Dave "Snaker" Ray

Dave "Snaker" Ray
Born	Saint Paul
Nationality	United States of America
Genres	blues
Instruments	guitar · voice

Dave "Snaker" Ray
Dave Ray in 1993
Background information
Birth name	James David Ray
Also known as	Dave "Snaker" Ray
Born	(1943-08-17)August 17, 1943 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	November 28, 2002(2002-11-28) (aged 59) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres	Blues
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1963–2002
Labels	Elektra Red House Tim/Kerr Records

Dave "Snaker" Ray (August 17, 1943 – November 28, 2002) The group never rehearsed together or did much at all together. Ray liked to call the group, "Koerner and/or Ray and/or Glover".

In 1969, Ray teamed up with Will Donicht as the band Bamboo, to record an electric folk-rock album in New York for Elektra Records. The album featured original and creative lyrics and instrumentals. Ray became disillusioned with Elektra and the commercial recording industry in general and was determined to set up his own recording studio and become a record producer. With funding from his first wife's aunt, Jane Westley, Ray created a recording company, "Sweet Jane Ltd." Their first project was recording the debut album of Bonnie Raitt, which also featured Junior Wells. Sweet Jane built a recording studio outside of Cushing, Minnesota in the early 1970s. The Minneapolis-based Willie and the Bees recorded an album there with Ray. Ray devoted many hours to diligent practice, running through the paces of guitar greats like Charlie Christian and Freddie Green.

In 1998, Ray and Glover joined with Camile Baudoin and Reggie Scanlan of the Radiators to form a short-lived band, the Back Porch Rockers, which released the album By the Water in 2000.

Ray's last album, which he sold on his website, was A Hollowbody Experience, by the 6L6 Band, which featured Ray on guitar and vocals, Jeff Dagenhardt on guitar and Dave Kasik on bass. Dagenhardt and Kasik both reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 6L6 CD was released in 2002, the year Dave Ray died. Fittingly, the last track was "It's All Over Now."

Death

Ray was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2002. He died on Thanksgiving day, November 28, at his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had chosen not to take any aggressive treatment for his cancer. He continued playing until shortly before his death, notably at a blues folk conference in Princeton, New Jersey.

Awards and honors

Koerner, Ray & Glover's star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

In 1983 the Minnesota Music Academy named Koerner, Ray and Glover "Best Folk Group" and in 1985 inducted them into the MMA Hall of Fame.

In 2008, Koerner, Ray & Glover were inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame under the category Blues Recordings for Blues, Rags and Hollers.

In October 2014, a segment of Franklin Avenue near his father's insurance office was named Dave Ray Avenue.

Koerner, Ray & Glover has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.

Discography

• with Koerner, Ray & Glover
  • Blues, Rags and Hollers (1963)
  • Lots More Blues, Rags and Hollers (1964)
  • The Return of Koerner, Ray & Glover (1965)
  • Good Old Koerner, Ray & Glover (1972)
  • One Foot in the Groove (1996)
• with Bamboo
  • Keep What Makes You Feel Nice (Elektra, 1969)
• Solo
  • Snaker's Here (1965)
  • Fine Soft Land (1967)
  • Kid-Man (1977)
  • Snake Eyes (1998)
• with Tony Glover
  • Legends in Their Spare Time (1987)
  • Ashes in My Whiskey (1990)
  • Picture Has Faded (1993)
• with The Three Bedroom Ramblers
  • What Was the Question? (1995)
• with Back Porch Rockers
  • By the Water (1999)
• with Jeff Dagenhardt & Dave Kasik (the 6L6 Band)
  • A Hollowbody Experience (2002)

References

• Illustrated Koerner, Ray & Glover discography
• Dave "Snaker" Ray at Find a Grave
• Blacks, Whites and Blues