Ray Baker (music producer)
Encyclopedia
Ray Baker is a Nashville
music producer. His first hit record produced was I Just Started Hatin' Cheating Songs Today by Moe Bandy
in 1974. He also produced It Was Always so Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman and It's a Cheatin' Situation, both by Moe Bandy. He also produced all of Connie Smith
's albums under Columbia
and Monument Records
, starting with That's the Way Love Goes in 1974.
Baker also produced duets by Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley
. "Good Ole Boys" was a million-selling duet in 1979. In 1983 he produced Right or Wrong by George Strait
, his first gold album; singles from that album included the title track, "You Look So Good in Love
" and "Let's Fall to Pieces Together
."
In 1984, he produced several hit records by Merle Haggard
, including Grammy-winning That's the Way Love Goes. Ray Baker also produced "Natural High", "Let's Chase Each Other 'Round the Room", "What am I Gonna Do with the Rest of My Life", and "You Take Me for Granted", all number one records for Haggard. In additions he produced several top ten records for Connie Smith for Columbia Records and Monument Records
Baker also produced a number one record in 1987 for Charley Pride
, Have I Got Some Blues for You. Prior to his producing career, Ray was a very successful music publisher. His catalogue contained such hits as "Elvira" "There Goes My Everything" "Son Of Hickory Hollows Tramp","If My Heart Had Windows" "That's The Way Love Goes", "Johnny One Time" and over 35 other Number One Country & Pop Songs from 1966 to the 1990s. His various accomplishments are included in Michael Kosser's best selling biography, "How Music City Became Music City USA".
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
music producer. His first hit record produced was I Just Started Hatin' Cheating Songs Today by Moe Bandy
Moe Bandy
Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr.–better known professionally as Moe Bandy– is a country music singer...
in 1974. He also produced It Was Always so Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman and It's a Cheatin' Situation, both by Moe Bandy. He also produced all of Connie Smith
Connie Smith
Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
's albums under Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
and Monument Records
Monument Records
Monument Records was an American record label, Washington, D.C. named for the Washington Monument, founded in 1958, by Fred Foster and Buddy Deane . Buddy Deane soon left the company, and in the early 60's bought KOTN in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he retired to until his death...
, starting with That's the Way Love Goes in 1974.
Baker also produced duets by Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley
Joe Stampley
Joe Stampley is an American country music singer.-Biography:He was born to R.C. Stampley, Jr. , and Mary E. Stampley...
. "Good Ole Boys" was a million-selling duet in 1979. In 1983 he produced Right or Wrong by George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
, his first gold album; singles from that album included the title track, "You Look So Good in Love
You Look So Good in Love
"You Look So Good in Love" is the title of a song recorded by American country singer George Strait. It was released in September 1983 as the lead single from his album Right or Wrong.-Content:...
" and "Let's Fall to Pieces Together
Let's Fall to Pieces Together
"Let's Fall to Pieces Together" is the title of a song recorded by American country singer George Strait in 1984. It was released in May 1984 as the third and final single from the album, Right or Wrong...
."
In 1984, he produced several hit records by Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, including Grammy-winning That's the Way Love Goes. Ray Baker also produced "Natural High", "Let's Chase Each Other 'Round the Room", "What am I Gonna Do with the Rest of My Life", and "You Take Me for Granted", all number one records for Haggard. In additions he produced several top ten records for Connie Smith for Columbia Records and Monument Records
Baker also produced a number one record in 1987 for Charley Pride
Charley Pride
Charley Frank Pride is an American country music singer. His smooth baritone voice was featured on thirty-nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His greatest success came in the early- to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis...
, Have I Got Some Blues for You. Prior to his producing career, Ray was a very successful music publisher. His catalogue contained such hits as "Elvira" "There Goes My Everything" "Son Of Hickory Hollows Tramp","If My Heart Had Windows" "That's The Way Love Goes", "Johnny One Time" and over 35 other Number One Country & Pop Songs from 1966 to the 1990s. His various accomplishments are included in Michael Kosser's best selling biography, "How Music City Became Music City USA".