This concert was presented by the Long Island country radio station My Country 96.1 FM, where all the country artists shared the stage, accompanying themselves on acoustic guitars. Ray was joined by Canaan Smith, Drew Baldridge and Jerrod Niemann. DJ Deuce was spinning records over the course of the evening, and engaging the fans in the show.
As the country singers took turns singing their songs, Ray performed second (following Drew Baldridge). He opened with his chart-topping radio single “Think a Little Less,” which was an infectious performance, as the audience sang along with him. Drummer Andrew Beselica played percussion for him. “Thank you for making this song our second No. 1,” he told his country fans on Long Island.
“Are you having a good day? he asked the audience, and the answer was a resounding “yes.” He dedicated the second song to his late grandfather, “Real Men Love Jesus,” which ironically enough was his sophomore single on country radio. His delivery was crisp and haunting, yet beautifully sung. It is safe to say that his grandfather would’ve been proud by his brevity to showcase his vulnerability to the crowd.
“Thank you so much for having us out tonight,” he said, and introduced his brand new single to the fans, where he showed great control in his voice, especially when he sang the lyrics: “I’m trying to get to you.”
He closed his four-song set with his breakthrough radio single, the chart-topper “Kiss You in the Morning,” which he incorporated as an audience sing-along towards the end. “Alright, New York. Sing it with me,” he said.
The Verdict
Overall, Michael Ray was superb at the Pennysaver Amphitheater in Farmingville, New York. He managed to put on a high-quality acoustic country show on Long Island, where he shared the stage with his country musician friends. His set earned an A rating. Bravo.
