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
Now that Jimmy has returned from his 7-month hiatus/vacation in Florida, for the time-being we've resumed doing Gigs and sundry other Public & Private Appearances now-and-then:
- April 4th, 2009
8 to 12 PM, Katie's Food and Spirits
No Cover.
2830 Baker Rd, Dexter, Michigan (734) 426-4707
Join us at another favorite local watering-hole. Good company, good bar food, drinks and easy-going environment.
But wait, there's more!....
- Joining us is that fine bluegrass band from Lansing namely The Flatbellys Clue in and jam out to the FlatBellies!
- Feast your eyes on Marcy's artwork while you're feasting on good food and music. Her art and design work was previously displayed on the back wall of the bar's "great-room" -- you might have to look around for it now, but it's worth it. Dig these photos and paintings at "starving art-student" prices -- very fine work for a fine price. Here's a glimpse of Marcy Brady's Dynamic Imagery
Click here for a list of our past Gigs
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.
