Radio Sydney

Inspire Your Community With Carl Ray’s Heartfelt Tribute To Mentor Johnny Nash

“WRITERS: JOHNNY NASH;RAY WAS MENTORED BY THE LATE JOHNNY NASH, WHO GAVE HIM HIS START. RAY TAKES NASH’S MILLION-SELLING 1972 REGGAE-TINGED POP CHART TOPPER, ADDS HIS OWN LYRIC CONTRIBUTIONS AND REINTERPRETS THE TEMPO TO BECOME A COUNTRY ROCKER. INTRIGUING. AND THE MESSAGE OF HOPE IS TIMELESS.”-ROBERT K. OERMANN

“What a rockin’ new spin on a timeless and incredible classic! The vocals just seem to hug you. This is exactly what the world needs right now! It feels like Carl Ray tuned his heart to the healing the nation is seeking… this song should be played everywhere! This would’ve made Johnny Nash very proud.” – Danica Hart, Chapel Hart

“Country music singer/songwriter Carl Ray adds his signature voice and amazing songwriting talents to bring us his version and refreshing tribute to Johnny Nash’s 1972 classic hit “I Can See Clearly Now.” This is a guaranteed chart-topping single and Johnny Nash would be proud!”- Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times

“Carl Ray’s tribute to artist Johnny Nash is a deliciously country-fried version of a classic reggae hit. Ray demonstrates that genres can be pushed as far as the imagination will allow.” – Matt Bailey, The Music Universe

“Here at Country Music News International we talk to the people you need to listen to… and you need to listen to this – a fresh new version by Carl Ray of a song that has been the soundtrack to so many lives – I Can See Clearly Now!” – Nigel Sharpe, Country Music News International

“Carl Ray has a pure quality to his voice. He has made Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” fresh as the day it was written, but with his own special touch. A perfect tribute to Johnny’s biggest hit and now Carl Ray has made it a smash hit again!” – Ward Bond, host of LCW Music Edition

“‘I Can See Clearly Now’ is a message of hope. In the darkest times of our lives, there is always light that can overshadow and overwhelm that darkness. This song is that light and that is why it has stood the test of time. Our greatest days are ahead of us. Our attitudes truly determine our altitudes. Let’s spread this message of hope like our lives depend on it-because it does.” – Carl Ray

Country music singer/songwriter Carl Ray’s latest single, “I Can See Clearly Now” serves as a breath of fresh air and hope while remaining true to the classic masterpiece originally sung by his mentor, Johnny Nash. During their friendship, Nash and Ray agreed that they would one day record a record together. Turning back the hands of time to fulfill this promise, Ray found the inspiration to pay homage to his musical hero after Nash’s passing in 2020 while witnessing the hardships the world has faced over the last year. Ray’s upbeat version of this classic is a true sensation that delicately weaves new life into the storyline. The tune is laced with his tenor appeal which has been often compared to Nash. Ray’s rendition of “I Can See Clearly Now” single will surely become a household favorite once again, having us all singing, dancing, and looking past obstacles to dream a brand new dream for our world.

“I Can See Clearly Now” is available to download and stream on all digital services and was exclusively premiered by Nashville.com!

“Johnny Nash is an American treasure. Nash was a great father, son, and husband. I was privileged to have this legend open up the treasure chest of his heart to me,” shares Carl Ray. “He was a friend, mentor, big brother, and sometimes a pain in the butt. We sang in church together, we prayed for this country together, went hunting, fishing, and often sang underneath the Texas stars. Nash even taught me how to write songs and more importantly, how to ride a horse! I hope this tribute makes him proud, as I know he is listening from above.”

“I Can See Clearly Now” achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box charts. It also reached number one in Canada and South Africa.

Guided by Johnny Nash, Carl Ray has been performing and writing music for years and his passion shines throughout every song he creates. Ray puts even more heart into “I Can See Clearly Now” as a way to thank the person who helped him get his start in music. Ray has a unique experience of not only being a country music entertainer but a co-host on “Atlanta Live” with his wife, Gail Williams. He has released multiple singles including “I Stand With This Country” which was released in 2020 and went to #1 in Cash Box 2021.

Ray has shared the same bill with Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Jason Aldean, Wade Hayes, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, The Del McCoury Band among others.

He has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Billboard, US News and World Report, Legacy Magazine, Green Card Magazine (Paris, France), Richmond Times, and recently on Newsmax, Rolling Stone, Dispatch, Denver Post, and many other print and major online outlets.

