Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Nine Interesting Ray Price Facts You Should Check Out

Ray Price Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Ray Price, sometimes referred to as the “Cherokee Cowboy,” was undoubtedly one of the nation’s most-known performers. He was so committed to his craft that he was able to create a magnificent work of art that his generation and future generations may enjoy. 

His ability to choose content and enhance his delivery to the audience is genius-level. Even though Price is not here with us anymore, his influence is still felt to this day, even after his passing in 2013.

Ray Price, on the other hand, is not just a successful singer but also an intriguing guy. Here is a compilation of fascinating and obscure facts about Ray Price that you’ll undoubtedly like.

1. Ray Price Helped Make Country Music More Popular

He and his band turned the gutbucket country shuffle of the postwar era into slick, pulsating honky-tonk in the 1950s. Which caused the birth of Ray Price Hit songs like “For the good times” and “Release Me.”

2. He Had a Career in Veterinary Medicine

He originally joined the field of science and medicine in Texas before branching out into the music industry. Despite the fact that the world war prevented him from finishing his education on time, he did so eventually. And now he holds a veterinary medicine degree.

3. Ray Price Is Friends with Another Country Music Superstar

Before he attained the current level of fame, it was reported that he initially became acquaintances with Lefty Frizzell, also a well-known singer of country music.

4. He Formed His Own Band Named Cherokee Cowboys

Initially, Price was the manager of Hank Williams‘ band called the “Drifting Cowboys,” but in 1953, upon Williams’ passing, Price started his own group, known as the “Cherokee Cowboys.”

5. Ray Price’s Singing “For the Good Times” Helped Price and Its Song Writer

Bill Nash, another talented singer, sang the song’s original version. But when Ray Price released his own version of the song, it rocketed to the top of the charts. Not only did it assist Price in getting his first No. 1 hit in 11 years, but it also elevated composer Kris Kristofferson to the top echelon of songwriters in both country and popular music.

6. He Is a Hall of Famer

He was one of the country artists who were eligible to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

7. He Grew Up in A Not Complete Family

Following his parent’s divorce, he spent his early years alternating between his father’s farm and his mother’s house in Dallas.

8. He Was Married Two Times

After divorcing his first spouse in the 1960s, he wed his second wife, Janie Mae, in 1970, and they stayed together till his death. He never disclosed the basis for his first wife’s divorce.

9. Price Has Endured a Painful Disease That Caused His Death

He had pancreatic cancer, which is a fatal disease. Unfortunately, his condition resulted in his passing on December 16, 2013.

Ray Price is one of the greatest country artists of all time. And there is no doubt about that since he has this charismatic aura that radiates through his singing, making the audience fall in love with his songs. We sincerely hope you learned something new from the Ray Price facts we provided today. They are now absolutely available for sharing if you so want.

Latest Stories

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs performing a heartfelt rendition of Hank Williams' gospel classic 'I Saw the Light' at the Opry, honoring its timeless legacy.

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs’ Soulful Rendition of “I Saw the Light” at the Opry

Some songs transcend time, and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light” is one of those rare gems that feels as powerful today as it did when it was first penned. ...

Ben Haggard performing Merle Haggard's classic 'It's All in the Movies,' honoring his father's legacy while showcasing his own brilliant artistry.

Ben Haggard Breathes New Life into Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies”

Some songs never lose their shine. Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies” is one of those timeless tracks, and when his youngest son, Ben Haggard, steps up to perform ...

George Strait and Alan Jackson performing 'Remember When' and 'Troubadour' at the 50th CMA Awards, celebrating the timeless soul of country music.

The Iconic CMA Duet of Alan Jackson and George Strait

Some moments in country music aren’t just performances—they’re living history. George Strait and Alan Jackson took the stage together at the 50th CMA Awards in 2016, and it was one ...

Gene Watson performing his signature hit 'Farewell Party,' a hauntingly beautiful country classic that captures themes of loss and love.

Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Is a Heartbreaker for the Ages

Some songs cut straight to the bone, and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” is one of them. Released in 1979 as part of his Reflections album, Watson’s rendition of this country ...

Toby Keith’s Stunning Tribute to Hank Williams Jr. With “A Country Boy Can Survive”

In 2007, a remarkable event unfolded at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles when country, rock, and blues icons gathered to honor the legendary Hank Williams Jr. It was a ...

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge performing their duet 'Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends,' capturing the beauty and heartbreak of love's final moments.

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s Timeless Duet, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”

When Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge sang together, their voices became an extension of their love story—beautiful, bittersweet, and undeniably real. Married in 1973 after a whirlwind meeting in an ...

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performing 'I'll Fly Away,' a soulful masterpiece from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, showcasing gospel roots and timeless harmonies.

How Alison Krauss’ “I’ll Fly Away” Became a Hymn for the Ages

There’s a magic in Alison Krauss’ voice, an ethereal quality that feels wrapped in sunlight and steeped in tradition. When she joined forces with Gillian Welch to record “I’ll Fly ...

Craig Morgan delivering an emotional performance of 'The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost' on The Kelly Clarkson Show, moving the audience to tears as he honors his son's memory.

Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” Moves “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to Tears

In 2016, Craig Morgan faced a tragedy no parent should ever endure: the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jerry, in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. Morgan’s heartbreak was profound, ...

Jesse Keith Whitley and his son Jackie performing a heartfelt duet of 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' honoring Keith Whitley's legacy with a touching family tribute.

Jesse Keith Whitley and Son Jackie Duet “Don’t Close Your Eyes” in a Heartfelt Tribute

At Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City Beach, Florida, fans were treated to a magical evening when Jesse Keith Whitley performed his father’s iconic song “Don’t Close ...

Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson brought together through modern technology for a duet of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee,' blending their iconic voices in a timeless gospel masterpiece.

Willie Nelson Joins Patsy Cline for a Heavenly “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Patsy Cline’s tragic death in a 1963 plane crash left an irreplaceable void in country music. Her haunting voice, which gave us classics like “Cr𝐚zy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” ...