We recently connected with Zach Ray and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Zach with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I started learning from my dad at an early age. There’s a scripture that says if you don’t work, you don’t eat and I like to eat! My dad learned his work ethic from my grandpa. He worked for the Post Office and would deliver mail in the mornings then come home and work on the farm until the evening and then wake up and do it all over again.
When I was old enough to run a push mower around the age of 10 that became my new job. My dad served in the Air Force so anytime he was deployed I tried my best to keep things going when he was gone. I remember one time our riding mower was down so I had to push mow about 2 acres which was not fun, but it had to be done. In junior high we moved out to some land that my dad bought. It was a 40 acre piece of property and again the mowing was apart of my job description.
I took the work ethic I had so far and applied it to sports and I played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. Just about every Friday night football game was followed by getting up on Saturday morning and working all day long. I was fortunate enough to play division 2 football in college and be apart of the music department at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. It took some hard work to manage school, sports, and music but I was able to do it.
I’m using my work ethic a lot especially these days. My wife and I have been living in Nashville for the last 7 years to pursue music. I worked at a lumberyard when we first moved here, and I also worked as farm hand to make ends meet while I got started in the music business. I am now a full time singer/songwriter and the work is just as hard. I am getting to do what I love which is a huge blessing. I’m playing live shows, writing songs, a ton of meetings, and late nights in the studio. I’ve realized that without the work ethic that started back working with my dad, I would not be able to do what I’m doing today.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My wife and I moved to Nashville in the summer of 2016 to chase the dream of being a country artist. 7 long years later and I can say that I’m living that dream. I’ve released 2 EP’s, 2 music videos, playing live shows, and I’m writing songs on Music Row.
The most exciting part for me is when I get to play a live show. I love interacting with the crowd and every time I take the stage I try to put on the best show I can!
You can find my music, show dates, and everything Zach Ray at www.zachraymusic.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Hard work – It’s not going to be easy but I believe dreams aren’t put in your heart by happenstance. If you have a dream you should at least try and if it doesn’t work out at least you can say you have it a shot.
2. Perseverance – There have been many times when the easy route would have been to move back home and call it a day. But every time something happened we felt like we should stay and keep going.
3. Being able to adapt – The music business isn’t a quick and easy process. I was able to adapt and work other jobs while continuing to chase my dreams.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Being supportive. I can’t begin to find the words to thank my parents for everything they did for me growing up. I really only had two passions growing up and that was music and sports. Anytime I had a practice, game, rehearsal, or show they would make sure that I got there on time and they were there with me. I know being a young musician and singer I made a lot of “noise” and they always pushed me to keep practicing no matter how bad it was for them!
I’m a dreamer and my parents never tried to kill my dreams and tell me that you should try something else. I am and will be forever grateful for my mom and dad. Love you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zachraymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachraymusic/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/zach.ray.33/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zachraymusic?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQRvftcrs3JIAgA0Hwl-WjQ
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3AdpvYwGBERek3GyH3iEon
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/zach-ray/1450086353
