Ray Francis Cover
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Band: Ray Francis
Release: The Country Way
Format: LP Album
Year: 1973
Label: Marathon Music
Genre: Country Music
This is the first solo record from Ray Francis. He had recorded two records previously under the name “Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills”.
Tracks
Side one:
01. Grazing in the greener pastures
02. Drinking champagne
03. Deep water
04. I’ll be there
05. Happy tracks
06. Running gun
Side two:
07. Restless woman
08. If you leave me
09. Son of hickory holler’s tramp
10. You can take the boy out of the country
11. Four in the morning
12. Black jack
Cover Photo by: John Haslip
This debut solo record charted number one on radio. From coast to coast, the first single “Restless Women” did very well especially on the east coast. This song was an original that Ray had co-wrote and was not sure if it would make it on the album, but the record label liked it and rightfully so.
Ray had told me how he first heard it on the radio while driving home on the 401. He pulled over. He called his record company to see if they knew it was being played. He was informed that it was tracked and being played all over the country. The musician is always the last to know, and this is the perfect example. S. Beaulieu.
Liner Notes:
In a world of music, there is the entertainer and there is the singer, Ray Francis is both.
Ray Francis the entertainer, is a well known name throughout Southern Ontario…where he has been performing since the late 1950’s. He formed his first band, The Whippoorwills which soon gained the reputation of the best country band throughout the area. The group often appeared on “Opry” shows and for awhile the boys toured the U.S.A.
Ray was offered a job playing drums and fronting the Gary Buck band, so he moved his wife and son to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Being constantly on the road and away from his family wasn’t the life for Ray so after a few months he moved back to Southern Ontario taking a job outside the music business. However his love of entertaining soon became strong again, so he formed another band and with his teenaged son, Mike, as lead guitarist. Shortly after Mike was offered a full time job in the music industry, so the band was dissolved. Ray joined another local group, The Rancheros (1973). The band enjoys a great success and is constantly in demand.
As one of the best “Front men” in the business today, Ray is always in demand to M.C. and his impersonations are always a hit of any show. As an entertainer he is superb.
This is Ray’s first album and listening to his beautiful rendition of “If you leave me tonight I’ll cry”, you’ll hear Ray the ballad singer. He’s equally at home with Country as witness, “Running Gun”. Listen to Ray the composer as he does his own “Restless Woman”. In face just buy this album and give yourself a treat.
I’m proud to have had this chance to introduce you to my friend, Ray Francis… all ‘round great person…husband…father…singer…composer and most of all entertainer.
Marilynne Caswell, M.C. Talent Agency. London Ontario.
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Chatham Music Archive 