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Play Ray
Making music
today for
tomorrow.

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Born and raised in Illinois, Ray Buchanan became a talented musician
known now as Play Ray. Play Ray grew up listening to Stevie Wonder,
Sam Cooke, Al Green, Shirley Ceasar, Edwin Hawkins, Michael
Jackson, Prince and Nat King Cole. Growing up in the church, and
singing in the choir, he soon became interested in playing the drums
and piano. It was just a matter of time before he’d become the main
church musician and in demand in his area.

In 1983, Play Ray became a member of “Uptown”, a Rockford, Illinois-
based band that played top 40 hits across the Midwest. A short time
later he received a call from a friend in Minneapolis, Minn. To play
keyboard in a band for Prince's former bass player, Andre Cymone's
female group called "The Girls".

Play Ray later joined Epic/CBS-signed group, Exotic Storm, which was
first managed by James Bryant. Exotic Storm was known for there hit
songs "Get with it" and "I'll Save You from the World". Exotic Storm
toured there freshmen project with greats such as Shalamar, Kool and
the Gang, The Time, West Side, Sounds of Blackness, Mazarati, Low
Key, and Gary Hines.

It was during this time that Play Ray began producing various groups,
artists, singers and bands. He did projects with Jamaica-based
reggae artist Norris Roberts, Sandra Behn from Fontana California
and Desiree Hubbard from St. Louis Park, Minn. While located in
Minnesota, Play Ray had the opportunity to play and work with all the
greats in the area which further advanced his future in music.

Play Ray then returned to Illinois, continued to produce and started in
Hip Hop and Rap music. Production soon started on a rap project from
the Chicago-based group B.O.A and the Rockford-based group Les
Fortunate. He also collaborated on a CD Project with producer Black
Gold. One song produced by Play Ray made the charts, "Smoke with
Me" which talked about how gang members should sit down and work
out there differences.

In 1994, Play Ray Productions was founded at which time several
groups were signed to the company. He later went back to his roots of
Gospel music, and went back on road where he opened for Diana
Reeves, while touring with Ann Nesby, his local gospel artist and his
RAMMI winning male choir for the church for which he was minister of
music. He also opened with Jackson Southernaires, Willie Neal and
The Gospel Key Notes, Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams, Mighty Clouds
of Joy, Shirley Caesar, John P. Kee and many more.

As Play Ray Productions continues to grow, I give thanks to the one
that gave me my gifts and talents. I also thank many friends,
musicians, and family for helping in their own way. A special thanks is
given to Jaynel Collins, Andre Richardson, Sam Goodloe, Joyce
Silletti, Rev Charles & Rosie Jarrett, Leo Dowthard Jr, Anthony Riley,
Rev Louis Malone, Rev Rob & Jesse Ellis for helping in my start