Kelly Ray Davis Will Rule The World!
Written by Paul on March 4, 2008 – 5:22 amWe can’t tell where Kelly Ray Davis is more popular, in Huntington, West Virginia where he calls home, or here in Nashville. Either way, his popularity has been nothing short of explosive.
Together with guitarist/co-singer Rodney Crisp, Bassist Bill Fraley, and drummer Greg Fletcher, Kelly came to town to play the Supercell of Giving benefit concert for the Red Cross. To put it mildly, when he got up to play, the place went wild.
His sound is a mix of all the best elements of country, rock, southern rock, and even bluegrass. The fusion of all those musical influences allows Kelly to do something that others only say they do - create his own unique sound. He can go from the most traditional country you’ve ever heard, to the hardest rocking country you never thought you’d hear.
At the benefit his musical prowess was on display as he brought the crowd to it’s feet. Even the local news report had shots of girls dancing and people having fun while he was on stage tearing it up. He’s a star on stage. He has the “x” factor that so many in the industry talk about an artist needing.
This last year we’ve watched as Kelly went from ‘just another artist’ making trips to Nashville, to being a well known published songwriter, all over town (Kelly is signed to Mike Kinnemon/Music Central Publishing). From doing shows and playing songs with Musik Mafia players like Shannon Lawson and James Otto, to writing songs with mega hit songwriter Larry Cordle, to having one of his own songs cut by Grammy winner Randy Kohrs, Kelly is on fire here in Nashville. And it’s only going to get better as now the labels are staring to take notice of what he has going on. And I’ve said it before, they’d be stupid not to.
In his home town and in other parts of the country, he’s no less a star. He’s had no less than two front page newspaper articles written about him in the last couple of weeks, a feature slot in the entertainment section of another paper, and two radio interviews. In addition to this, Kelly regularly draws 300 or more people at his shows, and before one of the larger venues closed, was packing in 700-800 week after week for over a year.
Besides his talent, something else sets Kelly apart. He is who he was before this eventual rise to the top began. He’s down to earth, humble, and fun to be around. And he really cares for other people. For the Supercell Benefit, he didn’t care when he played or if he played, he only wanted to help the families that lost so much because of the tornadoes. Every newspaper and radio interview I mentioned him doing really wasn’t about him - he wouldn’t let it be. It was about those families, the Red Cross, and the benefit. That’s true class.
Given half a chance, Kelly Ray Davis will rule the world.
Aaron Tippin and Kelly Ray Davis at the Supercell Benefit
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21 Comments to “Kelly Ray Davis Will Rule The World!”
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Kelly Ray Davis does in fact both Rock and Rule our world here in WV!! He is “our” Rockstar. You are right about him always being the same. Kelly has never forgotten anyone and makes it a point to let you know he appreciates the support. We wish him much continued success as it’s only a matter of time until having him at our small local venues is but a great memory.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
We are so proud of Kelly Ray here in Wayne County!! He has made this town proud!!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
i just wanted to say Kelly Rocks. He just needs to get away from Kid Rock because that is who he is starting to look and act like and he needs to be Kelly Ray not Kid Rock. Kelly is better then Kid Rock
March 4th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
WAY TA GO Y’All!!! Sounding GOOOOOOOOD
HUGE Heart Hugs Sent To Ya Today…
March 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Well first of all I would like to thank Paul King from the NashvilleHype! for backing me for the last few years. Paul is a great guy and a great friend. As for the Kid Rock thang.. HA! HA ! HA! I will be the first to tell you that Rock is a great guy and I ain’t nothing like him. My hair has been long my whole life so if thats the connection that this person is making…Welp you better dig a little deeper in my career before making comments like that. I apperciate the postive comments from everyone that digs my music… Thank ya’ll from the bottom of my heart…. But me and Rock ain’t nothing alike other than just artist out here doing our own thang trying to move people with a song! and hellllooooo….. Don’t ya think Kid Rock is a superstar… Its clear that he is doing something right!!!
