Artists:Ray Naylor

Ray Naylor is a performing songwriter, and all around entertainer. He has also managed other performing artists, consulted with musicians, hosted both radio and cable TV folk shows, and has produced and promoted concerts. Ray has also produced a folk internet radio show on Live365 called Fiddles & Frets.

Now Ray is focusing his energies on his own music. Ray Naylor’s own music or original songs range from funny to heartfelt. Ray Naylor’s style of music can best be classified as folk/country. Philadelphia’s “City Paper” termed Ray’s music “Alternative Folk”. Most important, Ray Naylor understands the responsibility of a performer to entertain and communicate with his audience. He speaks through his own songs we well as the music of others.

Ray has a special interest in keeping alive the songs of Phil Ochs, and is always ready to perform a program of Phil Ochs songs. In March 2003, Ray released his first CD, Slow Cooker. The CD included 12 original songs, and a cover of the Phil Ochs song, Pleasures of the Harbor. The CD is produced by Daoud Shaw, who has produced recordings for Van Morrison, and has played drums for artists such as Van Morrison, Etta James, and Jerry Garcia. Among the many fine players on the CD is former Sly Stone keyboard player, Kenny Kirby, former Huffamoose drummer, Erik Johnson, and Travis Wetzel, local fiddle/player extraordinaire (and Grand Old Opry performer). Ray is about to start recording his second CD.

Ray was honored to play at the 1997 Philadelphia Folk Festival and has played at many venues in the area including The Point, The Oxford Friends Folk Club, The Troubadour Folk Club, Biddle’s Cafe, The Jumping Cow, The Musical Lairs House Concert Series, and other venues.

Ray’s involvement in the local Philadelphia folk scene goes back 27 years. Ray Naylor managed several excellent performers including Susan Piper (formerly on Gene Shay’s Sliced Bread Records Label), Karen Deveau and Marina Vittoria. Ray has booked various venues including the former Biddle’s Cafe, which received Philadelphia Magazine’s 1996 award for Best Folk Venue. Ray’s goal at every performance is to have audience members leave the show saying "I am really glad I decided to come here tonight." And isn’t that what performing and entertaining is all about?.