Earlier this year we made mention of bluegrass/newgrass vocalist Ray Cardwell’s return to the music business after a number of years away, and today he has introduced his touring band, Tennessee Moon.
The group will feature Kyle Wood on mandolin, Richard Starkey on guitar, Kelsey Crews on banjo, and Michael Testagrossa on reso-guitar. Ray will play bass and handle the lead singing.
In addition to possessing an extremely powerful, John Cowan-like vocal prowess, Ray is also a talented songwriter. Cardwell has been working in the studio of late with former New Grass Revival guitarist Pat Flynn producing.
If the last name sounds familiar, Ray is brother to long time IBMA staff member and Executive Director, Nancy Cardwell, who is working with him on marketing and publicity. The two of them performed together in their family’s bluegrass band as teens, along with their sister, Susan, and their parents, Marvin and Wanda.
Ray Cardwell & Tennessee Moon is based in Nashville, and is accepting dates for 2016 and beyond. They are represented by BuckleDown Productions.
Here’s video of Ray singing a duet with John Cowan on the New Grass Revival classic, Angel Eyes, with Pat Flynn, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Marty Raybon, and Shadd Cobb in Nashville January 30.
