Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklyn Ray
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My parents first realized I was gifted in music when my older brother began taking piano lessons. At 5 years old, I begged and pleaded to be included. My parents finally had enough of me learning his songs by ear and slowly tapping them out on the keys, and enrolled me in lessons.
My classical piano journey went on throughout high school, and neither I nor my parents knew how much of a lifeline those lessons would be.
At age 12, I began experiencing health complications. They left me in severe chronic pain, and changed the course of my life. Sports were nearly out of the question entirely, and I was subjected to years of tests, doctors visits, scans, surgeries, and medications that brought me little relief.
During those years, from 12 til the end of high school, piano and guitar were everything to me. I loved to sing, but hated people hearing me. So, I would lock myself away in my family’s little home in Alabama, in the back room where we kept my great grandmother’s standing piano. Some Saturdays I would sit at the piano for up to 7 or 8 hours; playing songs I loved, singing, and learning guitar on the piano bench.
Music was my therapy. I wrote songs with and without words to express my inner turmoil at my life. It was all I cared about. During my junior year of high school, I decided I would pursue a career in music therapy. I wanted to help people who suffered like I did, and I needed music to be an integral part of my life.
Unfortunately, due to the severity of my illness, I was discouraged from pursuing that field as my doctor informed me that I would need a “stable, high paying job to help pay for all of the medical bills” I would likely have for the rest of my life.
So I did what I was told. I received scholarships to a private, esteemed university in Alabama- located in the same city as my specialists- and began schooling. I probably changed my major 6 or 7 times during my time there, but music always remained. At nights when campus was quiet, I would sneak from my dorms to the campus chapel. Onstage was a beautiful grand piano, where I would sit and play country songs until the early hours of the morning. Nights I should have spent studying were spent at the piano or with my guitar in my little dorm bedroom. Country music told stories that were different from mine, but made me feel less alone.
Some nights I would cry myself to sleep, wondering why I was given such a burning desire to give my life over to the art of country music. I called it torture, like I was haunted by the ghost of a life I should’ve had but would never be given the opportunity to chase. I would beg God to either take it away from me or give me some sort of outlet; little did I know what He had in store.
Some people believe in miracles, some people don’t. I can say that I am a firm believer. When I was 19 years old, my scans began to clear. My pain, slowly but surely, began to subside. All of the prayers my family and I had prayed over the years seemed to have been heard, and my life was suddenly my own. No more medication, no more needing to make big bucks to pay for it.
I didn’t know what to do with myself, but I knew that I had been given a second chance.
Covid shut my campus down the spring of my junior year. I struggled to care about my online classes, especially given all my new free time alone in my room with my guitar. I began recording myself playing songs I loved or had written and singing on a burner instagram account. I maybe garnered 200 followers there. I didn’t care; they were people who heard my music and actually liked it.
That summer, I had had enough. I was done with school, I was done pretending like I wanted anything other than music. I told my parents I wouldn’t be returning, and that I wanted to take at least a year off (I fully intended on dropping out completely, but didn’t want to freak my parents out too much). After much prayer and deliberation, they were on board. I didn’t know what I would do, but I knew I had to at least give the “country music thing” a shot.
Despite many discouragements and judgments from peers and community members, I took the leap.
I spent the next year working, paying off student loans, and figuring out what was next. I continued posting videos and writing, not really sure what to do with all of the material I had accumulated over the years. I started playing small gigs in my hometown and finally overcoming my fear of singing for other people.
One day the following summer, I received a random dm in my inbox. This became a life altering message, and through the sender I was connected to hit songwriters and incredibly successful industry professionals. One day I was invisible, and the next someone in Nashville stumbled across my little instagram account, and liked what she heard. The following summer, I moved to Nashville, where I began performing on famous stages and writing songs with other country music songwriters. I have written hundreds of songs, met incredible songwriters and performers, and am living the life 12 year old Brooklyn had all but given up on.
I may not ever be a star, but I am forever grateful to live the life I do now. My days are spent playing shows full time, writing songs, and creating art. It is certainly a grind to keep up with bills and the fatigue that comes along with a life on the road, but I can’t imagine my life any other way.
I believe that as a songwriter I have a responsibility to tell stories that others don’t, or can’t. Whether happy or sad. My own stories, my family’s stories, my friend’s stories, a stranger’s stories. Country music is where I am given the opportunity to give those people a voice.
I currently have two songs recorded and mastered, and am looking to release my debut single in January of 2025. It has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to share my music with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I almost laughed out loud at this question. I wish!
While the road has never been “smooth”, it has developed me in ways that only difficulty and obstacles can. There are constant criticisms, suggestions, discouragements, and there is the constantly being compared to other artists. There are expectations around every corner, and every single person expects something different. People aren’t afraid to hurt your feelings in this industry, and everyone has an opinion.
The most important thing is to know who you are, what you’re about, and to love whatever that is. To choose to trust people even though it’s a risk, and not take it personally when things don’t go your way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a country singer and songwriter. My income comes from playing shows. Currently, my life consists of loading gear, playing gigs, rehearsals, writing with fellow songwriters, and trying to figure out the social media game. I am known for soulful, strong country vocals; as well as creative songwriting among my peers.
I am most proud of my soon-to-be first release! I have recorded 2 songs, and am currently working through a release plan for my debut single. Those songs have been a labor of love and I am so proud of the lyricism, instrumentation, and production on both of them; it has been a long project with many creative minds involved in the process.
I think what sets me apart is my perspective on my music career. I don’t see it as a pathway to stardom; to me, it is a responsibility as an artist to share my art with the world. There have been so many songs and artists whose work have helped me through hard times, or been the soundtrack for memories I am fond of. Music was my therapy as a child, and I want my music to provide the same comfort and joy to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/brooklynray
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/brooklynrayofficial
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/music.brooklyn.ray
