Ronnie Ray is more than a sharp-dressed front man for the Coolers-he sets the pace and mood of each performance with his cool vocals and blues harp style-straight from the heart of the Windy City. Ronnie Ray started playing harmonica at age 11, learning the basics from his grandmother, who played hymns and other traditional music in North Carolina. Ronnie was first introduced to the blues at about age 13 when a neighbor played a James Cotton album for him. When he heard Cotton do "The Creeper," he was hooked for good. He's been trying to emulate that unique sound ever since.

Ronnie's blues-harp style is influenced by both hard-core Chicago blues and West Coast jump & swing blues; in particular Little Walter, Big Walter, James Cotton, William Clarke, and James Harman. Over the years, Ronnie Ray has opened for various artists such as David Allan Coe, Travis Tritt, and the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz. Venues where he has appeared include the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; the Attic in Greenville, and the Cape Fear Blues Festival in North Carolina; the Frederick Blues Festival and the Western Maryland Blues Fest in Maryland.

To find out more about RONNIE RAY and the COOLERS and our bookings or get on our mailing list just e-mail me at

RONNIE RAY and the COOLERS