Biography

If you asked singer/songwriter Doug Gray to describe himself, he would sum it up in just a few words…”broncs, bulls, bikes and rock & roll”.  Born and raised in Southeast Arkansas near Dewitt, Gray grew up on a farm where riding horses was an everyday occurrence.  His family raised registered Black Angus which gave him the opportunity to start riding calves and later bulls at a very young age.  Breaking his arm for the first time when he was only six years old by hanging up to a horse, becoming a rodeo cowboy was just part of his upbringing.

Fast forward fifteen years and Doug Gray’s life started to head in a much different direction.  Deciding to hang up his lasso and pick up a guitar, he began writing about his memories as a cowboy.  Wasting no time on his newfound dream, in 1997 Doug completed his first album titled “Rebel and A Bluesman”, an upbeat honky-tonk blues project which he proudly took to Nashville, Tennessee to shop around.  Although Music City was not too hip on his ideas, rejection wouldn’t stop Gray’s drive and commitment to make a way for the world to experience his unique musical style.  After all, he had a story to tell and he was going to tell it one way or the other.  Gray’s positive attitude was apparent when he said, “Oh well, what the hell…I’ve never been one to just quit!”

Gray remembers talking with Willie Nelson one morning in Little Rock, Arkansas about his music career.  Nelson said, “Doug, let me tell you three things to do.  Do your music the way you want it to sound and be yourself.  Second, have fun.  Oh, and third…don’t let Nashville steal your dreams.”  Gray has always tried to keep that in the back of his mind and put it to use when creating new songs for his projects.

Taking Nelson’s advice with him, Doug returned to Arkansas, kept writing, and soon discovered that technology would be the answer to his problems.  “Thank God for the Internet”, Gray proclaimed, and still does to this day.  His first album was sold online and he has since completed two more…”Redneck Hooterville” and “Confederate Son” with another in the works.

Doug always says that for him, “writing a song is the best way for me to express my feelings, thoughts, and dreams.”

 

Music

Click the ITunes or CDBaby logos to listen and buy music.

Video

Performances

Feb 26, 2011, 7:30 pm – Ozark Folk Center.  Tickets $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.  Contact the Ozark Folk Center @ 870-269-3851 for tickets and information.

March 19,2011, 8:00 pm – Euraka Springs Auditorium.  Tickets $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.  Contact Euraka Springs Auditorium @ 479-253-7788 for tickets and information.

Contact

Please email Doug at: GrayVarnadore@yahoo.com

To contact Doug directly please call: (501) 650 – 4324