• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu

Veteran Nashville Broadcaster Norm Ray Passes

April 19, 2010/0 Comments/in Featured, Sales/Marketing /by Robert K Oermann

Noted Nashville instrumentalist and veteran radio and television broadcaster Norm Ray died Saturday, April 17, at age 73.
He is perhaps best remembered for the wit and humor he displayed for 20 years on the Ralph Emery Morning Show, WSM’s The Waking Crew and for the 10 years he spent in the house band on TNN’s Nashville Now. For a time, he was also the host of WSMV’s The Saturday Morning Show.

A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, Norm Ray began playing saxophone at age 5. He started his recording career in the Motown studios in Detroit, backing The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and other r&b stars. He moved to Nashville in 1965, joining Orchestra XII, one of the city’s last big bands.

In 1967, he broke into recording-studio work on Music Row by performing on the Elvis Presley soundtrack for Clambake. He subsequently recorded with Chet Atkins, Ray Stevens, Boots Randolph and others. He also played saxophone and flute in Randolph’s nightclub band.

Norm Ray is survived by his children Sherry Rau Carver, Norman Rau and Andrew Rau and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Darius Rucker Makes A ‘Soul Stirring’ Cover Of Rihanna Ballad - February 16, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kane & Katelyn Brown Get Us ‘Giddy’ With Love - February 9, 2023
  • Hit Songwriter Pat Bunch Passes - February 8, 2023
Tags: Lifenotes, Musicians
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2010-04-19 12:21:552010-04-19 12:21:55Veteran Nashville Broadcaster Norm Ray Passes
You might also like
Updates: Gina Hilburn, Laura Huie, Heather and Bobby Young, Beckett Service
Gibson Luthier Hutchins Passes
LifeNotes: Scotty Turner
Lifenotes: James D. Walbert
Lifenotes: CRS Founder Tom McEntee
Hall of Fame To Honor Eddie Bayers
0 replies
  1. John Rickman
    John Rickman says:
    April 20, 2010 at 5:34 pm

    Norm was a good fellow and one a kind. I will always remember his hardy laugh and quick wit. I had wondered about Norm and am saddened to hear about him this way. We, the musical trio, “us two and him”, were on the Ralph Show with him and he was our pal. JR

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Allison Smith Upped To VP, Promotion At Big Machine/John Varvatos Records February 21, 2023
  • Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Test The Winds With ‘Weathervanes’ This Summer February 21, 2023
  • Nickel Creek Returns With New Album & Headline Tour For Spring February 21, 2023
  • ACM & Black Music Action Coalition Partner To Launch OnRamp Program February 21, 2023
  • CMA, Discovery Education Offer Students New Virtual CMA Awards Field Trip February 21, 2023
  • Bryce Sherlow, Benji Amaefule Step Into A&R Manager Roles At Warner Chappell February 21, 2023
  • My Music Row Story: Neon Coast’s Martha Earls February 21, 2023
  • One Country Taps Chase Locke As CEO February 20, 2023
  • Joy Oladokun Announces New Album, ‘Proof of Life,’ Due Out This Spring February 20, 2023
  • Billy Gilman Joins Bluegrass World With Pinecastle Records Deal February 20, 2023
  • Morgan Wallen Hits No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart February 20, 2023
  • Kristian Bush Gears Up For Final Installment Of ’52’ Album Series In March February 20, 2023
  • Jelly Roll Announces 44-City Headlining ‘Backroad Baptism Tour’ February 20, 2023
  • Ashley McBryde Invites Audiences To ‘Lindeville’ At The Ryman For Two Nights February 20, 2023
  • Tripp Howell Signs Joint Pub Deal With Jimmie Allen, Endurance Music Group February 20, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top