Ray has also recorded with The Queen of Bluegrass Rhonda Vincent, David Ball, and Johnny Nash. Ray has also penned several songs for his mentor Johnny Nash which Nash recorded on his last album “Here Again.”

To keep up with future events and everything Carl Ray, follow the social channels linked below.

Today, multi-award-winning and platinum-selling artist Hillsong UNITED announced the release of their brand new digital single “Know You Will.” Out now with an accompanying lyric video, “Know You Will” serves as an anthem of hope for uncertain times written by UNITED’s Joel Houston, Ben Hastings and Dylan Thomas.
“‘Know You Will’ speaks into the nature of where we’ve been for the last 18 months – uncharted territory,” says UNITED’s Joel Houston. “It has been a crazy year for the world in a lot of ways. Faith can sometimes seem like a distant thing, but it becomes real when everything that you didn’t realize you were dependent on gets thrown on its head.”

Adds Houston, “We may look at a circumstance and see the impossible, but God is good at the impossible. Even when there’s a lot of if’s, but’s, and doubts, the story of God is that He’s always made a way. It’s often unexpected, it’s different to how we think it should be, and how it should look. We know though, that through it all, God’s sovereignty has not been shaken and His plan is what will prevail through the middle of everything. He has proven Himself good so many times before and it’s no different now.”

Undisputedly one of the genre’s most influential artists in the history of contemporary Christian music, Hillsong UNITED continues to impact millions of lives across the globe. The group has sold over 6.5 million albums globally, garnered 3.3 billion worldwide career streams to date, and remains the No. 1 Christian artist on all social media platforms with over 13 million fans combined.

For more information, visit www.hillsongunited.com or @hillsongunited on all social platforms.

About Hillsong UNITED

Hillsong UNITED is a multi-award-winning, platinum-selling artist whose chart successes (repeatedly no. 1 on Billboard’s Christian charts and up to #5 on Billboard 200) are only bested by the millions of lives they’ve impacted across the globe. Reporting over 50 million people singing from the Hillsong catalogue songs every Sunday, the modest band born from a youth ministry out of Hillsong Church in Australia, touts a reach of over 10 million across all major social network platforms to date, including 2.1 billion minutes garnered from YouTube viewers. Comprised of an evolving, eclectic mix of musicians and songwriters, the band is led by Joel Houston and Taya, names that have become synonymous with Christian radio, dominating airwaves with every new release. Their last four studio albums have each topped the USA Christian chart, with “Zion” and “Empires” charting no. 1 (“Zion” recently also went Gold in the US); “Oceans,” written by Houston and band member Matt Crocker recently went triple platinum in the States, counting 200+ million streams and reigning on top of the Christian songs chart for a record 54 weeks.

In studio, on tour or at home, Hillsong UNITED is committed to writing songs that speak truth, create a unique sound and connect people everywhere with God, evident by the success they’ve seen globally. With over 50 countries and six continents visited, Hillsong UNITED continues to sell out arenas and stadiums around the world, including sold-out nights at the Forum, STAPLES Center and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, The Toyota Center, Oracle Arena, Air Canada Arena, American Airlines Arena (Miami and Dallas), and Red Rocks to scratch the surface. Hillsong UNITED functions from the deep understanding that everything they do is an expression of a really extraordinary God doing what only He can do, through really ordinary people.

New single from rising artist and record producer ELYAZ! 100% self-made, with a delicate touch for Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering he achieves total creative control and freedom, combined with his guitar playing, piano and voice. Extra: Official Video written and directed by the artist!

The artist has received over 2 million streams on Spotify and 1.5 million streams on YouTube.

The Place Where We Belong – The Story

The pages of an old book tell the tale of a lost seadog on a quest to find a faraway emotion. A hidden treasure map and a long-forgotten spyglass will guide him on a journey to rediscover the strength and beauty of a lost love. At the foot of a waterfall, a mysterious woman comes forth with a pyramid in her hands bringing a message held among the memories of an ancient library.

The UK’s rising songstress Holly Rhoades turns in a song of reflective and personal poignancy, as her explanation reveals. “Every time I write I use it as ‘therapy’ but this song in particular resonates the hardest. It’s my most vulnerable song to date where I was in a specific headspace and time in my life where I felt stuck, trapped and part of a game but it was time to cut that cord and “Done”. Was my way of doing that.” On release now through all major outlets via Horus Music.

