Born in Luhnsthul, Germany to a military family where dad was himself a songwriter — and fighter pilot — the family relocated to Tucker, Georgia when Gary was 5 years old.
Gary’s career path was etched early-on when he deliberately shunned his High School graduation ceremonies to go on tour with Edwin McCain. Gary Ray laughs, “I have been on the road ever since.”
Born Gary Ray (Pfaff), Gary was a music industry “early bloomer.” His first group, Dial 8 gave Gary a taste of life as a working musician. Gary’s next band, Obsession Day took it to the next level, performing with the likes of Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, and Counting Crows. Gary notes, “Of course we broke up like most bands right on the cusp of a major deal.” Obsession Day was one of the most downloaded bands on college music radio falling second only to the Zac Brown Band. Following Obsession, Gary was signed to a small, independent label. The then Gary “Pfaff” released 2 albums; “White Stars” and “Under The Influence – Live” which achieved modest success and gave Gary the creative initiative to follow his artistic dreams.
Fast forward to Nashville 2011. Now an executive and Better Angels Music artist, Ray also has studio chops. He has engineered and/or produced numerous projects including The Judies, Boyce Avenue, John Pringle and Tim Brantley, among others. In the studio, Gary has earned hundreds of production and engineering credits with the most notable being the previously mentioned internationally successful Boyce Avenue, now signed to Universal Records. As a producer/engineer Gary began his career splitting his time between producing a 23-song rock opera, and working for Scooter Braun (now Justin Beiber’s manager) at Krypton Studios. This is where he first was exposed to the art of successful independent promotion and big business.
Regarding juggling his love for producing with the grind of touring mixed with his executive Better Angels duties, Gary says, “I miss the studio from back in my producing days… I love the recording process, but I have had to let that go for a little bit to get out in front of the fans more. Music is changing and the only way to give the fans what they REALLY want is to bring the show to their hometown.”
Not one to compromise the creative process on his own projects, he has produced/mixed/engineered all of his own albums including the latest release – “Livin The Dream” which was funded soley through fan support on Kickstarter.com
Livin’ the Dream features guest appearances by members of Zac Brown Band. The single, Quit Buckin’ Around received major radio airplay, especially in the Southeast. Gary’s favorite track on his new album is Here We Go Again. Gary adds, I really am partial to Here We Go Again because it’s my true style. I wrote it with my good friend, Josh Dunne, and my opinion of the song hasn’t changed since day one — and that is rare for me these days.”
His fan base is deep and getting deeper. Gary won the people’s choice awards in Atlanta, Georgia for Atlanta’s favorite hometown band and lost the following year to Zac Brown and his music is in-demand by those in the know. Gary Ray’s music has been licensed by MTV, VH1, E!, OPRAH, and other networks.
Touring a consistent 250 plus shows a year with a fanbase in mainly Southeast, Gary’s popularity seemingly grows instantaneously with each and every live performance. He’s recently toured with and/or opened for: Brantley Gilbert, Corey Smith, Lady Antebellum, Chris Cagle, and Miranda Lambert and CO-headlined the Jagermeister Get UR Country On Club Tour with Rick Monroe in the summer of 2011. Gary adds, “I like touring because I enjoy seeing new faces and places everyday. I love to see how far word can travel about an artist. Working my twitter account and facebook page is something that I’ve made myself grow into. As far as touring itself, I was built for it.”
Juggling his VP label stripes with being an artist continues to be a challenge Gary is happy to tackle. He says, “It’s definitely a give and take proposal. I constantly have fans telling me that they wish I would put as much time into my career as I do into some of my artists. I have to remind them that I am in a position to make an enormous change for a lot of people. I am blessed with an artists heart and a business mind.”
With comparisons to Eric Church and Jason Aldean Gary is comfortable in that artistic company. He concludes, “I like listening to both of those guys. And I like that they aren’t afraid to push Country radio to play something different… just like me.”
Gary Ray has over 16 years worth of experience in the music industry and has worn many hats throughout his career, including that of artist, executive, songwriter producer, manager, and promoter. Gary has been singled-out in numerous publications as being one of the hardest working people in the industry. He has no intention of slowing down. His ability to relate to and support the Better Angels Artists comes from his own experiences as a professional touring artist. Gary Ray’s innovative and forward thinking approach to the ever-changing music industry brings a fresh and promising energy to Better Angels.
Here We Go Again
Gary Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because I couldn't give up
The chance to drink you off my mind
You said: "Love it or leave it!"
Man I didn't need it
So I left you in my tail lights
Slammed on the gas, and headed down past
Your folks place that drove me outta my mind
Cranked up the stereo, kicked it in park
And watched the smoke blow
With a angel left of me,
Devil to the right of me,
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim Beam
I ain't giving up I'm just giving in
To this beautiful mess we've always been
We're like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can't help but sing along
This ain't the end here we go again
Here we go again
The repetition of your little mission to catch me in some dirty lie
You call me out and ya scream and shout over some dumb shit you made up in your mind
It's sick and twisted that I'm so addicted to this hurting that you're putting on me
Like every time before I'm coming back for more
I'm beaten down I'm broken I'm torn
With a angel left of me,
Devil to the right of me
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim Beam
I ain't giving up I'm just giving in
To this beautiful mess we've always been
We're like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can't help but sing along
This ain't the end here we go again
Ah here we go again
Around and round and round we go,
Who wins who knows
Around and round and round we go,
Who wins who knows
With a angel left of me,
Devil to the right of me
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim beam
I ain't giving up I'm just giving in
To this beautiful mess we've always been
We're like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can't help but sing along
This ain't the end here we go again
Ah here we go again
In Gary Ray's song "Here We Go Again," the singer is struggling to move on from a past relationship. He slept in the bed of his truck because he couldn't stop thinking about the person he had left behind. They had told him to either love them or leave them, and he chose to leave. As he drives away, he passes their family's home and reflects on the pain and confusion he experienced during their relationship. He turns down a dirt road and listens to music, trying to find some solace in the moment. Despite feeling broken and torn, he can't help but feel drawn to this person and the toxic relationship they have.
