From the rolling hills of Barren County, Kentucky, Kyle Ray carves his own path through the Americana landscape, fusing the grit of outlaw country with the soul-stirring harmonies of bluegrass, folk, and soul. With a raw, unbridled sound and a pen steeped in both beauty and heartbreak, Kyle’s music cuts to the core of the human experience — honest, unapologetic, and deeply felt. He moves effortlessly between weary acoustic ballads and raucous, foot-stomping anthems, capturing the full spectrum of grit and grace.
Today, Kyle delivers his soulful, wistful fourth single, “Love Me Tonight.” The track was inspired by the frustration of a ‘right person, wrong time’ scenario. “I was crushing on a girl who, unfortunately, had a boyfriend,” Kyle reveals. “We had a bit of history, and I could tell she liked me back, but she never admitted it. I remember thinking, ‘Well hell, better write about this while the feeling is fresh. Might get something out of it at least.’”
In 2024, he introduced his sound with three striking singles: the high-energy, moonshine-fueled romp “If It’s Taxed, It Ain’t Shine,” the rebellious storytelling of “The Band of Robbers,” and the ethereal, deeply personal ballad “The Angel Poet.” Whether delivering an unfiltered confession or an outlaw’s anthem, Kyle Ray brings a new attitude to Americana — one rooted in tradition but unafraid to break the rules.
Raised on a rich tapestry of sound, Kyle’s childhood was steeped in everything from doo-wop and Motown to southern soul and classic rock. Meanwhile, the church his family attended was filled with the unfiltered sounds of hill-folk bluegrass. Growing up in the same town that birthed Cage the Elephant, Kyle and his childhood friends found inspiration in bands like Alabama Shakes, The Strokes, and their hometown heroes. At the same time, they cut their teeth on Zeppelin, the Eagles, Skynyrd, and Sabbath — soaking up classic rock’s raw, untamed energy. Layering that foundation with the storytelling grit of Chris Stapleton, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, and Tyler Childers, Kyle forged a sound that bridges the soulful swagger of rock with the heart and honesty of Americana and country.
“I grew up broke and experienced a lot of tragedy in my early life, so I gravitated to music that was in search of truth and spoke of struggle,” Kyle reflects.
Kyle’s songwriting is intensely personal, drawing from his experiences of hardship, beauty, and faith. “Whether that be the beauty I’ve found, the hurt I’ve felt, or the comfort in the Lord I’ve experienced, I want it written,” he says. His music reflects a range of influences, from his father — “a killer vocalist and a grease monkey” who would sing along to the radio in the garage — to the mountain folk of his church.
Photo Credit: Remington Sage Strecker
Some of his most cherished performance moments include playing Bourbon & Beyond in 2024, where he saw his family in the audience — the first time he had played in his home state in five years. Another unforgettable night was opening for Angel Olsen in September of that year. “There was a young girl who had driven over an hour to see me and my band for her 16th birthday,” he shares. “After we played our set, the boys and I snuck into the audience to watch Angel’s set and just so happened to sit right in front of her. I wrote her a little happy birthday note on a napkin and took a picture with her. So sweet, and so cool. Made my year.”
As Kyle looks ahead, he hopes his music resonates with listeners on a deeper level. “I hope that people find hope and peace in my music, or answers to questions that no one around them can answer,” he expresses. “At the very least, I hope my music makes people feel seen. I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling like no one really knows or sees me. I know how important it is to feel that.”
Kyle is gearing up for a big year in 2025, setting the stage for an even bigger 2026, packed with new music, captivating performances, and more chances to connect with his ever-growing audience. With graduation from Berklee College of Music this May, he’s setting his sights on Nashville, eager to carve out his place in the music scene. “There’s going to be more music, more shows, and hopefully more of y’all. I hope to meet y’all soon,” Kyle concludes, inviting his fans to delve into the intricate tapestry of his sound and join him as his musical mosaic continues to unfold.
