NEW YORK, May 2, 2009

Second Cup Cafe: Collin Raye

Longtime Country Singer Performs Songs From His Latest Album, "Never Going Back"

  • Play CBS Video Video Country Star Collin Raye

    A stable of the country music scene for nearly the last two decades, multi-platinum-selling artist Collin Raye performs "Mid-Life Chrysler," one of his newest songs, at the Second Cup Caf?.

  • Collin Raye

    Collin Raye  (collinraye.com)

  • The Early Show Second Cup Café

    Check out performances by artists who take to our stage each Saturday morning.

(CBS)  As a child, Collin Raye witnessed some of the greatest acts in country music history.

He may not have realized it at the time, but those performances - along with his mother's - would later shape his own career.

"I grew up steeped in traditional country music," Collin says on his official Web site. "I knew every song on Johnny Horton's 'Greatest Hits' by heart. To this day, I can sing them to you. I think that's where I got my love of story songs.

"We never missed a country package show when one came through Little Rock. I remember seeing Porter Wagoner & The Wagonmasters with Dolly Parton, George Jones & The Jones Boys, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride and Conway Twitty, all on the same bill! Ray Price, Buck Owens, I loved them all."

Raye stopped by The Early Show Saturday Edition's "Second Cup Cafe" to sing songs from his latest album, "Never Going Back."

Born Floyd Collin Wray to musical parents in DeQueen, Ark., Raye's family later moved to Texas, where he found his niche in Nashville.

Raye was inspired by his mother, Lois Wray, who was a popular regional performer in East Texas during the 1950s. She opened shows for an impressive lineup of music greats, such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

His mother's love of country music was so contagious that, at age 7, Raye was brave enough to take the stage and perform alongside her. At age 13, Raye started a band with his brother Scott, called The Wray Brothers band.

Drawn to casino life in Reno, Nev., Raye and his brother landed many gigs, and drew attention from Nashville.

Although The Wray Brothers band eventually split up and Raye got married and had two children, he dind't give up on his dream.

Raye launched a solo career in 1991 with his hit song, "Love, Me," a song so touching that his lyrics were used for funerals and memorial services. His song, "In This Lifetime," was also considered a wedding favorite.

Since then, Raye has been a steady presence in the country music scene for the last 18 years. Four of his singles have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Music charts.

© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment
by sam-kiley May 3, 2009 3:10 AM EDT
bonjour erika bonjour chris.....
contente de vous revoir...

collin raye...inconnu pour moi, je découvre avec plaisir....belle voix, chanson trés émouvante..bravo ..au revoir
Reply to this comment

Exclusive Webshow

Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie." Watch Now

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
  • Fort Hood's Fallen Heroes Fort Hood's Fallen Heroes

    A Look at Those Who Lost Their Lives in the Fort Hood Massacre

  • BMI Country Awards BMI Country Awards

    Country's Finest Walk the Red Carpet for the 57th BMI Country Music Awards

  • Day in Pictures Day in Pictures

    A Glimpse at the Day's News as Seen Through a Camera Lens

  • Celebrity Circuit Celebrity Circuit

    James Woods in Court, Michelle Obama on "Sesame Street"; Plus, Premieres for "The Road" and "A Single Man"

  • Memorial at Fort Hood Memorial at Fort Hood

    President Obama Speaks at Ceremony Honoring Soldiers Who Died in Mass Shooting

  • School Hostage Drama School Hostage Drama

    School in Pine Plains, N.Y., Locked Down After Former Student Takes Administrator Hostage

Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: