It’s the 1 year anniversary of the release of Stanley Ray‘s 3rd LP “This Is Me“. Released August 31st, 2023, which was also the 8 year anniversary of his Father’s passing, the last time we did an article on this baby faced songbird, his album was only 2 months old and it was already making a permanent mark on streaming platforms and in his hometown of Mount Vernon, IL when he was placed in the local newspaper twice in September that year. This would officially solidify him as a local artist, with word quickly spreading around his hometown. But little did he know, that was just the beginning. Let’s take a look at all the other achievements that would unfold for him in the coming year after releasing this deeply personal emotionally drenched audio diary.
A month after being put in the paper, the public recognition came with opportunities and he was invited to perform at a church for Irvington Grade School on December 18, 2023, which was his first Christmas performance ever. He sang along to Classic Christmas songs; ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee and ‘Sleigh Ride’ sung by the Cast of Nickelodeon, along with one requested original song from his ‘This Is Me’ album titled ‘Midnight Run’. “The only thing I cared about was putting smiles on those kids faces and that’s what I did. It felt good to make them happy and inspire them to go after their dreams.”
The albums first and lead single ‘Attractive’ was released August 1st, 2023 with no music video. Ray’s been vocal in the past about never putting out the first video for every album he’s done on time, mostly due to the fact that he always wants to make sure the concept is something really well thought out and not just him “jumping infront of a camera and doing just anything.” The music video for the song premiered on YouTube December 27, 2023, reaching it’s first one thousand views within the first 22 hours, despite the 4 month gap. 2 month’s later, it hit one hundred thousand views, which was the fastest he’d ever received that amount of views on a music video. “I’m glad the delay didn’t affect how the video was received,” Ray says.
After submitting his song ‘Attractive’ for Radio Play for BMS Radio at the end of May in 2024, it was during the week of June 2-8 that the song would debut at Number One on BMS Radio’s Dope Urban Jamz Chart. After having experienced “small town hate” from time to time for his success, Ray was at first hesitant to share the exciting news publicly, but a loved one told him to start clapping for his success, rather than be quiet or bashful. He shared the news on social media June 12th and it exploded, creating a much bigger buzz for him and his music in his hometown Mt. Vernon, IL and on streaming platforms.
It didn’t stop there. The next week, on June 17th, a package would arrive for him. When he opened it, there was a Silver Plaque Award with his name and face on it, to commemorate him for debuting at Number One. “I’m truly lost for words. Fr, I love ya’ll,” he wrote in his Facebook and Instagram Posts. This is his first Award ever received, with Ray saying in his Social Media posts that he prays this is “1 of MANY MORE Awards to come.” Ray, now 25 years old, says he feels “super blessed and truly grateful for everything.” He’s been in the music game for 4 years now, though the young artist says he still “has a lot of work to do and a much longer way to go.”
It’s also now the 9 year anniversary of his Father’s Passing and when asked if he had any words to say about his late Father, he says “I just hope he’s proud of me.” The albums last song “Dear Family…” reveals that him and his Father didn’t have the best relationship, nor did he and his Mother at times but the singer says he loves his family and always will. Ray hopes to continue to rise as a young indie artist, eventually soaring into mainstream global success. As for his album “This Is Me” and all the success that’s come with it’s release so far, we don’t see him slowing down anytime soon.
