Ray started his playing career with the Salavtion Army back in the days when shep was a pup! He started his brass band playing career in his late 20's when he was asked to join the Patchog Plymouth Band (formally Crookhall Colliery) based in Consett, Co.Durham. WIth them, Ray was part of the Band that won the 1973 Grand Shield Contest playing Verdi's La Forza Del Destino (The Force of Destiny). He spent a memorable five years with them at one point playing assistant principal cornet to a youthful Alan Morrison. Ray has also enjoyed playing spells at Ashington Colliery, Every Ready and Northumbria Police.

Ray's conducting career started with Ashington Colliery Band as assistant conductor before he was invited to join Harton & Westoe Band where he was asked to become the Musical Director in the late 1970's. He had many successes with the Band on the concert & contesting platforms. Whilst at 'Harton', Ray had the opportunity to coach many young players who are now some of the finest talents in the world of Brass Bands today including one gentleman, ex Black Dyke and Grimethorpe bass player, David Nesbitt who now is his son in law!

Ray's name over the years has become synonymous with the Felling Band. He has had involvement with the Band from the early 1980's when he was asked to become the Band's Musical Director. He quickly improved the Band and regularly won prizes at competions at local and national levels. In 2004, Ray decided to hang up his baton to make way for the Band's current Muscial Director Graeme Tindall.

Ray is married to Carole, probably one of the most understanding of Brass Band wives. He has three daughters, Sharon, Raey and Kathleen who all play brass and has four grandchildren who will no doubt also learn to play brass if Ray has his way.

Apart from banding, Ray's other passion is sailing. He has his own boat and during the spring and summer months can be found sailing around the west coast of Scotland.