Last Wednesday night, January 10, in Nashville, legendary country and comedy music artist Ray Stevens unveiled his two-year labor of love, the Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom.
The new 35,000 square foot dinner theatre was packed with artists, music industry execs, media personalities, and politicians who came out to support the man who literally helped to pave the way for Nashville’s music scene.
Those in attendance included Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Emery, the Gatlin Brothers, John Berry,Steve Wariner, Bill Anderson, TG Sheppard, Kelly Lang, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely,Sharon White, Don Schlitz, Fred Foster, Bobby Goldsboro, Harold Bradley, Jerry Kennedy,Johnny Lee, Lee Roy Parnell, Williams & Ree, Jeff Bates, Mandy Barnett, Teea Goans,Charlene Tilton, Mark Ford, Bob Clement, Don Sundquist, Charlie Monk, Bill Cody, Larry Black, and more.
“I haven’t been nervous on stage since I was a teenager. But boy was I nervous VIP night at CabaRay in front of all my friends,” says Stevens. “It was a big night!”
Stevens performed a 90-minute show which included many of his career hits including, “The Streak,” “Mississippi Squirrel Revival,” “Misty,” “Gitarzan,” “It’s Me Again Margaret,” “Shriner’s Convention,” and “Turn Your Radio On.” The music legend received a standing ovation following a performance of his 1970 #1 smash hit, “Everything is Beautiful.”
Earlier in the day, Stevens received a proclamation from Nashville Mayor Megan Barry declaring January 10 Ray Stevens Day in Music City, USA.
CabaRay opens to the general public this Thursday, January 18. Stevens will perform live three nights (Thursday-Saturday) weekly. Tickets are on-sale now at raystevenscabaray.com or by calling 615-327-4630. The venue is located at 5724 River Road in West Nashville.