Country artist Will Day is proud to announce the release of a new track entitled ‘Simple Then’, featuring fellow powerhouse country artist Brooke Schubert. ‘Simple Then’ is a song of love and heartbreak. It tells the story of a couple who fell in love at a young age but as time goes by, they drift apart. Early in their relationship, there were no complications, life was simple, fun and carefree. The boy breaks the girl’s heart, and they soon realise that there is no fairy-tale ending.

“When Jared (my producer) and I wrote ‘Simple Then’ we knew straight away that we wanted it to be a male/female duet, it was just about finding the right fit. In my opinion, Brooke has one of the best voices in the country, so we were stoked when she agreed to come on board. It was wonderful working with such a professional. It’s a special track and Jared, Brooke and I are really happy with how it’s turned out.” – Will Day.

This song comes hot on the tail of previous supercharged single ‘Countrified’ which enjoyed solid airplay on Australian country radio when it was released in April, reaching #12 on the KIX Country Hottest 20 Charts and remaining in those charts for 5 consecutive weeks. The song was added to full rotation on iHeartCountry Australia and the music clip was spun on CMT Australia. Gigs followed, with Will performing at Brisbane’s Town and Country Music Festival and up in Rockhampton to a full capacity crowd for Round Up at CMC Rocks with rave reviews.

‘Simple Then’ is the third single from Will’s upcoming debut album ‘Countrified’ due for release on 23rd July. This release is in the lead up to a national tour, which will reach every state in the country and will include a performance at major country music festival, Savannah in the Road at Mareeba, in October alongside such artists as Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daly, The Wolfe Brothers, Brad Cox, Casey Barnes, Southbound and many more. With Will’s immense passion of touring means that he is excited to bring his live show to Australian audiences, especially after taking a year off while the world worked through the Covid-19 pandemic.

With a strong touring ethic, Will is constantly a crowd favourite, delivering a high energy show. He has opened for the likes of Morgan Evans, Shannon Noll, Icehouse, Diesel, The Whitlams, Hoodoo Gurus, The Baby Animals, The Black Sorrows, Col Finle y and The Viper Creek Band while also appearing at some of Australia’s most iconic country music festivals, including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival and Gympie Music Muster.

Will is now gearing up for his Brisbane album launch on Saturday 24th July, followed by a hometown album launch in Goondiwindi Saturday 31st July.

In other news, Will has entered into a long-term partnership with premier Australian brand Ringers Western who have been announced as Will’s official wardrobe sponsor.

With a loyal fanbase, a genuine gift of storytelling, combined with compelling vocals and the ability to connect with a crowd, Will Day is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier rising artists and one that will undoubtedly be around for many years to come.

Following on from her uplifting single ‘Midnight Train’, is a high-octane track ‘American Pie’ from country music darling, Anita Spring. Co-written with Mark Narmore from Muscle Shoals, Spring’s latest single and video is a saucy tribute to the people and places she experienced when living and recording in Nashville.

“My new song American Pie is my way of saying thanks to everyone I met in Nashville” explains Spring. “Everyone I collaborated with – and most of all – how much I wanted to stay in their company” she gushes. “This song is my way of acknowledging how special Music City really is.”

The first time listening to the track, you can’t help but notice a new freedom of expression from Spring. Her time spent in Nashville propelled her to indulge in delicious licks with an edge. A new sound for the 2020 APRA Song of The Year nominee, who appears to have graduated into a new evolution of songwriting with a pronounced pluck in her voice and a spicy new flavour to her lyrics.

Spring is taking her distinctive talent into new global territory. “It was always my dream to be in Nashville as a songwriter” enthuses Spring. “I had the opportunity to do this late in 2018. I met the most extraordinary people who have achieved so much in music, who have multiple Grammys. I learned so much from them!” she says, excitedly.

Co-produced by Steve Welton-Jaimes and David Hemming, with engineering by Pete Keppler (David Bowie, Katy Perry, Bonny Raitt) ‘American Pie’ has a distinct international flavour, a sound that will not only appeal to country listeners but resonate with music lovers who love seductive energy and cheeky lyrics. “Give me that sound cause I won’t leave until you turn around” sings Spring. “I ain’t budging, I’m dead on my back …do you like it like that?” she purrs. “See you squirming, that look in your eye, I can’t wait to try, American Pie!”

