Conversations with Eddie Ray Arnold

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Ray Arnold.

Hi Eddie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Eddie Ray Arnold and I am a country music recording artist. I’ve always been musical and loved performing to a live crowd. I spent some time as a solo artist before joining the US Navy, getting married, and raising a son and daughter. While being a husband and father, I played and sang in various cover bands but missed playing my music and original songs. There is something special about playing my songs to a crowd there to hear my music. When my son left for college, I thought the time was right to step out as a solo artist and be ready to go full speed by the time my daughter graduated three years later, which is where I am now. Within the first few months, I released two songs I had written (Old Faded Pictures and 85). I signed with Emanant Music Group and released Beautiful Day, which I cowrote with Corey Barker. That song was special to me and was the first single of mine released with Emanant Music Group. Since then, I have released four more singles with Emanant Music Group, and we have a few more in production.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While social media has been challenging, some other things are different than when I was younger. Almost everything is online, and there isn’t much money for artists with streaming and fans who don’t use CD players. It’s much more difficult for artists to fund their music than it was fifteen years ago. Being able to sell CDs out of my trunk or a merch table at the back of the venue didn’t just get my music out to those who liked it and wanted to be supportive; it helped pay for much of the cost of being an artist. I signed with Emanant right as COVID hit, which pushed many projects for months. For a new artist reaching out to gigs, the doors were closed in many cases because the venue doors were closed. When they opened back up, they booked their known bands as they should because those bands also have been unable to work, and artists like myself have had to work hard to get gigs that were available before COVID. Overall, I would say there has been a struggle, but I believe in assessing, improvising, adapting, and overcoming, and I’m headed in the right direction. Most of life is having the proper perspective.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My music tends to the upbeat, focusing on life’s positives although I play my share of ballads and sad songs. My shows are pretty energetic, and I interact a good bit with the crowd. Jeffrey Kurtis had this to say, “With his previous singles “Rock Your World” and “Beautiful Day,” Eddie Ray Arnold stamped down a signature sound that leaned heavily on 90’s country influences and carried just enough dose of modern touch to add relevance for today’s listener and draw them in a while also satisfying those who want a little more country in their country music. Arnold now returns with his new single, “What If I Don’t.” Cowritten by John Kennedy and Bryson Jennings, the song continues to see Arnold lean into that decisively 90’s country feel. As an artist I’m not trying to fit into a box or category such as outlaw, traditional, pop, or something else. I want to play my songs the way I play them, and I hope people like them.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want to announce the release of my latest single, What If I Don’t. It is available now on all music services. What if I don’t is this summer’s “moving on” anthem. “This classic country-radio song shows us that we are allowed to do things for our good. Trust our gut with our decision, and understand the question, “What If I Don’t,” The answer could be not wanting to be with someone, not missing someone, and ultimately just wanting to get away from it all. This song is excellent for any Nashville venue and for country artists looking for something new to cover. This song will be an anthem for listeners who have established themselves and their independence and those who want a classic country-rock song to jam to. I’d also like to add that we have released a new music video for What If I Don’t. The video is available on my YouTube channel or Facebook page. The video includes an incredible red Ford Mustang.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eddierayarnold.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/eddierayarnold
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/eddiearnold
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/eddierayarnold
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/eddierayarnold
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/29XhQP8SCmEAYzItrIUgNQ?si=QBsk-01TSla5LdVSUXhWZw

Image Credits
Mercedes Miranda (Black Hat photos)