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Ray Morris (Tango Ray)

I attribute my style of playing from experiencing many cultures and traveling extensively at a young age. So many influences of music and people produced a creativity that has endured and expanded with me over my career. I knew then that performing was what I needed to do to be self-fulfilling. So I began singing and playing guitar. I started by picking a nylon string guitar and eventually began performing with an electric acoustic, with an accompaniment of drums and harmonica I was able to create a full band sound and have the ability to entertain as a solo artist.

1980    

Some of the highlights of my career have included:

1981

I performed with Arlo Guthrie for the Save the Turtles Benefit, a cause I believe needs attention drawn to it. Since then I have played many benefits for different charitable organizations.

1982-1987  

Performed with the band Cheap Dates, a classic rock band made up of seasoned musicians in the local Palm Beach area. The band went on to win Battle of the Bands produced by Fantazma Productions of South Florida.

1987

Utilizing my poolside hotel gigs, I created the Best Body on the Beach Contest. This contest grew quickly with many national sponsors. I emceed, produced and managed the contest for eight years, which boosted my popularity in the music scene. By producing this event I was involved in many stages of planning the music, advertising and sponsorships. A great experience.

1987-1991

Began singing and playing guitar in a new band called 1-800, which consisted of great local performers. Classic rock was the base for a set list that eventually became mixed with some of our more obscure material. It seemed to bring our fans into a cult group of followers that, to this day I am reminded of with pride. A great group of players!

We went on to open for Eddie Rabbit at Arti-Gras of the Palm Beaches.

1991-1996

All the while 1-800 was making creative strides, I began performing solo at the Hilton of Palm Beach. A great venue to play for showbiz greats like Gallager and Smokey Robinson and others.

After writing original material for 20 years I felt it was time to record. In 1997, I recorded my first CD titled "Tango Me" by Ray Morris. A compilation of songs that I had written throughout my career and also some newly written material. (Song #8, “Shrimp Cocktail” was used in a commercial for a local restaurant.) It was great to get the real feel for recognition for my music.

1999

With the CD selling successfully I was able to  hook up with other great players in the recording arena. I began performing regularly at the Coral Sky Amphitheater (now known as Mars Music Amphitheater), a venue that attracts many national artists to the Palm Beaches.

In 1999, I was able to be the V.I.P. entertainment for John Couger. In 2000, I was also V.I.P. entertainment for Skid Row, Ted Nugent and Kiss/The Cure.

2000

After selling 1000 CD’s, cutting another 1000 copies hoping to sell many online with my linked websites nationally  (http://Tangoray.net), This will enable me to finish my new CD. I am currently recording my second CD, Body & Sin, due out 2001. I am enjoying the ability to lay down tracks and build songs from a simple idea to have on CD forever. I was able to recruit Johnny "Bee" on keyboards who had played on the first CD, along with Ed  Schaeferle on drums, Ed and I were in 1-800 together. Also from 1-800, I am excited to have John Smotherman . laying down some of the sweetest lead tracks and Jeff Livingston on bass and harmony. Every time we all get together it's like magic on stage.

Members

Johnny "Bee" Beers

Key Boards, Vocals , Harmony

Johnny studied under some well-seasoned musicians throughout his young career. He has been a working musician from Bethany Beach, Delaware to Washington D.C. to Ocean City, Maryland for 35 years. He is accomplished in classical to standards, to rock.  Delaware was a venue that gave John the access to apply his talents by basically running the country club gigs as well as being the wedding master. John moved to the Palm Beaches in the late 80’s and started playing the local circuit. In 1993, we were introduced and hit it off right away. We began playing as a duo. When the first CD project became a reality, of course he was included. John has an energetic style of tickling the ivories whether it is performing standards or cutting loose on rock and roll. We have always mixed well on our vocals. John has an uncanny way of picking the harmony that best suits the songs. It is always a pleasure and some of the best musical moments I have ever experienced on stage, playing with Johnny "Bee" Beers. We have already  teamed up for my new CD project. I always welcome John’s input and hope it will bring success for the next CD.

Ed Schaeferle

Percussionist

Ed is a percussionist I have preformed with for many years. In the late 80’s, I was introduced to him while auditioning for lead singer in the band we ended up calling 1-800. It was a very successful band that covered classic rock to some of the more obscure songs that Ed usually introduced to the band.  When the CD project was ready, I enlisted Ed to play drum tracks on it. The only percussionist I have ever performed with that could keep a steady tempo and had a sweet style that became a great backbone to apply all the other tracks. Ed has a great presence on stage as well as the discipline in the studio. Definitely a great addition to the group of musicians that helped me so much on Tango Me.

Michael B. Sims

Bass, Harmony, Vocals

Michael played bass and helped on harmony vocals on the first album. I appreciate all the effort that he extended to pull the sound together.  

Bill Rhodes

Recording Engineer

Bill is one of the finest musician/engineer/producers I have ever met. As a jazz recording artist and well schooled in the engineering field, he was nice enough to come in at the end of the recording process and put a great mix down on the CD. Without his effort it would have not gone together like it did, I am reminded of this every time I listen to it. I have promised to include him in my upcoming CD, I am excited to have him involved. We began recording in April 2001 at Echo Beach Studios in Jupiter, Florida.

Extra Bits of Interest  

Silverado Studios in West Palm Beach, Florida, was very receptive to our needs and therefore, making it easy to keep a creative flow throughout the recording process. Bubba Sanderford and his father make a nice team. (Audio & Video)  

Artwork on the CD took months of preparation before we constructed a finished product. Special thanks to Jim L. Sandeford Sr. at Silverado Studios for having an open mind and patience with me. It was a gamble to do the artwork and cover ourselves but I think it came out very professional and original. It was a lot of fun.

Steve and Shelly Mogel

If someone would ask me who the president of the Tango Ray Fan Club (if there was such a thing), it would be Steve and Shelley. They followed my career giving me support by showing up at most gigs. Steve would be my worst critic, by making sure I sang all the lyrics to the songs.

Support and help throughout my career was given by my family that unselfishly was behind me all the way. You Do It Right was a song given to my mother for her birthday. I was very proud of the song and I wanted her to have it. Ray and Claudette Morris are two people who love life and shared that attitude with me. Their support gives me the incentive to keep pickin’ and grinning.