The accompanying video was shot by Apollo Films in a chalet in Springbook National Park in Brisbane. Directed by Spring, the clip offers viewers a retro vibe with 70s style animations overlaying her on-camera performance.

Spring’s talent has been recognised by local music icons, having been personally invited to support and tour nationally with artists including Tommy Emmanuel, The Robertson Brothers and Christine Anu. Next up for this intriguing songstress, is her appearance on the ICONS Tour, paying tribute to Olivia Newton-John, offering audiences her rendition of Olivia’s greatest hits. Spring will also be lending her backing vocal talents on the upcoming American Trilogy Tour – a tribute show to ‘The King’ Elvis Presley.

A semi-finalist in the 2020 International Songwriters Competition, Spring continues to evolve her craft from jaunty tunes to raunchy pop-rock tracks. ‘American Pie’ is evidence of her diversity as a songstress and her unwavering talent.

A topical parody or acute observation 🙂 “I want to be like Gladys Berijiklian. After watching a weekend of news, this song interrupted my sleep and awoke me. I recorded it that morning 26/6/21 and created a video. The song will is hitting streaming services in the next 24 hours and a video is available.

What the world needs now is love and unity 🌐☮️❤️‍🔥 Listen to the words Rasta Phil say…

We live in a time like no other and the world needs this song more than ever! With the world at a standstill for almost two years and civil uproar overtaking even the most advanced societies, everyone surely has learned “livin’ ain’t easy”. This track features the vocals of New Edition’s, Ralph Tresvant, and was produced by Ali Durrani–frequent musical collaborator of comedian/talk show host, Lilly Singh.

Philip Thomas, popularly known as “Rasta Phil” was the mentor, co-producer, and advisor to many famous musical groups through the ’80s and ’90s, including New Kids on the Block, New Edition, Marky Mark, and the Funky Bunch, and more. This talented Trinidadian-born musical genius started his musical career as a popular local DJ in Boston and soon became a force in the local music scene. His originality and positive lyrical content are well known internationally along with his acting and production work. Over the years Rasta Phil has successfully nurtured close ties with a broad network of famous actors, artists, producers and directors in both Hollywood and the Canadian entertainment industry.

“Livin’ Ain’t Easy (feat. Ralph Tresvant) – Radio” is available from Rasta Phil Entertainment through Slammin Media and is distributed by Believe Distribution.

Today, Lady Gaga released her special edition Born This Way The Tenth Anniversary album via Interscope Records that features the 14 original songs from the Born This Way album from 2011 in new packaging, along with six reimagined versions of songs from the album created by artists representing and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community.

In celebration of the launch, the final two surprise covers are revealed to be The Highwomen (ft. Brittney Spencer & Madeline Edwards) with their reimagined version of “Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)” and Ben Platt with his reimagined version of “Yoü and I,” accompanied by a video that he has shared in honor of covering the classic.

The Tenth Anniversary celebrations began with Lady Gaga marking the 10-year anniversary of the Born This Way album and its legacy in West Hollywood, where she received keys to the city and a proclamation naming May 23rd as “Born This Way Day”. Haus of Gaga will celebrate the album release with Paper Magazine and Club Quarantine this Saturday June 26th at 6PM PST/9PM EST. The very special night benefitting the Born This Way Foundation will feature DJ Sets and a special musical performance by Big Freedia. All details can be found HERE.

In addition, the Born This Way Foundation is working closely with New York and Youth Pride, sending goods and monetary donations along with notes of kindness to LGBTQIA+ centers across the United States to assist in their Pride celebrations. Lady Gaga and Versace have collaborated for a Pride collection in celebration of 10 years of Born This Way where a portion of sales will be donated to the Born This Way Foundation in continuation of the brand’s allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. Lady Gaga and Versace have also partnered together with Omaze to support the Born This Way Foundation to give a fan the chance to win the exact replica of the limited-edition Atelier Versace Leather jacket Lady Gaga wore on her legendary 2012 Born This Way Ball world tour. Learn more at Omaze.com/Versace.

‘Wasted Time’ was never intended to be about the current situation living with Covid, but instead a cheeky overview of how we as people “will have a go at anything” even if it is a waste of time.

