Ray has now passed

[LJ Eiffert]

Thanks Mr. Price for the friendship over the years.It's was great for You & I to have a #1 hit record on " My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You " that my late friend Lee Ross & Bob Wills wrote. RIP! Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

[Declan Byrne]

He will be missed by many a person. RIP

[J R Rose]

The all time Great of the Greatest. May his music live on forever. My prayers go out to his family. J.R.

[Sam White]

God bless Ray and his family. It is a sad day in the country music world.I'm talking real country music not that Country Rock junk. Anna and I have the DVD of the last Bread Ray Price,Merle Hagget,And Willie Nelson.That is one great DVD and we will be able to see them all the time.
Sam White

[Marco Schouten]

What sad news. Another legend has left us.
Wish strength to his family.

[Terry Wood]

A true Country Music Star!

Think of all the great steel players that worked with Mr. Price. Just some of the best ever!

Prayers for his family and countless friends.

Terry and Zane Wood

[Ron Taylor]

Ray had such an astonishing voice. Probably the best singer that I heard live. His voice was in the class with the greatest popular singers of the 20th century, who were, IMO, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The biggest dfference for Ray was that his voice did not decline with age, as everyone else's does, but actaully continued to improve all the way up into his 80's. Ray's voice had all of the best qualities: he could hit the high notes, he could hit the low notes, he had the power and dynamics to go soft or loud as needed, he had the phrasing, and he had a unique and wonderful smooth sound.

It was really almost shocking to discover that Ray Price could sing so well in his mid-80's. When Ray sang at his recent concerts, you would have no idea from the sound that he was past his 40's (when most singers would be in their prime). The closest other voice in popular styles that I would compare him to would be Sinatra, but Frank's voice went way downhill by the time he reached his 60's, even. By his 70's, Sinatra's shows were definitely hit or miss affairs, but even at his best, he was clearly in decline by that time.

In addition, its worth mentioing the connection that Ray felt to his fans. I'm sure he didn't earn much from his concerts, since his band was big and the venues were small. He said he kept traveling and playing shows because he wanted to keep briging his style of music out to people to hear. He seemed to bask in the glow of their appreciation. Also I watched hime several times out at the record table, talking with folks who waited to speak with him; he would stay until the end, signing every autograph, talking with all and posing for photos with fans, even. My heart went out to Ray as I saw how he handled the crowds, and waited patiently until the last fan had come by. What a class act.

Also had a lot of fun watching Jim Loessberg at work, up close!

[Ernest Tuttle]

Ray has been a favorite of mine for many years. I will miss his soft voice. I've always loved playing along with my steel with his CDs and records. I will deeply miss him and that great voice of his. My condolences to his family.

Ernest Tuttle

[Neil Lang]

The #1 reason I have sat behind a pedal steel for the past 48 years has passed on. His sound & music (with Jimmy Day & big "E") is the "core" of Tru-Country Music.
Rest in peace "Chief".....you will be sadly missed... but Never Forgotten!!
We are so glad we got to hear him & the Cherokee Cowboys "Live" twice. The first time with Jimmy Day and his Blue Darlin. What more can I say?

[Tiny Olson]

The Ray Price albums of the 60s, in particular, "Touch My Heart" were the main reasons I took up the steel guitar. It's sad news to think of Ray no longer being here with us but I really liked reading what Jack Strayhorn and Gary Preston wrote.

I was fortunate enough to meet him several times when we did shows with him in the 70s and 80s. A great, warm guy while being cool at the same time. Hearing him live was just awesome.

Rest in peace with The Lord now Ray Price. You meant so much to so many of us and you'll be missed.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

[Don Euton]

Ray Price, my favorite singer, was one of the greatest country singers of all times. I have watched him preform many times and have many of his country classic records and CD`s. He had the voice to sing like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra if he would have wanted to sing that style. A friend of the steel guitar, he had players like Don Helms, Jimmy Day, and Buddy Emmons in his band for many years. Those three players probably played on 75 to 80 pre cent of all his recording sessions where the steel guitar was used.
May God comfort his Family, Friend`s and Love Ones.

Don Euton

[Lee Dassow]

Ray was TOPS no doubt about it. A true legend. I bought two of his albums in the mid 60's, The Other Woman, And Touch My Heart. Great albums by a great singer. My condolences to his family. T.L.

[Stan Knowles NC]

THE WORLD OF STEEL GUITAR...HAS LOST ONE OF HISTORY'S
GREATEST PROMOTERS OF THE STEEL GUITAR!

RAY LOVED THE STEEL GUITAR....AND I'M ONLY GUESSING...
BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER COUNTRY ARTIST WHO USED
STEEL GUITARS IN VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING HE SANG AS MUCH
AS RAY DID!

WE LOST A GREAT SINGER AND FRIEND...BUT GOD BROUGHT
ANOTHER JESUS-BELIEVER HOME TO BE WITH HIM...FOREVER!

[Tommy Shown]

I was saddened to learn about Ray's passing. Ray was a great entertainer. One of my favorite songs of his was "TIME". He reminded me of the old crooners who sang with the big bands from the 30's and 40's. His voice was SMOOTH as buttermilk. He sounded better today. Gary, I agree with you brother. There were a lot of good people who worked with Ray. Johnny Bush, Darrell McCall, just to name a few. I named my steel after one of Ray's songs. Y'all have heard call my steel the "Other Woman". I miss you Ray. You and Janie are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tommy Shown

[Kenny Burford]

I know this sound selfish, but I feel like I am losing all my musical heros. I fear that when Willie and Hag are gone that it will be like someone turning out a light on what was once a bright shining street. I have the greatest respect for George Strait, Mark Chestnutt, Tracy Byrd and many other performers that perform traditional country music, but performers like Mr. Price, George Jones, Porter Wagoner, Buck Owens, Faron Young, Waylon & Willie, the Hag and the like were the people who solidified my love for country music. I can remember going to the drive-in with my Mom and Dad watching black white movies with Marty Robins, Mr. Price, Faron Young and so many other great country performers who performed on screen. I still remember my Mom and Dad taking me to see some many of Opry stars when they would appear in our area, and their taking me to Nashville in 1966 to attend the Opry. And I cannot count the Friday and Saturday nights I listened to so many of them over WSM on the Opry Show. My Mom even used to keep clippings of Mr. Prices appearances in KCK and KCMO even though we never got to attend the shows. Honestly with the passing of these individuals it's like losing someone in your family and I hate it.

[Kaare Festvog]

Greatest voice in country music. Legend who wasn't afraid to mix things up. His version of Night Life stretched the vision of what was country music. He broke so many boundaries - and a funny guy. There's a reason why he was the favorite of myself, my uncle, and my grandfather.