The lyrics in this song convey a sense of desperation and confusion. The singer is struggling to let go of someone who has hurt him repeatedly, yet he is drawn to them inexplicably. It is a relatable theme for anyone who has been in a toxic relationship, and the lyrics suggest that sometimes, even when we know better, we can't help but go back to those who have hurt us. The repeated lyric "Here we go again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of their relationship, and the singer's inability to break free from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Slept in the bed of my truck
I couldn't forget about you, so I slept in my truck instead of going home.
Because I couldn't give up
I was too invested in us to just let go.
The chance to drink you off my mind
I wanted to get rid of my thoughts about you, so I gave myself the opportunity to drink.
You said: 'Love it or leave it!'
You gave me an ultimatum: either love everything about you or leave you completely.
Man I didn't need it
I didn't feel like I needed to stay and love everything about you.
So I left you in my tail lights
I drove away from you and never looked back.
Slammed on the gas, and headed down past
I floored the gas pedal and drove away from you quickly.
Your folks place that drove me outta my mind
Being around your family was too much for me to handle.
So I turned down a dirt road,
I turned off the main road and went on a more rural path.
Cranked up the stereo, kicked it in park
I turned up the volume on the radio and put the car in park.
And watched the smoke blow
I watched the smoke from my truck's exhaust float into the air.
With a angel left of me,
I had a good side to me, represented by an angel.
Devil to the right of me,
I had a bad side to me, represented by a devil.
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim Beam
I relaxed on the hood of my truck while drinking Jim Beam whiskey.
I ain't giving up I'm just giving in
I am not giving up on us, but I am submitting to the pattern of our relationship.
To this beautiful mess we've always been
Our relationship has always been chaotic, but it has a certain beauty to it.
We're like a sad song that goes on and on
Our relationship is like a depressing song that keeps playing on repeat.
Baby I can't help but sing along
Even though it hurts, I can't help but keep going along with our relationship issues.
This ain't the end here we go again
Our relationship is not yet over, and we are going through the same pattern again.
The repetition of your little mission to catch me in some dirty lie
You keep trying to catch me in a lie, but it is becoming a repetitive and petty mission.
You call me out and ya scream and shout over some dumb shit you made up in your mind
You get angry with me over things that are not even real, and it is frustrating.
It's sick and twisted that I'm so addicted to this hurting that you're putting on me
It is not healthy, but I am addicted to the pain that our relationship is causing me.
Like every time before I'm coming back for more
Even though I know it is not good for me, I can't help but come back to you.
I'm beaten down I'm broken I'm torn
Our relationship has left me emotionally damaged.
Around and round and round we go, Who wins who knows
Our relationship is a constant cycle, and it is unclear who will end up victorious.
Ah here we go again
We are starting the same cycle over again.
Contributed by Keira T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Maggie Bonds
Here We Go Again by Gary Ray
Slept in the bed of my truck
Because I couldn’t give up
The chance to drink you off my mind
You Said love it or leave it
Man I didn’t need it
So I left you in my tail lights
Slammed on the gas and headed down past
Your folks place that drove me outta my mind
So I turned down a dirt road,
Cranked up the stereo, kicked it in park
And watched the smoke blow
With a angel left of me, devil to the right of me
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim Beam
I ain’t giving up I’m just giving in
To this beautiful mess we’ve always been
We’re like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can’t help but sing along
This ain’t the end here we go again
Here we go again
The repetition of your little mission to catch me in some dirty lie
You call me out and ya scream and shout over some dumb shit you made up in your mind
It’s sick and twisted that I’m so addicted to this hurting that you’re putting on me
Like every time before I’m coming back for more
I’m beaten down I’m broken I’m torn
With a angel left of me, devil to the right of me
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim Beam
I ain’t giving up I’m just giving in
To this beautiful mess we’ve always been
We’re like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can’t help but sing along
This ain’t the end here we go again
Ah here we go again
Around and round and round we go, who wins who knows
Around and round and round we go, who wins who knows
With a angel left of me, devil to the right of me
Laid back on the hood drinking Jim beam
I ain’t giving up I’m just giving in
To this beautiful mess we’ve always been
We’re like a sad song that goes on and on
Baby I can’t help but sing along
This ain’t the end here we go again
Ah here we go again
Megan McCall
Awesome. Definitely my new favorite artist. Saw him in Savannah and got a cd. I was hooked after that. Look forward to seeing him again.
Brent Middleton
This is a HIT!!
Bryan Bennett
You sir Gary Ray are motivation to real life. Your words create real life wonder in the membrane haha
Carly Cook
I met this guy he is really nice :)
JOHN FISCHER
Gary nice to hear the final product, will post the making of this song in KEYS
markus black
Gary ray is my cousin hell yeah bro keep up the good work
Sydney Bouldin
This song makes me think if me and my boyfriend we alway end up Breakin up but after about a week we realize we can't live without eachother
Jo Neas
Love YOUre MUSIC ...
Tiffany Arbogast
I love this 3
Jimmy Roberts
Great man. Follows me on Twitter