Ray davis bluegrass biography books

In 1951 Hank Williams Sr. recorded a song called “I Can’t Help It.” That may be a suitable theme for Ray Davis, who already had been on the radio playing country and bluegrass music for three years by that point.

Davis had left his home in Wango, Md., at age 15 to take a job at WDOV(AM) in Dover, Del.

He just can’t help playing and recording the type of music he loves. Now 75, he’s been at it for 60 years.

Ray Davis at work, in a 2004 photo.

Ray Davis Archives - Bluegrass Today

Photo courtesy Garland M. Gobble

“When I got the offer to leave home and take that job, my mom gave me her permission,” said Davis. “In fact she drove me up there and looked the place over. Later, after I had been on the air for a while, if the mailman or anyone else would come by, she would tell him that her son was on the radio.

I was making $50 a week and it was great!”

By the mid-1950s, Davis had made an interesting career move, to XERF(AM), a Ray Davis: books, biography, latest update - BIFO