Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist Ray Cardwell is the newest addition to the Americana Vibes roster, label of the GRAMMY-award winning progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. Cardwell’s debut album on the label and fourth full-length release of his career, Singing Tree, is produced by Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters and is slated for release on January 31, 2025. The second single “Little Birdie” is available now continuing the exciting new chapter to Caldwell’s career. Listen HERE.
"Little Birdie" was originally composed and performed by the American bluegrass duo The Stanley Brothers and relesaed in 1972. Cardwell's rendition comes out of the gate with a fiery barn burner tempo ushered in by Garrett's fiddle. Cardwell's assertive, yet crystal clear vocal tone takes center stage augmented by resonating harmonies courtesy of his friend and collaborator, New Grass Revival banjoist & vocalist John Cowan.
Cardwell has received praise for his strikingly high vocal range and admired for his resemblance to Cowan. Cardwell finds a perfect home with Americana Vibes with his deep bluegrass roots run back to performing with his family band in the mid-1970s, progressing to noteworthy projects with New Tradition and creative detours in Hollywood and Nashville. In addition to his solo work, he also regularly records and tours with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Traffic) member Dave Mason.
Singing Tree’s title pays homage to a cherished childhood memory of a massive tree near Ray’s home in Missouri—known to him as "the singing tree"—under which he and his family would gather, shielded from the rain, to share songs much like those on his new record. Guests on the album will include banjo pickers Scott Vestal, Ryan Cavanaugh, and Andy Thorn; Cody Kilby on guitar, and John Cowan singing harmony vocals.
For more updates on Cardwell’s new era of musical storytelling and collaboration with Americana Vibes, please visit: http://www.raycardwell.com/
ABOUT RAY CARDWELL
Ray grew up in a family bluegrass band, his father Marvin Cardwell, was a multi-instrumentalist and Songwriter. Ray credits his father as the single most influence on his musical journey. “I’m a 6th generation musician. Our family has been a part of the Missouri Ozarks music world since the mid 1800’s”. His father fronted one of the first live music shows in Branson, MO at Jesse James Confusion Hill in the 1960s as "Marvin Cardwell and the Country Boys." Ray started singing at church and on his father's show at age three. In elementary school he started playing guitar and saxophone. Ray played banjo and sang in The Cardwell Family bluegrass band, they performed from ‘75-‘82 regionally on a variety of stages, including Silver Dollar City, Fort of the Osage, Dogpatch USA, and various concerts hosted by Ozarks musicologist, Max Hunter.
In the ‘80s Ray was developing interests outside the Family band and ventured into rock & reggae, working out of Springfield, MO and in the Midwest as a musician and front man, keyboardist and sax player. He relocated for a time to Hollywood, CA with Springfield based band Resonance and played saxophone for celebrated songwriter Jack Lee (The Nerves, and writer for Blondie, Pat Benatar, and Paul Young). In 1992 he met some bluegrass enthusiasts from Columbia, MO and started his return to bluegrass with the regional band, Slick Nickel. In 1994 he moved to Nashville as a member of the critically acclaimed, national touring bluegrass gospel band, New Tradition. He recorded two albums with the band--one for the Brentwood label (Old Time Gospel Jamboree) and one independently released (Following the Son). In mid '96 Ray left Nashville to raise a family back in Missouri and returned to college to finish a degree in Music Education. While attending Lincoln University he performed with National Honor Choirs at both Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
As a band and choral director he led students to several national competitions with high markings. While teaching he also played with an indie band called Squigglefish – a popular rock/blues/reggae power trio at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Rays return to bluegrass came in 2015 when Producer/guitarist Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Pat Flynn heard a demo of his originals. After meeting with Pat, Ray decided that it was time to return to his roots.
His Debut CD Tennessee Moon (2017) on Pinecastle Records was received with high praise with 10 songs charting on Bluegrass, Americana, Gospel and Folk Charts. Ray's sophomore CD Stand On My Own was released on May 24th 2019. “Time To Drive” debuted at #1 on Bluegrass Today’s Grassicana Chart. It remained on the charts top 15 for 6 months. “Alright” debuted at #1 on the Grassicana Charts and “Hurricane Rain at #2 Before it made its way to #1. The title track Stand On My Own debuted at #4 on the same chart.
His 3rd CD Just a Little Rain was released Sept 25, 2020 on Bonfire Music Group Records. “Born To Do” debuted at #1 in Sept/2020, “Take Me To the River” debuted at #13 August/2021, and "Standing On the Rock" made the top 10 on Bluegrass Today’s charts 9/17/2021.
In 2021, Ray was invited to be the Bass Player and vocalist with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Traffic) member Dave Mason. Ray currently tours and records with Dave Mason as well as pursing his own Recording Career. Ray currently lives in Jefferson City, MO where he enjoys spending time with his children and granddaughters.
