Debo Ray

Couple of fun gigs last week! First sharing the stage with accomplished authors and singers with a sold out crowd of folks who really listen - such a pleasure! Thanks to and everyone. And such an honor to have catch my set and meet after to exchange CDs. Then, on to for a fun night with my rockin’ full band. .olsen. S’cuse me y’all while I nap!

Throwback to 1994, singing with my Mom in Church and fast forward to now. My Mom and Dad were both good singers. Guessing they might not have envisioned what was to come!

We’ll be doing the “now” part at this Saturday night, 5/23 along with .olsen & . Hope to see all my NYC homies and fans at this very cool room. Let’s Go!!

I love working as a duo with guitarist . Scott’s as comfortable plugged into a Marshall as he is in a laid back setting and we can read each other well.

We had a great time performing the song Crazy by live on last year. We’ll be doing the same this Wednesday, 5/6 at as part of the . Two authors, two singers. One great night!

Where does the inspiration come from? What’s the point? How do feelings and experiences become music?

I was fortunate to be approached by at to be a part of their Soul Movers campaign which looks into these important questions and the artistic process in general. They came to where we were doing a live recording of my song Make It Better which will be releasing later this year.

Full video is on my YT channel . With . Additional footage by

Was hypnotized by a strange delight, under a lilac tree..." This gorgeous song, Lilac Wine, by James Shelton in 1950 and recorded by two of my faves and will be on the set list when and I perform at at , Wednesday evening May 6th.

Two authors reading from their books and two singers singing their songs. Looking forward to it! Tickets still available through the Regattabar site.

The slave auction scene in the Jonah People opera was a tough one needless to say. I had to do a lot to mentally prepare myself during rehearsals with the help of the very supportive cast and crew.
My character, Asase, showed incredible strength and resilience in the face of the horrible brutality she endured. I was able to immerse myself in that part of her in order to do it justice. If you would like to know more about this powerful production, I’ve posted a link to a review in my bio.

Three years ago this month I was privileged to be a part of an original opera The Jonah People composed by Hannibal Lokumbe, an epic tale about the African American experience from slavery to the Jazz Age.

Hannibal found me from a Google search and I spent an amazing two weeks working him and the Nashville Symphony with a full choir at Symphony Hall. Here's the sugar cane harvesting scene from dress rehearsal. More to come!

Ever been down so long you questioned whether and how you’d ever get out of it? Yeah, me too.

I wrote “A Flicker” (along with my co-writers Jerry Velona & Prince Charles Alexander) to try to capture the delicious moments when there was a spark, (a flicker?) where things seemed possible again.

It’s a magic moment and one I’ve been able to use to move further along on my journey of recovery. The song releases everywhere a week from today.

More to come! In the meantime, I’d love to hear your stories in the comments sections.

Heart songs are always a blast to perform! The Wilson sisters & are such badasses! From a recent show at with my Band of Bros .bman & . Full video on my YT channel . Beautifully shot and edited by Pat Hanlin

Conway, New Hampshire... you showed up and you showed OUT.

This was my first show outside of Massachusetts and it felt like exactly where we were supposed to be. The energy in that room at was something else. Thank you to every single person who came out and let us do what we love.
“Going Down” live hits different. If you know, you know.
None of this happens without this incredible band: 🎸 🎸 🎹 .olsen 🥁 🎤 🎤
Big thank you to for making this happen and for having us.

The Debo Ray Experience is a show you don’t want to miss... and we have SO many dates lined up for 2026. Boston and beyond. Stay tuned. 🔥

ConwayNH ConwayMajesticTheater

Going Down live is a VIBE! We arranged it so it gets real gritty and intense to match the song's message. We'll be performing this one at theater in New Hampshire this coming Saturday, 3/28. Also will be at in Newmarket on Saturday, 4/11. Hope to see all our NH peeps 🖤 Rehearsal with .olsen .