Bill Wray (composer)
Encyclopedia
Bill Wray is an American
musician, composer and producer. His performing career spanned the mid 1970s through the early 1980s. Since then he has written and produced a variety of artists from hair metal to cajun
. He is the brother of fellow musician/composer Jim Wray.
. Wray and his brother Jim wrote most of the hits ("One in a Million", "Surrender") on Trixter
's debut album.
Producer of EFX
at MGM Grand
Casino, the most expensive and largest scaled theater installation in the world. Stars rotated through every two years were Michael Crawford
, David Cassidy
, Tommy Tune
and Rick Springfield
, the last three were during Wray's tenure.
Bill Wray used to play at the old Dynasty Club and Common Ground in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. There was also the Bill Wray Band which included Greg Worley. As an artist, Wray opened for such artists as Foreigner
, Toto
, Rick Springfield
, The Kinks
, BTO
, Peter Frampton
and Joe Cocker
.
Wray produced Driven2Rock at the MGM Grand
which gave custom inlaid Melancon Guitars to stars such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Britney Spears
and Michael Waltrip
on March 5 and 6th 2004.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician, composer and producer. His performing career spanned the mid 1970s through the early 1980s. Since then he has written and produced a variety of artists from hair metal to cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
. He is the brother of fellow musician/composer Jim Wray.
Music career
Bill Wray has written the songs "Fool for Your Love" and "So Close" for Diana RossDiana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
. Wray and his brother Jim wrote most of the hits ("One in a Million", "Surrender") on Trixter
Trixter
Trixter is an American hard rock band from Paramus, New Jersey. The band achieved moderate success in the late 1980's and early 1990s but disbanded for several years as glam metal lost mainstream popularity...
's debut album.
Producer of EFX
EFX (show)
EFX was a Las Vegas production show residing at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino which opened on March 23, 1995 and closed January 1, 2003. When it premiered, it was the most expensive and largest scaled theatre installation in the world. A significant entertainment landmark of the strip for nearly 8...
at MGM Grand
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
Casino, the most expensive and largest scaled theater installation in the world. Stars rotated through every two years were Michael Crawford
Michael Crawford
Michael Crawford OBE is an English actor and singer. He has garnered great critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his career, which covers radio, television, film, and stagework on both London's West End and on Broadway in New York City...
, David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
, Tommy Tune
Tommy Tune
Thomas James "Tommy" Tune is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won nine Tony Awards and the National Medal of Arts.-Early years:...
and Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield is an Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a member of pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971 and then started his solo career with his début single "Speak to the Sky" reaching the top 10 in Australia. In mid-1972, he relocated to the United States...
, the last three were during Wray's tenure.
Bill Wray used to play at the old Dynasty Club and Common Ground in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. There was also the Bill Wray Band which included Greg Worley. As an artist, Wray opened for such artists as Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
, Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield is an Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a member of pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971 and then started his solo career with his début single "Speak to the Sky" reaching the top 10 in Australia. In mid-1972, he relocated to the United States...
, The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, BTO
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Bachman–Turner Overdrive is a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg, Manitoba, that had a series of hit albums and singles in the 1970s, selling over 7 million albums in that decade alone. Their 1970s catalog included five Top 40 albums and six Top 40 singles...
, Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
and Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
.
Wray produced Driven2Rock at the MGM Grand
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
which gave custom inlaid Melancon Guitars to stars such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
and Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
on March 5 and 6th 2004.
Composed songs for
- Lisa HartmanLisa HartmanLisa Hartman is an American actress and singer.After some minor television appearances, Lisa Hartman starred in the short-lived Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha during 1977-78...
- Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- God Street WineGod Street WineGod Street Wine was a jam rock group from New York City. The band broke up in 1999. The band toured the U.S. with H.O.R.D.E. four times and opened for the Black Crowes and Allman Brothers...
- EFX (show)EFX (show)EFX was a Las Vegas production show residing at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino which opened on March 23, 1995 and closed January 1, 2003. When it premiered, it was the most expensive and largest scaled theatre installation in the world. A significant entertainment landmark of the strip for nearly 8...
- Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- TrixterTrixterTrixter is an American hard rock band from Paramus, New Jersey. The band achieved moderate success in the late 1980's and early 1990s but disbanded for several years as glam metal lost mainstream popularity...
- Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
- Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
- Courtesy AMG
Songs composed by (officially credited)
- Song - Artist
- 'Till My Heart Stops Beating - Lisa HartmanLisa HartmanLisa Hartman is an American actress and singer.After some minor television appearances, Lisa Hartman starred in the short-lived Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha during 1977-78...
- Angeline - God Street WineGod Street WineGod Street Wine was a jam rock group from New York City. The band broke up in 1999. The band toured the U.S. with H.O.R.D.E. four times and opened for the Black Crowes and Allman Brothers...
- Apotheosis (Final Dance) - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFXEFX (show)EFX was a Las Vegas production show residing at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino which opened on March 23, 1995 and closed January 1, 2003. When it premiered, it was the most expensive and largest scaled theatre installation in the world. A significant entertainment landmark of the strip for nearly 8...
- Back to the Future - Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- Better Day - Eric MartinEric MartinEric Lee Martin is an American rock singer/musician active throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s both as a solo artist and as a member of various bands. He earned his most prominent success as the frontman for the hard rock/glam metal band Mr...
- Big Bang Theory - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- Borderline Blues - Little Feat
- Bullet in the Chamber - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Burning - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Cadillac Hotel - Little Feat
- Cajun Rage - Little Feat
- Change - Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
- Dancing at Double d's - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Destination Heartbreak - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Down in Congo Square - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Drivin' Blind - Little Feat
- Eclipse - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- EFX (Bring On The Dream) - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Friday Night - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Gone Too Soon - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- Heart of Steel - TrixterTrixterTrixter is an American hard rock band from Paramus, New Jersey. The band achieved moderate success in the late 1980's and early 1990s but disbanded for several years as glam metal lost mainstream popularity...
- How Many Rivers? - Lisa HartmanLisa HartmanLisa Hartman is an American actress and singer.After some minor television appearances, Lisa Hartman starred in the short-lived Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha during 1977-78...
- In Dreams - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Intergalactic Circus of Wonders - 1996 and 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- It's A Wonderful Life - Diana Ross
- Lead a Double Life - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Let it Shine, Pts 1 & 2 - 1996 & 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- No Mercy - 1990 LionheartLionheart (film)Lionheart is a 1990 film, directed by Sheldon Lettich, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and co-starring Brian Thompson...
soundtrack - One in a Million - Trixter
- Only Young Once - Trixter
- Play Rough - Trixter
- Prologue - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Ride the Whip - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Rock & Roll Everynight - Little Feat
- Roll Me - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Shockwaves - Diana Ross
- So Close - Diana Ross
- Song and Dance Man - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Steal the Thunder - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Surrender - Trixter
- Tempt Me (If You Want To) - Navy SEALsNavy SEALs (film)Navy SEALs is a 1990 action film, directed by Lewis Teague, written by Chuck Pfarrer and Gary Goldman, and produced by Brenda Feigen and Bernard Williams with consultant William Bradley.-Plot:...
Soundtrack / Lisa HartmanLisa HartmanLisa Hartman is an American actress and singer.After some minor television appearances, Lisa Hartman starred in the short-lived Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha during 1977-78... - Tender Kiss - Lisa HartmanLisa HartmanLisa Hartman is an American actress and singer.After some minor television appearances, Lisa Hartman starred in the short-lived Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha during 1977-78...
- The Curtain Call - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- The Wedge - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- Thin Line - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- This Could Be the Night - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Too Much Too Soon - LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Trouble Walkin' - Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
- What a Night - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- When You Believe (Lullaby) - 1999 Las Vegas Cast EFX
- When You Dream - Diana Ross
- Where Did We Go Wrong - Diana Ross
- You'll Never See My Cryin' - Trixter
- Zydeco Jump - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
Own albums
- Bill Wray (1976 MCA/legend 2188 Leon Medica performs on album)ASIN: B000RZQKM0
- Seize the Moment (1983 Liberty LT-51140 Produced by John Ryan for Chicago Kid Productions)
- Bill Wray and His Show Band Royale (songs Ooo Baby, Baby and Morning Dew, Warner Brothers-Seven Arts #7317, other artists: Jim Chiek)
- Fire and Ice (1981 Liberty LT-1098)
- Louisiana Rain (Liberty)
- Takin My Time (MCA 40611)
- Pinball, That's All - Tilt (film) soundtrack. Made Billboard top 100 (hit 96 for two weeks starting 5/19/1979 ABC 12449) Other songs for film: My Music, Where Were You, Don't Stop the Music, Rock and Roll Rodeo, Melody Man, Friends, Mercedes Morning, Koala Shuffle.
- Unknown Album 1979 - Don't Stop the Music, Friends, Long Road to Texas, Melody Man, My Music, Pinball That's All, Rock N Roll Rodeo, Where Were You
- Goin' Down/(You're A) Heartbreaker (1983 Liberty 1491 or SP225) - single
- River City (1976 7" single MCA 40576
- Takin' My Time/Same (1976 single MCA 40611)
- Louisiana Rain (???? Liberty 1428) - single
Other credits
- Year - Album - Artist - Credit
- 1979 - Tilt (film) IMDB - Original Soundtrack - Vocals, Composition, Music Arranger, pinball machine music [ AMG] ABC 1114
- 1983 - Private School (aka Private School for Girls)Private School (film)Private School is a 1983 teen oriented sex comedy film, directed by Noel Black.-Cast :* Phoebe Cates as Christine Ramsey* Betsy Russell as Jordan Leigh-Jenson* Matthew Modine as Jim Green...
- Bandleader - actor and performer on soundtrack East World (WPT-90) - 1983 - Break Out - The Pointer Sisters - uncredited project work with producer Richard PerryRichard PerryRichard Perry is an American music producer. Perry began as a performer in his adolescence, but shifted gears after graduating college and rose through the late 1960s and early 1970s to become a highly successful and popular record producer with over a dozen gold records to his credit by 1982...
- 1984 - 1100 Bel Air Place - Julio IglesiasJulio IglesiasJulio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
- uncredited project work with producer Richard PerryRichard PerryRichard Perry is an American music producer. Perry began as a performer in his adolescence, but shifted gears after graduating college and rose through the late 1960s and early 1970s to become a highly successful and popular record producer with over a dozen gold records to his credit by 1982... - 1985 - Private ResortPrivate ResortPrivate Resort is a 1985 comedy film, directed by George Bowers and written by Gordon Mitchell, Ken Segall, and Alan Wenkus. The film starred the then-unknown Rob Morrow , Johnny Depp and Andrew Dice Clay.-Plot:...
- Original Soundtrack - composer "Ba Ba Ben", "Caribbean Heat", "Postcards", "Summer Eve" - 1990 - Navy Seals - Original Soundtrack - Producer
- 1990 - Trixter - TrixterTrixterTrixter is an American hard rock band from Paramus, New Jersey. The band achieved moderate success in the late 1980's and early 1990s but disbanded for several years as glam metal lost mainstream popularity...
- Producer - 1990 - Lionheart (film)Lionheart (film)Lionheart is a 1990 film, directed by Sheldon Lettich, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and co-starring Brian Thompson...
- Original Soundtrack - "No Mercy" performer - 1992 - Snake Bite Love - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Background vocals - 1994 - In the Hot Seat - Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
- Background vocals - 1995 - Ain't Had Enough Fun - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- Producer - 1996 - Live From Neon Park - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- Producer - 1996 - Pompatus of Love - Original Soundtrack - Producer
- 1997 - From The Beginning: Retrospective - Greg LakeGreg LakeGregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
- Background vocals - 1997 - God Street Wine - God Street WineGod Street WineGod Street Wine was a jam rock group from New York City. The band broke up in 1999. The band toured the U.S. with H.O.R.D.E. four times and opened for the Black Crowes and Allman Brothers...
- Arranger, Sound Effects, Producer, Mixing - 1998 - Rock and Roll Doctor: Lowell GeorgeLowell GeorgeLowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
Tribute - Various Artists - Producer - 1998 - Somewhere in the Middle - Eric Martin (singer) - Producer, Mixing
- 1999 - Arrhythmia - Jack Mack and the Heart Attack - Producer
- 2000 - Hotcakes and Outtakes: 30 Years of Little Feat - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- Producer, Assistant Engineer, Production Consultant - 2000 - Silver Jubilee: Best of Zachary Richard 1973-1998 - Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
- Producer - 2002 - Sidekick - Everyone's Hero - Producer
- 2004 - Destroy All Monsters - Eric Martin (singer) - Producer
- 2006 - Best of Little Feat - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
- Producer, Original Recording Producer