17 Feb 2021
EMBRACE THIS LIFE Trailer
RAY ANDERSEN BIO
Ray Andersen grew up in West Orange, New Jersey in the home that legendary songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin lived and where some of the masterpiece, "Tapestry" album was written. Ray's love of music was apparent at an early age when he was introduced to The Beatles. Eventually the bug of songwriting hit him hard. Along the way, he went on to the famed American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, which further emboldened his love of the arts.
80s - STONE PONY HOUSE BAND
In the 80's, Ray went onto a very important journey in life as a member of the notable Asbury Park NJ, Stone Pony house-band, Cats On A Smooth Surface. Bruce Springsteen played with Ray and the band so much, he often raved to the press that they were his favorite group of musicians to jam with when he was off tour.
90S - ORIGINAL INDIE BAND, TOURING WITH MATCHBOX TWENTY
In 1995, Ray formed an indie rock band called Blue Van Gogh, and they released an album called Hi-Fi Junkie Sonata. The music was met with international acclaim. They toured throughout Germany as the opening act for matchbox twenty in April of 1998.
GUITARIST/KEYBOARDIST BACKING VOCALIST w/MEAT LOAF
He also toured for 3 years, with Meat Loaf as his guitarist/keyboardist/backup singer, appearing on The Tonight Show, The View, VH1's Storytellers and many more. Along with Bruce Springsteen, he's performed with Jon Bon Jovi, Chuck Berry & many others.
mr. RAY - MUSIC FOR KIDS
Ray has been writing and performing for kids from pre-K to 6th grade for 26 years as mr. RAY. The undertow & message of all his originals is Kindness, Anti-Bullying, Inclusion & Diversity. He’s appeared, performing his songs for kids, on Good Morning America and has been featured in the New York Times, Parenting magazine & the Wall Street Journal.
mr. RAY was 2013 & 2014's 10th best-selling kids' artist according to Billboard Magazine...and in 2020 his kids music streams were well over 1,000,000.
In 2009, Ray performed at the UN at an event called Seasons Of Non-Violence with 12 handpicked kid singers, singing his originals, as well as John Lennon’s Imagine & Give Peace A Chance. In 2015, he created the No Room For Bullies project – a series of songs and talks, after hearing about the suicide of Rutgers student, Tyler Clementi, who look his life after being shamed by another fellow student, for being gay. The Tyler Clementi Foundation endorsed & provided a testimonial for the entire project.
MUSIC FOR NATIONAL TV COMMERCIALS
He's recorded music for many national TV commercials, including twelve Publishers Clearing House commercials. He has a loving live tribute to the masterful music and theatrics of David Bowie, with an 8-piece all-star line-up of some of New Jersey’s finest singers and musicians. Also performed are songs Bowie produced and co-wrote with artists like Queen, Lou Reed, Mott the Hoople and other choice glam songs from other artists.
UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
In January 2021, Ray became an Official United Nations NGO (non-governmental) Representative of Pathways To Peace, on behalf of his musical work and message of kindness, anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, with children...an ambassador of peace.