March 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
All I can say is it’s about time someone noticed the talent that Kelly Ray posseses. If it wasn’t for him I would still have stage fright. Kelly congradulations on the success keep it up, and never lose sight of what you want to accomplish.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I saw Kelly Ray get up and jam at Tootsies one night when he was in Nashville for the Bluegrass awards show, and he brought the house down with just him and a guitar! What a true artist that can do that and not bore the hell out of you! Kellys hot right now in Nashville so I wish him the best and also Rodney Crisp that has signed on as Kellys duo partner! Kelly don’t need a partner but he damn sure couldn’t have picked a better one… Rodney kicks ass!
peace
March 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
KRD, the very best of luck to you. It looks like you’re doing it right man. I have not yet had the pleasure to met you, but I do go way back with the players in your band, and they’re the best of the best…….. God bless you dude. Keep your focus on the man, and keep on keepin on.
SF
March 11th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Kelly Ray Davis and Rodney Crisp,
What an amazing talented duo. I have a honest question to you guys that I can’t figure out. Why are you not selling millions of records and playing sold out shows. You guys have really got something here. More than just your average Nashville cookie cutter artist. In a business that has thousands trying to get through its doors, you guys got the mojo to walk right on in. I wish you the best with your career and I really truly think that talent of this degree can’t be over looked, so I will be watching and listening for your breakout album!
TB
March 13th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Kelly Ray Davis definitely rules my world! Kelly has everything it takes to make it! The look, the energy, and damn right the talent! KRD can write a song that you’ll be sure was written about your life, play a mean guitar, and has one hell of a voice. There is no doubt about it all his hard work and dedication will pay off and he will be a major success. Kelly Ray Davis and Rodney Crisp are a rockin’ duo. These guys will for sure leave a lasting impression no matter your style of music!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I saw Kelly Ray and Rodney play last night and they absolutely tore the roof off the joint! This is a must see show. The band kicks ass as well. Kelly and Rodney as stars that are taking over the tri-state and will soon be taking the record labels by storm! Love love love these guys! Like I said its a must see Rockin Country show!
KC
March 17th, 2008 at 3:42 am
KELLY RAY ROCKS! IVE SEEN HIM A FEW TIMES AND THE SONGS HE WRITES ARE SURE TO BE HITS! RODNEY CRISP IS A GREAT GUITARIST AS WELL AND A GREAT SINGER! I WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST!
T.T.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:20 am
TALENT! That is what you have with KRD. He is from good people, that is why he is the way he is with his fans and anyone that he comes in contact with. We are all real proud of him and the rest of his band. We are all wishing him the best. Stay true to you and you will soar higher than you ever dreamed of. Much Love from OW.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Kelly Ray Davis is the real deal.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Kelly Ray does ROCK!!! The band is GREAT!!! I wish these guys the VERY BEST of LUCK!! And I know they will go far! There Good!! And if you havent made it to a show these guys put on you really dont know what your missing. They Are AWESOME!! Down to earth good guys. You ROCK!!
March 18th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Congrats to K~Ray! It’s about time someone noticed how great his talent is! From pickin’ in his den to the good ol’ days at Remedies and the “CC”, everyone Out Wayne has enjoyed the sounds and talent of KRD! We are all soooo proud of you and happy someone has finally taken notice!
March 18th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Kelly Ray we are soooo proud of you! It is about time that the rest of the world gets the chance to see the talent you have to offer. There was never a doubt in my mind that you could make it and looks like it is happening for you… you deserve it!!
March 18th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Kelly Ray Rocks. We love you and your music. I am so proud of you.I always said you would go far.Keep Dreaming Because they can come true, and you DESERVE IT.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hey buddy, Congrats….I’m proud of you! What most people don’t know about you, is not only do you carry the talent of being a great song writer/singer, you have the heart. What you have put into it, shows very much so when you perform. Keep it up, show everyone else what we already knew. Everyone “Out Wayne” will always be behind you and support you. You deserve all of this remember that.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
You guys rock!
July 4th, 2008 at 12:10 am
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