#CONCERTREVIEW: RAY SCOTT AT TUNNEL CREEK VINEYARDS, ROXBORO, NC

Event: Ray Scott

Opening Artist: Matt Boswell

Date: 10/28/2023

Venue: Tunnel Creek Vineyards - Roxboro, NC

Reviewer: Jennifer Smith

 I'm a bit behind the proverbial 8 ball on this since the show was on 10/28 but when you work an 8 hour job in addition to music promoting, ya gotta get it in when ya can. 

Now, let's talk Ray Scott. When you think of real country music, you think of storytelling, simplicity, honesty. and authenticity. When you hear Ray Scott, you know you're hearing the real, unapologetic, genuine country deal (ok, and he might also be a little on the tilted side of normal). His music is from his heart, he tells the best stories and he tells them in a personal, relatable way. I mean come on, we've all had blind dates where the pictures weren't exactly the same as what you got in reality, we've all taken one for the team at one point, we've been with "The Ugly One", we're all "Grumpy", we try to take "The High Road", we "Ain't Always Thirsty" when we drink, and we've all prayed "Bear With Me, Lord" at least once in our lives. See, he's relatable.

On October 28, Ray made a trip home to NC. He played at the absolutely gorgeous Tunnel Creek Vineyards in Roxboro, NC. This place was amazing, definitely one of God's best painted canvasses with hills, a lake, trees with the fall colors, rows of grapevines and a beautiful win-e-"ray", um, I mean winery. This night was personal for Ray, it was so much more than just another gig. This night was all about home, family, friends, music and it was full of love. It was such a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Matt Boswell started the night and he was great. He kept it down deep country with songs like "Me and Haggard", "I Want My Rib Back", "Believe" and others. Country music might smell funny right now, but it sure ain't dead as long as these 2 guys are still playing.

Ray was up next and kept things mostly "out of the shallow end", playing mainly songs that mean something to him, songs with more than lyrics that make you laugh way too obnoxiously loud (but he did throw in a few of those). He broke out the really good stuff tonight like "Dirty Shirt", "Hey Fool", "Better as I Go", "Slow Dance", "Those Jeans", "Drinkin' Beer", "Put Another Log on the Fire", "Wheels on the House", "My Kind of Music", "Cover the Earth", "Everybody Ends Up Ugly", "Ripples" and others. We were all singing along, laughing along, crying along and dancing along. Tonight was a really good night, one for the memory books.

If you get a chance to see Ray or Matt, please do it. This calibre of talent and songwriting doesn't just pop up at your local bar too often. As they are independent artists, you may not walk in to a venue knowing who they are, but I can promise you that you'll leave as a fan and you'll want to know and hear more.

Find out more about Ray and check out his tour dates at www.rayscott.com. Follow him on social media and go download/stream his music at digital outlets everywhere, including his upcoming album "Billboards and Brake Lights" which is set for release on Friday, November 10. 

Follow Matt Boswell on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MattBoswellTheHillbillyBluesBand

CONCERT REVIEW: RAY SCOTT HOMECOMING SHOW IN ROXBORO, NC ON JUNE 3

Event: Ray Scott Homecoming Show
Venue: Strutmasters, Roxboro, NC
Date: 6/3/16
Reviewer: Jennifer Smith
Follow Jenn on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics

Photo credit: Jennifer Smith

Click HERE to see more photos

When Ray Scott is coming to town, you know it's gonna be a good time but when he's coming to HIS hometown area, you know the bar just got raised a whole lot higher. Ray performed for friends, family and quite a few drunk friendly strangers this past weekend in Roxboro, NC and man was it hot and I'm not just talking about the sweltering heat. The women love Ray and honestly, I think some of the men may have had a manly man crush going on to. That's because Ray has this certain country "swaggertude" that people just love. Fans love that he is unapologetically Ray and he is who he is. He's the kind of guy you can drink a beer or twelve with and feel like you just sat down with a lifelong friend.

The show was held outside and it was a typical NC summer day, full of boob sweat, swamp crotch and melted makeup before you even got from the parking lot to the performance area. I definitely looked and felt like I'd gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson or either mated with a raccoon by the way my mascara had melted around my eyes but it was more than worth it for the show I was about to see.

There were two great opening acts, the Rock City Rollers who did an outstanding job of covering some classic rock hits and I gotta say, the young guitar player, Adam Snow (I think that was his name) was one of the best guitar players I've ever seen hands down. He had great vocals too. He broke out a version of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" that damn near rivaled the original on quality. What a great set these guys put on.

Next up was local artist, Matt Boswell and the Hillbilly Blues Band. Matt was pretty impressive as well, great vocals and very entertaining to watch. I immediately downloaded his singles, "My Way of Life" and "Working Mans Prayer" on iTunes.

Even though the weather was questionable with severe thunderstorms forecast and lighting streaking across the sky in the distance, this didn't deter real country fans from sitting and enjoying a night of great music. Ray took the stage about 9pm and had a HUGE set list over more than 20 songs. Sadly, I only got to see about half of the show since the weather was getting bad in the direction I had to go but it was still a hell of a show. Ray is one of country's best and confusingly most underrated storytellers. He can tell a story better than Uncle Seuss ever could and that's what his songs are, stories. They're stories about life, probably about personal experiences if you know Ray, they're locker room stories set to music and they're stories that the every day man can relate to. You won't hear drum machines, auto tuner or overplayed screeching electric guitar during his show. What you will hear is simple yet undeniable country music that makes an impression. With his deep rich vocals and an amazing band made up of some of the best in the business, any Ray Scott show is more than worth your time, the drive and the ticket price. I'm glad I made the 4 hour drive for this one and I'd do it again. This time the drive lead me down the "high road" to one of the best shows I've ever seen.