Ray Lyell
Encyclopedia
Ray Lyell is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.
Lyell was nominated for a Juno Award
as Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1990. Shortly after the nomination, he began an international tour in Australia.
In 1992, after a legal conflict in the United States over the name, "The Storm", Lyell was forced to sell the rights to the name. His next album, Desert Winds, was released under his name only, even though the members of the band continued to tour and perform with him.
Gypsy Wind was the album's first successful single. It was followed by a video, shot in Arizona in 1993.
In 1994, Ray Lyell traveled to Nashville, TN to begin working on his third album, Working Man, with writers, Billy Crain and Todd Cerney
. 1995 saw the release of Working Man.
After a ten year break from recording, Ray Lyell released his fourth album, Running on Faith, with CMC Canada.
In an effort to expand his own knowledge, Lyell has studied with some of the most prominent vocal coaches in North America.
He continues to teach, write and record out of his studio, Rayne Records, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Later that year, he co-wrote with Paul Hackman
of the band Helix
the title track to their album, Wild In The Streets. The success of Wild In The Streets earned Ray Lyell a gold album. He also co-wrote tracks on half-ALIVE
and It's a Business Doing Pleasure
with Hackman.
Ray Lyell wrote all of the songs from his four albums, with an occasional collaboration with other writers such as Billy Crain.
Singles
Videos
Career
Ray Lyell came to prominence with his band, The Storm, in the late 1980s. Ray Lyell and the Storm released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Its first single, Another Man's Gun, scored No. 6 on the AOR charts. The second single released by Lyell, Carry Me, was a Top 40 hit on the CHR charts and still gets airplay in Canada. Three videos were shot to promote the singles: Another Man's Gun (1989), Cruel Life (1990), and Carry Me (1990).Lyell was nominated for a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
as Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1990. Shortly after the nomination, he began an international tour in Australia.
In 1992, after a legal conflict in the United States over the name, "The Storm", Lyell was forced to sell the rights to the name. His next album, Desert Winds, was released under his name only, even though the members of the band continued to tour and perform with him.
Gypsy Wind was the album's first successful single. It was followed by a video, shot in Arizona in 1993.
In 1994, Ray Lyell traveled to Nashville, TN to begin working on his third album, Working Man, with writers, Billy Crain and Todd Cerney
Todd Cerney
Todd Cerney was an American songwriter and musician.He composed "Good Morning Beautiful", a 2002 five-week country number one hit for Steve Holy ; "The Blues Is My Business" , part of Etta James' 2003 Grammy Award winning album "Let's Roll"; and "I'll Still Be Loving You", a 1987...
. 1995 saw the release of Working Man.
After a ten year break from recording, Ray Lyell released his fourth album, Running on Faith, with CMC Canada.
Vocal Coach
In 1996, Lyell was encouraged to pursue vocal coaching as a career. His experience as a performer, with thousands of shows under his belt, meshed perfectly with his ability to coach singers toward better and healthier vocal performance. He developed The Dynamic System of Vocal Teaching.In an effort to expand his own knowledge, Lyell has studied with some of the most prominent vocal coaches in North America.
He continues to teach, write and record out of his studio, Rayne Records, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Songwriter
In 1987, radio station, HTZ-FM sponsored a songwriting contest. Ray Lyell won first place with his song, "Take This Heart".Later that year, he co-wrote with Paul Hackman
Paul Hackman
Paul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
of the band Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
the title track to their album, Wild In The Streets. The success of Wild In The Streets earned Ray Lyell a gold album. He also co-wrote tracks on half-ALIVE
Half-ALIVE
half-ALIVE was the first official live album by Canadian heavy metal band Helix, following the promotional-only Live At The Marquee. It was also their 11th album altogether and featured five new studio songs...
and It's a Business Doing Pleasure
It's a Business Doing Pleasure
-Credits:Produced by Marc Ribler & Tom TreumuthRecorded at Hypnotic Studios, Toronto, November 1992-Helix:* Brian Vollmer - lead vocals* Brent "The Doctor" Doerner - lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, background vocals...
with Hackman.
Ray Lyell wrote all of the songs from his four albums, with an occasional collaboration with other writers such as Billy Crain.
Discography
Albums- 1989 - Ray Lyell & the Storm - Spy Records/A&M
- 1993 - Desert Winds - Spy Records/A&M
- 1995 - Working Man - Spy Records/A&M
- 2005 - Running On Faith - Rayne Records/CMC
Singles
- 1989 - "Another Man's Gun" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1990 - "Cruel Life" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1990 - "Carry Me" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1993 - "Gypsy Wind" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1993 - "Desert Nights" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1993 - "Don't Let Go" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1993 - "Bitter Creek" - Spy Records/A&M
- 1995 - "Wishing Big (Ray's Theme)" - Mohawk Records
Videos
- 1989 - "Another Man's Gun"
- 1990 - "Cruel Life"
- 1990 - "Carry Me"
- 1993 - "Gypsy Wind"