"PURE CHRISTMAS" CD REVIEW

ST. JOHN'S
RIVER CITY BAND

Ray as guest guitarist with St. John's River City Band, Sam
Fricano conductor.  Chet Atkins played with this band at
Carnegie Hall.  Ray has played three concerts with them.
Look for Ray as guest artist with the Pops Orchestra in your city!

Ray hanging out with Nato Lima. Nato was a guest on the Johnny Carson show 35 times!

Ray playing with Les Paul at the Iridium in New York!

"Summer Daze…End of the Road" Review
by Palmer Moore, Ohio Fingerstyle Club!

Hands down, Ray Cummins is the most practiced and accomplished "note-for-note" Chet style guitarist in the world. He has dedicated his whole life to listening to and emulating his (and, our) great hero Chet Atkins. He also was a personal friend of the late master of finger style guitar, and learned a lot of his playing techniques first hand - with Chet's blessing. And, because of this dedication, Ray has mastered the style, sound, clarity and most importantly - the feel of Chet's music. And, he is quite the song writer, as well.

In a nutshell, "Summer Daze" is a great tune - a well written one with a wonderful flowing yet simple "humm-able" melody line. However, it is Ray's performance embellishments that make this recording a candidate for a Grammy in my humble opinion. He "laces" this straightforward little melody (that even I can play) with brilliant impeccably played Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed runs, arpeggios, and licks, and some of his own including his "double-stop" creation.

On listening to it for the very first time it will have you humming along and wanting to pick up your guitar to play along - only to quickly discover that he has licks in it that only a true master of this sport can play - and, those that only Ray Cummins can play that cleanly.... And, to sound exactly like Chet... whew...

The only negative on this album is that it only has two songs on it. But, he is only asking SIX BUCKS for it... And, the other tune "End of the Road" is a beautiful single note line song, as well. Hey, still worth every penny of it...

Performed by: Ray Cummins "Summer Daze" - written and produced by Ray Cummins "End of the Road" - written by LA Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons, produced by Ray Cummins and Randy Hauser

Photos, Ray and Friends over the years

Ray playing Chet's Hascal Hale guitar for Tommy Jones back in the 70's. This guitar is in the Smithsonian.

Ray as guest artist with the Symphony.

Ray doing a recent TV show.

Ray with good friend Tony Rose, Indiana Fingerpickers.

Ray and Chet Atkins, quite a few years ago.

Melody - she is the best fingerpicker!

Ray backstage before a Pops Symphony concert.

Ray getting ready to do TV show. Hascal's brother, Tom Haile looking on.

Ray and Louis Nye doing TV show.

Ray and Melody, 1991.

Ray and good friend Ed Powers at the CAAS on the Main Stage in 1996.

Ray, Melody, Blues guitarist Lonnie Mack and Dumpy Rice doing outside gig.

Roy Clark playing rhythm for Ray on Dizzy Fingers. Hascal Haile looking on. Both playing Haile guitars.

Ray playing guitar with Prismatone Pickup. Built by friend Mike Zimmerman.

Ray with Mom and Dad at CAAS 2004.