A Florida native, Ray shared the stage with country band LANco, as well as country stars Chris Lane, Canaan Smith and headliner Chris Young.
He treated the fans to his version of the mid-tempo Big & Rich tune “Run Away With You,” which displayed his talent as a songwriter, especially since he co-penned the song with John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich. It was refreshing to hear his new single “Think A Little Less,” which was pure ear candy.
A Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Ray changed the pace of his show by singing his inspirational ballad “Real Men Love Jesus,” which was his sophomore single. His version of “Dust on the Bottle” was excellent and memorable, and David Lee Murphy would be proud of his bold rendition.
Ray closed his set with his chart-topping spitfire single “Kiss You In the Morning,” as patriotic beach balls were bouncing over the crowd. “Long Island, my name is Michael Ray, god bless you guys. We can’t wait to come back,” he said, prior to wishing everybody a Happy 4th of July holiday, and he thanked the audience for allowing them to hang with them.”We love you, thank you so much,” he concluded.
The Verdict
Overall, Michael Ray was able to deliver at the Pennysaver Amphitheater in New York, with a high-adrenaline performance. His entire band showcased a great deal of talent as well, which is comprised of Lucas Chamberlain on lead guitar, Kurt Ozan on guitar, Jonathan Sepulveda on bass and Andrew Beselica on drums. Ray’s energy level was infectious, and his live set garnered an A rating. It is only a matter of time before he starts headlining his own shows and tours.