“I personally had many of these moments, thinking do I really know what I am doing, but in true Aussie form keep on going until I realise it’s just one more example of a waste of time”, Tony said. “The chorus came from a mate who is also a fellow muso. He is as they say, “an ideas man”, but never seems to follow through. Then Covid came along and it seemed to fit the situation where we had so many people sitting around wasting time, including a lot of my mates in the music industry.” ‘Wasted Time’ has a catchy feel to it with a solid tempo, just a feel good song.

You could say that Tony Kennelly possesses something of an eagle eye view on the Australian music scene. For more than 45 years he has observed, been witness to, and played his own part in its ever-changing landscape. Today, 2021 Australia is the platform from which the now 63 year old country/folk singer-songwriter releases his latest single ‘Wasted Time’, taken from his forthcoming album ‘Battlegrounds’. Tony’s first single, ‘Leave The Gate Open’ was released twelve months ago. With the drought behind him but never forgotten, and then Covid-19, Tony unable to tour, decided to wait until now to release his next single. Well worth the wait.

There’s a story here. It begins way back in the Sydney suburbs of Hunters Hill in the 1970’s and from there, meanders across miles of the Australian landscape, from town to farm, acre to acre and stage to stage. The ongoing constant in Tony’s story has been the music. He comes from a long line of hearty, music-loving folk and the tales and traditions of gathering together, performing and storytelling are rife throughout his songwriting style.

Growing up in Sydney’s affluent suburbs as the son of less well-off parents, Tony learnt how to carve his way through school and the inevitable challenges of youth. His peers were the children of wealthy Sydney folk, who didn’t immediately take to Tony’s place in their neighborhood, but surrounded by a family that celebrated love, song and gathering together for regular social events, Tony found solace in the music and turned naturally to songwriting.

By the age of 16 Tony had begun to come together with other musicians to create their own early original ‘garage bands’. His cousin played a large role in Tony’s early musical endeavors, being a full time musician and having numerous connections within the industry. One early band Karma played several gigs with some success, including a 1974 ‘National Pepsi Pop Poll’ concert at the Sydney Opera House to 2800 people. A later band The Mongrels / The Idle Poor, carved out a solid fan base around the Sydney region and Tony’s part in the music scene at that time meant that he witnessed firsthand the birth of numerous iconic Australian rock bands including Midnight Oil, ACDC, Cold Chisel and more.

Tony’s musical journey continued for a time with a brief solo career performing around the Sydney music scene, and his love for alt country forming the major basis for his sets. Over time, with six nights a week spent on the stage and a fulltime job in construction taking up his days, Tony settled into a simpler life, marrying his beloved wife Pauline, starting a family and continuing with his construction business and in the latter of the years, moved to a cattle property on the NSW tablelands. Living and surviving through years of drought, Tony and his wife decided to sell their property and stock for a somewhat easier life and moved to the mid north coast of NSW, still with a few acres and room to move. Twelve weeks after moving into their new home Tony and his wife found themselves in the middle of the worst flood ever and were surrounded by water. From one extreme to the other!

Tony’s time away from the music industry as a cattle and sheep farmer and ‘man of the land’ has brought him back around to his song writing. With his own children now grown, his focus shifted to the country music scene once more. Meeting other like-minded musicians whilst playing at some of the country’s most iconic pathways and events, including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, led Tony into several years of writing and recording. His friends and fellow comrades in the industry include numerous performers such as Shane Nicholson, who has helped produce Tony’s latest material at Sound Hole Studios.

Tony’s latest album ‘Battlegrounds’ is not his first. His debut ‘Hittin’ The Wall’ was written back in 2016, but never saw the light of day, with one natural disaster after another taking its toll on Tony’s farm and livelihood. With numerous fights against the droughts of recent years, combined with his active role as one of the nation’s firefighters, Tony’s experiences have left him with a solid understanding of the power of our natural and volatile landscape.

At this stage in his career, Tony possesses a sense of musicianship and songwriting that is the envy of those who have age and experience yet to gain. He’s been there, done that, and seen the whole story unfold. His ethos behind the music is based in a pure love for the songs and with an appreciation for the old folk tradition, there’s a real story and message behind his work. It’s something of an honour to listen to him talk about where it all comes from and ultimately where it is heading. As he reflects on the basic message behind it all “What we all strive for is to be happy, loving, not wanting for much, having enough money to be able to do what we would like, give back to the community and country, care for all, don’t be judgmental, never stop loving your family and friends and keep writing wonderful songs!”

And who can argue with that?