-on during the afternoon outside by the barn. Come out to see some wonderful art of all types -- photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry and other handcrafts such as home-made soaps and candles, plus other amazing items too numerous to mention! Art on the Farm is a perfect spot to purchase quite a few of your holiday gifts! We hope to be joined by a bumch of other musicians. If we're lucky and schedules work out, perhaps we'll see the powerful and charismatic singer/songwriter Letha Allen.
- September 18th, 2011 10AM Service North Side Community Church No Cover. 929 Barton Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Michigan (734) 662-6351 Join us in fellowship and praise -- we will perform some gospel songs for the congregation this morning --No secular music today!!
- July 2nd, 2011 4 PM to 5PM, Freedom Festival right smack-dab in the middle of downtown Whitmore Lake. We're thrilled to be part of WAAM radio's first annual event! The music and entertainment continue up until dusk, culminating in Whitmore Lake's awesome and inspireing firewoks display. One of the very finest fireworks in these parts -- See the link for location details and all the info. Come on out and watch us color this festival: RED, WHITE and BLUEGRASS !!! Gotta be good for ya -- you might even start to feel a little patriotic ...
- Nov 27th, 2010 8 PM to midnight, Katies Bar, A2830 Baker Rd, Dexter MI 48130. (734) 426-4707. Playing at Katie's feels like returning home! Friendly & talented waitstaff, tasty barfood and comfortable environment. A wonderful mix of hillbilly ecstasy and chaotic, swirling energy.
Special guests!
Look for unannounced, surprise events, other guest musicians....
- Oct 31st, 2010 1 PM to 4PM, Art on The Farm near Dexter, MI on Island Lake Drive. Acoustic music by the barn & silo. Unamplified and we'll be joined by other illustrious comrades. Come wander the barns and buildings and check out all the artisans and their wares. And while you're there, Don't forget to get something from Happy Peasant.
- July 3rd, 2010 6 PM to midnight, Private event on Baseline Lake -- inconjunction with their impressive fireworks display. We'll be pickin' and grinnin', so if you're out on your skif
maybe you
can navigate over to the beach and listen in.
But when the big boomers start going off, we won't compete with the
noise from those spectacular fireworks ....!
- July 10, 2010
3:15-3:45 PM, One set for Stockyard Stomp! Located at the intersection of Willis & Whittaker Roads. Part of an event which includes more than a dozen area bands, plus good food & drink!
- July 16, 2010 6:30 PM Ypsilanti Crossroads Festival Free! Outdoor stage 13 N Washington, downtown Ypsilanti. We're opening an evening of Americana roots and acoustic music. After our set, stick around for more great sounds from Corn Daddy, and Bill Bynum & Co!
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:
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.
