Biography

Tony Ray Jones was born in Baton Rouge LA. but grew up in Mobile Alabama most of his life, where he played almost every venue that he could play in and around the Gulf Coast area. His Dad came home one night real late after work he remembers, and had bought an electric guitar & an old Alamo amp. Daddy said he wanted us boys to learn how to play this thing! Well we all tried for a while, and It seemed as if Daddy knew what he was doing, because I was hooked from the beginning.
In Tony's household he listened to Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Roger Miller, and many other artist. He would get his guitar out every time The Johnny Cash Show would come on, and try to make his Daddy proud by playing that famous Luther Perkins lick on Folsom Prison Blues. Those early years helped Tony form his own style and what makes a performer stand out. From age 12 he continued to play and sing every chance he could get the music became a refuge for him and he began to develop over the years.

As a child Tony had dreams of being a singer and musician, even as child, He saw himself standing before large crowds of people, making them laugh, singing the songs that touched their hearts, yet he had no idea how to make it all happen.

Over the years his life and professional career became a reality. In 1978 Tony began playing professionally with bands in Mobile, Alabama, Gulf Shores Alabama, and the surrounding area, soon found himself right in the middle of full time Music Biz . What a time that was!

With his dreams in my heart, he traveled all over the Southeast & west playing every venue that would let him play. But his dream was to go to Nashville Tennessee and make the big plunge. So in 1989 he moved to Nashville and landed an audition and was hired by Opryland Talent Agency and went on to perform on the General Jackson Showboat and Opryland Hotel for 4 years.
Starting a Duo with friend and musician Greg Davis he met while playing on the General Jackson Showboat, Tony also impersonates many country artist and different voices in his shows, as they become a known act at Opryland Hotel the Pickin Parlor, and thru out the Hotel venues.

Tony made his way as an artist and demo singer in Nashville and in 1990 -1995, and also recorded his first Album called Three Wishes during this time he hit the road on his own and began to open shows for artist like Willie Nelson, Ed Bruce, Dan Seals, as many up and coming artist opened for numerous artist over the years.
As well as being a gifted Musician, Tony has focused most of his time these days on songwriting, and started his own publishing company TRAYJ Music Publishing and Backwoods demo studio in Nashville, where he continues to perform out at songwriter venues in and around Nashville.