Kyle Ray

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.

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.