2021 was a successful year for Country singer Michael Ray with the release of his EP, Higher Education, but according to the 33-year-old, that was just a warm-up for what’s to come in 2022.
Listen to your favorite music now on Audacy curated for fans, by fans like Audacy New Country, and more!
This week, Audacy hosts Rob + Holly got a chance to chat with the now chart-topping "Whiskey and Rain" singer about what's in store, his love of the craft, and even found out which artist he first got to witness in a live setting -- and boy was it a doozy!
At just 12 years old, Michael told us about the time he got a chance to see the G.O.A.T., Garth Brooks, perform in Orlando, Fl, and for him (just like anyone else who has seen Garth live), it was a life-changing moment.
MORE: Michael Ray on Seeing Garth Brooks Live
"Ill never forget it," Michael says. "It was probably day five of his 20 date stint in Orlando. I was playing with my grandfather's band at the time, and the guitar was starting to work, actually being able to play. Being able to see him, and when he played 'The Dance,' he just held the entire arena in the palm of his hand. I remember watching thinking, 'I wanna do that! I don"t know what level I'll do it at, but I want to do that.' I want to be able to take people away from life or bills or whatever. It just really stuck with me as a kid watching that, seeing him take however many thousands of people on this journey with him."
Of course, it's not just music that's a big part of Michael's world. He also told us about what he likes to do during some downtime, although we wouldn't exactly call it rest and relaxation.
MORE: Gator Hunting with Michael Ray
Michael likes to go hunting, sometimes for ducks, sometimes for gators, explaining that his biggest catch was a leftover dinosaur ten and a half feet long. "It's an adrenaline rush," he tells Rob and Holly, after inviting them both down to Florida to hop on one of their own.
Something tells us neither of them will be taking him up on his kind(?) offering.
MORE: Listen to Rob + Holly's full interview with Michael Ray below.
Kick-off the weekend with Rob + Holly on your favorite Audacy Country stations Friday nights at 7PM. Plus, be sure to get your votes in for Rob + Holly's daily Top 7 @ 7 countdown!
Related
Check out and favorite some of our all-new exclusive Country stations like Audacy New Country, Tailgate Crashers, Jake Owen's Tiki Tonk, Country Edge, and Katie Neal's Leading Ladies for more of the best from the female side of Country music.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram