RAY AND THE PARIAH DOGS

Acclaimed recording artist Ray LaMontagne is set to release his new album, Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs - God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise on August 17th, 2010 on RCA Records. This is his fourth studio record, and the follow-up to his heralded Gossip in the Grain.

Entirely self produced (for the first time) God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise was recorded in two weeks at LaMontagne's home in the woods of western Massachusetts. The newly restored historic home served as a homemade recording studio for Ray and his fellow musicians. The setting provided a backdrop for the creation of songs imbued with Ray's signature poignancy. With Ray's vocals at the forefront of the songs and a loose, almost live sounding recording, the album stands as a testament to a band at the height of their powers. The newly coined 'Pariah Dogs', consists of Jay Bellarose(drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), Patrick Warren (keyboard), Eric Heywood(guitar) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Individually, these musicians have contributed to the live work of such heralded musicians including Beck, Joe Henry, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams and Joe Cocker to name a few of their career highlights. Together with Ray, they shared a sense that the sessions for this record were rare and extraordinary.

Ray's last album Gossip in the Grain debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. He appeared on multiple television programs including a coveted spot on Saturday Night Live. Ray will hit the road with David Gray beginning August 15th and ending September 10th. During his last North American tour, Spin.com proclaimed Ray, "illustrated a near flawless transition from a front porch in Maine to the front of the most prestigious stage in the world (Radio City Music Hall)."

Confirmed Tour Dates for David Gray and Ray LaMontagne are as follows:

August 15 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
August 17 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
August 18 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
August 19 Wantagh, NY Nikon @ Jones Beach
August 20 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
August 25 Chicago, IL Millennium Park
August 26 Rochester, MI Meadow Brook Theatre
August 27 Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
August 29 Council Bluffs, IA Stir Cover @ Harrah's Council Bluffs
August 30 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 31 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Opera House
Sept. 1 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
Sept. 3 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl @ The Palms
Sept. 4 Valley Center, CA Harrahs Rincon
Sept. 5 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Sept. 8 Los Angeles, CA The Greek Theatre
Sept. 10 San Francisco, CA The Greek Theatre

KCRW WELCOMES RAY LAMONTAGNE

American troubadour Ray LaMontagne creates modern folk songs that are lush and earthy. Joined by his band, he performed live songs on Morning Becomes Eclectic the day after he headlines KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Ray Lamontagne was in town over the weekend. Before his gig at the Hollywood Bowl, he found some time to stop by the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

I was at the show Sunday night - I'll have a full report shortly! Thanks to my buddy Zac for scoring these tix for my birthday.

How could I...

....be such a fool! So tonight scouring my TiVo, I saw that Ray LaMontagne was on SNL this past, uh, Saturday. I was surprised I did not catch this beforehand, and am truly disappointed I did not report this earlier. But thankfully for the modern technology we have today, I can share with you his performances of 'Best Thing'. At truly amazing performance, but what else could we expect from this one of a kind singer songwriter!

RAY OF LIGHT

Last Thursday I was honored to be invited to see one of my favorite favorite favorite singer/songwriters of this day and age. Ray Lamontagne played the first of two nights at The Wiltern in Los Angeles.

He is truly one of the most magical folk singers around. From the opening number to the very last song, I had goosebumps all they way through. Ray hardly spoke to the crowd except to graciously thank everyone for coming. He didn't need to say much, I was there to hear him sing, and sing he did! It didn't seem to upset the fans much either, because they continued to go APE throughout his set.

I am not really familiar with his current album GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN, but he did sing quite a bit from his older albums, including my faves 'Trouble', 'Shelter', 'Jolene' and 'All The Wild Horses.' His lyrics so rich and full of heart, combined with the rasp of his voice, creates a truly magical experience that can only be described as the "Ray experience."


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NEW MUSIC TUESDAY!

Gossip In The Grain has finally arrived! HUGE fan of this guy, so I am over the moon that his new CD is out TODAY!

If you have loved his past albums you will love this one even more! I don't even know where to begin with this guy. He's a raw talent that you don't see much of these days.

I just read this quote about Ray's new album and I couldn't agree more! "If Jesus put out an album, this would be it." Seriously, that is no lie...listening to his voice is like a a gift from GOD!

www.myspace.com/raylamontagne

GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN

I am so excited to announce that one of my favorite male singer/songwriters is back with a new album and an upcoming tour!

He has truly one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard, and he is even better live. YOU MUST GET A TICKET WHEN HE COMES TO A CITY NEAR YOU!

Ray's new album, GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN drops on October 14th.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!



RAY LAMONTAGNE TO RELEASE THIRD ALBUM,
'GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN' ON October 14th

Lauded singer/songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is set to release his much-anticipated third album, Gossip In The Grain, on October 14th on RCA Records. Recorded with returning producer, Ethan Johns in Box, England, and touching upon a range of styles and musical settings- spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry - Gossip In The Grain proves to be his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

Whereas LaMontagne's two previous albums, 'Trouble' and 'Till The Sun Turns Black', were largely solo affairs, with Johns serving as multi-tasking instrumentalist, Gossip In The Grain sees him joined by members of his touring band, bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood (with Johns largely handling drum duties). Along with his band members, LaMontagne is also joined on two tracks - "A Falling Through" and "I Still Care For You" - by singer/songwriter Leona Naess.

As LaMontagne explains "It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record. I'm really very critical of myself and it's sort of a process of opening up. I felt like I was in the right space to show that side of myself." Recently called by Vanity Fair "a fresh reminder that the genuine artist is not yet an extinct species," Gossip In The Grain reconfirms Ray LaMontagne as an artist and a craftsman without limits, a songwriter who is able to work his melodic gifts and distinctive lyricism through any of the myriad musical traditions that catches his fancy.


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www.myspace.com/raylamontagne