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Ray LeGrand: a Rocker who blends various styles and inspirational
religious lyrics with brio and mastery. He has been involved in the
arts since early childhood.
Hi welcome to the ezine how's your day so far?
Better now that we are doing this interview! My 9-5 job is just getting to me lately and I long for the day when I can just make music. I know there's baggage that goes along with that, but those bags seem to be nicer than the ones I've been schlepping around for so many years now!
So, what is it you do in your 9-5?
By day I am a computer guy. Really, I shouldn't complain. It's a good job and like so many other things in my life, it's something that I really don't deserve.
What do you mean you, "don't deserve"?
Well... all throughout my life I've kinda "found myself" with opportunities that I should never have had. As for my job specifically, I have no real training, in fact, I'm a high school drop out!
You are?
Yeah, I've got my equivalency and some college under my belt, but my own credentials don't exactly qualify me for what I am doing. It's just one of those situations where I know that I can't take the credit. I thank God every day for getting me where I am. If He wants something to happen, it does!
Ahh... good segue!How is the Christian music scene in your area?
Ha!
Was that funny?
No... It's actually pretty sad. Being based in New York, there's just not a huge market for Christian music... Let alone Christian music with a serious 80s influence! I kinda feel like Lenny Kravitz in his "Behind The Music" where he was talking about not being white enough or not being black enough to satisfy the expectations of record companies and stuff.
Actually. it's a pretty good parallel because the mainstream often ask if I have anything that isn't "religious" and there are some people on the Christian side that say I'm not "Christian" enough.
Hey, Lenny had a big 60s influence, I have a big 80s influence.... Maybe I'll be the next Lenny! (laughs)
I see you don't take yourself too seriously.
Well, I used to... I was a "Rock Star" in my own head. Now, I care more about the message and the music. Money and fame are nice and don't get me wrong... If anyone wants to send some my way, I'll take it! But I joke around and say that I'm not a rock star... I'm a "Mock-Star".
Usually people get into this for money, fame, power... what motivates you?
Like I eluded to, those things were definitely a draw when I was in my teens, but now it's other things. For one thing, I was just made to do this. It's not like I'm making tons of money or anything. In fact I am spending a whole lot in trying to get some quality into my music and I'm basically giving it away. But the real driving force is the message. Yeah, I want to be the one to help strengthen God's people, make them think and challenge them to live their lives in a way that's pleasing to Him, but I also, perhaps even more so, have a desire to reach out to people in the mainstream.
I know that real fans tend to analyze everything their heroes do and try to emulate them. Not that I think I'm anyone's hero or anything, but I want to eventually be in the position where I have developed a mainstream following. With that in mind, I just need to stay positive and practice what I preach. It's been said, preach at all times and use words when necessary.
What about outside your local area? Is there a well organized Christian music support network?
There actually is a pretty strong sense of community among most Christian artists. I've "met" boatloads of people online and I've met some of them at different events.
Also, I've been a member of the "Gospel Music Association" (GMA) for a few years now. They sponsor different teaching seminars, showcases and networking opportunities. I actually just attended one of their big conferences in August called, "The Seminar In The Rockies". I made some good connections there.
Aside from that, I've been using MP3.com as both a delivery vehicle and to make contacts.
Actually, that's how we hooked up.
Yeah, that's right.
So the internet thing is going well for you?
I think it serves it's purpose.
How so?
Well, it's like I tell people. On the internet, you can have a very far reach. Not necessarily a wide reach, although that potential is there too. For example, I've received correspondence from all over the world. Literally. I mean, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Israel, Spain, France, Mexico, The U.K...
OK we get the point. Enough about you... Who is your favorite musician?
Oh I hate that question... I don't really have just one favorite. I like different artists for different reasons.
Well then, as a Christian singer, who is your favorite Christian singer?
Even that's a tough one... But, I would have to say Michael English.
Isn't he a pop singer?
He did some crossover pop stuff in the late 80s early 90s. In particular a song called, "Your Love Amazes Me".
I'm surprised! Your stuff is mostly, well as you describe it 80s hair metal based.
I don't know if I used the words "Hair Metal" (laughs), but yeah... I like pop. I like all sorts of stuff. But about Michael (English), more than a style I appreciate the way he conveys emotion with his voice. That's something I do my best to emulate.
What does Ray LeGrand does for fun (beside music)?
Man... My time is really precious. And unfortunately work takes a lot of it away. But I really enjoy spending time with my family.
A family man are you?
You could say that. My wife and I have been married for 12 years and we have four children
Wow! How old are you?
I'm 31 now. We got married young... I was 19.
What does your wife think about your music?
Undoubtedly, she is my biggest fan. It's a struggle though, because music does compete for my time. It's something I was made to do though and we try to keep a balance... but, well let's just say it's tough. Did I mention my day job consumes most of my time? (laughs)
What is your lyrical subject of choice?
I guess like most people, I write what I feel... what I'm passionate about and what I've experienced. There's also a lot of duality in my lyrics. I try to write in such a way that Christian people get what I'm saying, but that the mainstream isn't put off by "Bible Bashing" them to death. Like I said, I really like trying to get more than one application out of a song. Like, I didn't intend it, but I have a track called, "Up Ahead" that is basically about a really tough time I went through... Anyway, it's been picked up on the internet and used on a bunch of 9/11 tribute stations.
Or a song like, "Taken" which is really a song about my devotion to God, but for the most part could be shared between a couple. Well... except for the bridge. But I have had a lot of people comment about how the lyrics have personal application for them as individuals and it's often not in a religious context.
Tell us about your latest CD?
It's really just a demo, thus the name "Demo 2002". (laughs). It was recorded in my home town, Poughkeepsie NY with my brother Justin and my good friend Joe.
So it's just the three of you?
It's funny you ask that... Yeah. I've been co-writing with Justin for a little while now and the chemistry is pretty good. A few years ago we would have just killed each other... brothers ya know? Anyway, Justin either wrote or co-wrote most of the music and I did the lyrics, well except for the cover (It's Rising Up). He played all the guitars, bass and the keys. Joe handled the drums and I did all the vocal work.
How is it reproducing that live?
Well... That's actually an issue. I really did this CD initially for a competition where I was singing with it as an accompaniment track, but now I am getting asked to come out to places and do a few shows. I've always played with a band in the past and I don't really like the "track thing". I mean, this is basically a rock show and doing it with a track just isn't right. So, Justin and I are working on an acoustic set and I am looking for musicians
What kind of musicians?
Ideally, I would like a real keyboard player, another lead guitarist and someone who can be that great "all around musician", you know acoustic guitar, mandolin or whatever. Oh, and if they can all sing like angels... well that's my ideal. The other thing is that as someone doing Christian music, it's important to me that I surround myself with likeminded people.
So if anyone is interested, can they contact you?
Oh yeah! Probably just shoot me an email. That would be great!
Thank you for taking the time...Any parting words for the readers?
Just to say thanks for reading this interview and if you have taken the time to check out any of the songs and they touched you at all, I would love to hear from you. God Bless you!
I invite the readers to visit the website http://www.raylegrand.com
Or send your comments to: ray@raylegrand.com
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