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

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:

• December 5th, 2009    2 to 6 PM,    Painted Trout Open House   No Cover.   12075 Island Lake Road, Dexter, Michigan   (734) 424-4822    Join us for the open house by a fabulous artist.   Nosh on tastey goodies, and mingle amid the scarfs and other pieces produced by Lauren, creative force behind "Painted Trout : fine goods for a sporting life."    Visit her website to get an idea of the cornucopia of beautiful items available...

• October 25th, 2009    1 to 4 PM,    Art on the Farm   No Cover.   12075 Island Lake Road, Dexter, Michigan 734.424.4822    Once again we'll be carrying on right outside the barn next to the silo. Come yonder and listen, and then stroll amidst the artists selling their wares. Artists filling up multiple buildings....    See the Art on the Farm website for more information     

• October 18th, 2009    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 4th, 2009    8 PM to 1 AM,    Private Party   Baseview Lake      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 bombers start going off, we won't compete with the noise from those spectacular fireworks ....!        

• April 4th, 2009    Katie's Food and Spirits   No Cover.   2830 Baker Rd, Dexter, Michigan   (734) 426-4707    Join us at favorite local watering-hole.   Good company, good bar food, drinks and easy-going environment.    Once again we'll be joined by our buddies The Flatbellys        

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 AT Hillrays DOT com
• cdandrsn AT umich DOT 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.