Ray attended the University of Houston on music scholarship while studying mathematics. After his freshman year he set aside the bass while completing studies in mathematics and law. After law school he took up the bass again in 1978 and by 1980 was playing professionally again. During his hiatus from playing the bass he studied the classical guitar for 7 years.
As a double bassist, his professional music experience spans the last 30 years. During that time he has regularly played symphonic, opera, ballet, chamber music, musical theatre, jazz, country, big band jazz, and latin music. He also plays the electric bass guitar.
He has regularly contracted with orchestras throughout central Texas. For approximately 2 years he was an active free lance bassist in the Boston area. He is frequently contracted to play as principal. He is currently the principal bass in the Mid Texas Symphony; he has been with that orchestra since 1990, and he has been the principal bass there since 1991.
