NASHVILLE, TN (May 1, 2025) — Kyle Ray announces the release of his fifth single, “River Song” — a track rooted in self-reflection and spiritual guidance — due out Friday, May 16. From the rolling hills of Barren County, Kentucky, Kyle carves his own path through the Americana landscape, fusing the grit of outlaw country with the soul-stirring harmonies of bluegrass, folk, and soul.

PRE-SAVE “RIVER SONG” HERE.

Premiering exclusively via The Bluegrass Situation on May 9, “River Song” was born out of a season of personal upheaval — after leaving a security job and realizing he couldn’t afford rent in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Kyle moved back home to Kentucky and took up tree work to get by.

“That summer was rough,” Kyle acknowledges. “I was eating once a day if I was lucky, living off of the tips I was given at work.” A nearby swimming hole became his sanctuary. “No music, no friends — just me, that river, and the Lord. It quickly became a place in my mind I’d run to when times got tough, and I wanted to try and capture what it felt like to sit there and reminisce about my childhood,” he adds.

Kyle Ray brings a new attitude to Americana — one rooted in tradition but unafraid to break the rules. With a raw, unbridled sound and a pen steeped in both beauty and heartbreak, Kyle’s music cuts to the core of the human experience — honest, unapologetic, and deeply felt. He moves effortlessly between weary acoustic ballads and raucous, foot-stomping anthems, capturing the full spectrum of grit and grace.

“I grew up broke and experienced a lot of tragedy in my early life, so I gravitated to music that was in search of truth and spoke of struggle,” Kyle reflects.

His recent release, “Love Me Tonight” (April 4), taps into the ache of a “right person, wrong time” crush — and it struck a chord fast, immediately landing on Spotify’s “All New Country” and “Fresh Finds Country” playlists. “I was crushing on a girl who, unfortunately, had a boyfriend,” Kyle reveals. “We had a bit of history, and I could tell she liked me back, but she never admitted it. I remember thinking, ‘Well hell, better write about this while the feeling is fresh. Might get something out of it at least.’”

Filmed live at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA, and hosted by Sheryl Crow, the “Love Me Tonight” performance video premiered via Salt Lick Sessions and captures the unfiltered spirit of the song. With Kyle Ray on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Rachminov holding down the low end on bass, Malcolm Striker trading licks on guitar and banjo, Simon Holden-Schrock picking the mandolin, and Juan Paez driving the rhythm on drums, the band breathes soul and grit into every note.

Raised on a rich tapestry of sound, Kyle’s childhood was steeped in everything from doo-wop and Motown to southern soul and classic rock. Meanwhile, the church his family attended was filled with the unfiltered sounds of hill-folk bluegrass. Growing up in the same town that birthed Cage the Elephant, Kyle and his childhood friends found inspiration in bands like Alabama Shakes, The Strokes, and their hometown heroes. At the same time, they cut their teeth on Zeppelin, the Eagles, Skynyrd, and Sabbath — soaking up classic rock’s raw, untamed energy. Layering that foundation with the storytelling grit of Chris Stapleton, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, and Tyler Childers, Kyle forged a sound that bridges the soulful swagger of rock with the heart and honesty of Americana and country.

Kyle’s songwriting is intensely personal, drawing from his experiences of hardship, beauty, and faith. “Whether that be the beauty I’ve found, the hurt I’ve felt, or the comfort in the Lord I’ve experienced, I want it written,” he says. His music reflects a range of influences, from his father — “a killer vocalist and a grease monkey” who would sing along to the radio in the garage — to the mountain folk of his church.

As Kyle looks ahead, he hopes his music resonates with listeners on a deeper level. “I hope that people find hope and peace in my music, or answers to questions that no one around them can answer,” he expresses. “At the very least, I hope my music makes people feel seen. I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling like no one really knows or sees me. I know how important it is to feel that.”

A 2024 Bourbon & Beyond performer, Kyle is gearing up for a big year in 2025, setting the stage for an even bigger 2026, packed with new music, captivating performances, and more chances to connect with his ever-growing audience. With graduation from Berklee College of Music this May, he’s setting his sights on Nashville, eager to carve out his place in the music scene.

“There’s going to be more music, more shows, and hopefully more of y’all. I hope to meet y’all soon,” Kyle concludes, inviting his fans to delve into the intricate tapestry of his sound and join him as his musical mosaic continues to unfold.

KYLE RAY ONLINE:

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