The Reverend Jesse Ray - WKTV Journal

The audience can expect a rockin’ good time as The Reverend Jesse Ray, accompanied by his Carolina Catfish band, treats attendees to new songs and fan favorites (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Recreation)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

Ray is back in Wyoming with new songs and authentic lyrics (Courtesy, Reverend Jesse Ray)

The Reverend Jesse Ray will take the stage at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. with his trademark rock ‘n’ roll sound. The audience can expect a rockin’ good time as Ray, accompanied by his Carolina Catfish band, treats attendees to new songs and fan favorites.

The majority of Tuesday’s Concerts in the Park show will consist of original tunes written by Ray and featuring the kind of authentic song lyrics his fans first fell in love with.

“My favorite record that I’ve ever recorded or written was Angry (2016), and I feel like I’ve gotten away from that raw, rock ‘n’ roll, fun, vintage-style energy,” says Ray.

However, the singer-songwriter has recently returned to writing those authentic lyrics. “I’m more uncompromising with the music that I want to make, and I think I’m writing some really fun stuff lately.”

In addition to Ray’s return to his musical roots is the return of Ray’s original drummer.

“Dingo is back in the fold and we’re playing together,” Rays says. “It feels magical.”

The importance of authenticity

When asked why he emphasizes authenticity in his music, Ray referred to a comment made by Justin Townes Earl, one of Ray’s favorite songwriters.

Ray’s music often reflect his life experiences (Courtesy, Aaron Rorick)

“[He said] you’re not supposed to write about things you don’t know anything about,” said Ray. “You can’t talk about it. You don’t understand it, you don’t feel it.”

Ray went on to say he ensures that even the cover songs he plays are pieces he can personally relate to – with one exception.

“‘Folsom Prison Blues’ isn’t really something that I completely identify with – that one’s just for fun,” said Ray with a laugh.

Ray’s newest album, ¡Adiós! (July 2024), dispensed with all hyperbole and cryptic lyrics, bringing a raw vulnerability to the album.

“When I did ¡Adiós! I was in a spot that I’d never been in before,” said Ray. “I was really upset, and I was a little unabashed in my songwriting, what I was singing about. For lack of a better way of putting it, I was pretty naked in ¡Adiós!.”

And though revealing his vulnerable side can be both easy and difficult, Ray’s fans say they relate to the honesty in his lyrics.

Practicing what he preaches

As with writing songs, Ray chooses to live life authentically. “I try to practice what I preach, live what I sing about.”

Characterized as an “old soul with a lead foot,” Ray can often be found zipping down the highway on his Harley or mugging for the nearest camera. But while Ray is known for going against the grain in music and in life, the musician said he does not nurture a reckless spirit or behavior.

The Reverend Jesse Ray performs at outdoor venue in Grand Haven (Courtesy, Jeff Brinn)

“I used to [live] in more of a destructive way; I used to live my life to my own detriment,” said Ray, adding that he has given up vices such as alcohol and cigarettes.

“I’m still going against the grain. I’m doing something that really isn’t supposed to work, but it’s out of this love for this life that I have right now. It’s not being rebellious for the sake of rebellion, but just living life and enjoying it.”

Bringing people together

Ray focuses on performing well so listeners enjoy the show (Courtesy, Reverend Jesse Ray)

The musician hopes fans walk away from his shows feeling good and having connected with other audience members.

“It’s fun to hear about people and different friend groups meeting up and getting to know each other,” Ray said.

“I really like bringing people together with music. I really appreciate people that come out, and I want to make it worth their while.”

To learn more about The Reverend Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, click here.

Concert details

Concerts in the Park performances are free and family-friendly.

Food trucks will offer delicious bites available for purchase. Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, grab some food, kick back and soak in the tunes!

The complete 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup can be found here.

The Reverend Jesse Ray sings with soul at Ramshackle Brewing in Jonesville (Courtesy, Paul Jensen)

By Deborah Reed

deborah@wktv.org

The Reverend Jesse Ray will wrap up the Concerts in the Park summer series with an Americana Rock N Roots experience at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.

Patty Matters – Food Truck will have gourmet burgers available to purchase during the concert, and attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the summer evening and live music.

The beginning of it all

The Reverend Jesse Ray has always enjoyed music, singing with his mom and grandparents as a child and learning to play the ukulele under the tutelage of his paternal grandfather (who Ray called “Gumpy”) at 8 years old.

“It’s the ultimate form of self-expression,” said Ray about music.

Ray moved on to guitar at age 12, when “Gumpy” showed him that guitar chords were quite similar to ukulele chords.

The Reverend Jesse Ray performs in Grand Haven (Courtesy, Jeff Brinn)

Ray went on to say that his mother accompanied him to bars in the evenings that same year so he could participate in open mic nights.

His music repertoire moved on to include playing trumpet in high school jazz band, marching band, and concert band. For his senior year of high school, however, Ray decided to join choir and play guitar in the jazz band instead.

“That was a riot,” said Ray. “I really liked trumpet, but I really wanted to keep singing.”

“I would do open mics as a senior three or four days a week, and then go sleep in my car during lunch period,” said Ray.

College brought experiences in street performance and an interest in rockabilly blues and roots music, leading Ray to start the high-energy band, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, in 2013.

A life pivot

When asked if he pursued a degree in music, Jesse responded, “I was a music major for one whole day. The next day I skipped all of my classes, went to the counselor, and said no, we’re going to focus on history.”

Ray said that he felt unable to focus on what he wanted to do musically while being a music major. With a love of history as well, Ray pursued that interest during his college tenure instead.

“I really like American History,” said Ray. “I’ve been fascinated by it since I was a kid, how things got to be the way that they are. You can understand a lot if you look into the past.”

However, “I kept music as my love, my passion,” said Ray.

Lyrics and secrets

Ray said that a lot of his music stems from personal experiences, and that he tends to hide things in his song lyrics, some of them personal.

“Some people get it, some people don’t,” said Ray. “Sometimes it’s a joke, and sometimes it’s something really deep and personal.”

Ray went on to say that music helped him process events and experiences in his life when he was younger.

“I write a song and put it out there, and then I feel a lot better when I walk away,” said Ray.

The Reverend: master of his own destiny

Always looking for new and creative musical opportunities, Jesse Ray brought forth The Reverend Jesse Ray, an Americana Rock N Roots experience.

But the moniker did not feel natural at first.

Coined “The Reverend” by a studio producer and then by band drummer Dingo, Ray said he didn’t care for the nickname. However, the nickname stuck as a way to set his music apart from other musicians bearing the name Jesse Ray.

“There were lots of Jesse Rays, but no Reverend Jesse Ray,” said Ray.

The Reverend Jesse Ray was born, and performs at venues all across Michigan.

Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish are also going strong with plans to release a new album Sept. 29th, and with at least 30 tour dates already in place across the United States.

To find out more about The Reverend Jesse Ray, visit: Facebook – The Reverend Jesse Ray and JRCC Band – The Reverend Jesse Ray.

To find out more about Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, visit: JRCC Band.