Ray Stevens Biography – Ray Stevens was born on January 24, 1939. His real name is Harold Ray Ragsdale. He is an American country singer, songwriter, and comedian. He is famous for songs like “Everything Is Beautiful” and “Misty.” He also made fun songs like “Ahab the Arab,” “Gitarzan,” and “The Streak.” He won Grammy Awards for his music. He has earned gold albums. He also worked as a music producer and arranger. He has been a television host too. He was added to many music halls of fame. These include the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Ray Stevens Biography
Ray Stevens is an American singer. He sings country and pop music. He is also a songwriter, comedian, and producer. He was born on January 24, 1939. He was born in Clarkdale, Georgia.
He has worked in music for more than 60 years. He is famous for songs like “Everything Is Beautiful” and “Misty.” He also made fun songs like “Gitarzan” and “The Streak.”
He has won Grammy Awards for his music. He has been honored in many music halls of fame. These include the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Ray Stevens (Harold Ray Ragsdale) |
| Birth Date | January 24, 1939 |
| Birth Place | Clarkdale |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Comedian, Producer |
| Music Style | Country & Pop |
| Famous Songs | “Everything Is Beautiful”, “Misty”, “The Streak” |
| Funny Songs | “Ahab the Arab”, “Gitarzan” |
| Awards | Grammy Awards Winner |
| Honors | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |
Ray Stevens Family
Harold Ray Ragsdale was born in a small town called Clarkdale in Georgia. His parents were Willis Harold Ragsdale and Frances Stephens Ragsdale. He had a younger brother named John.
He grew up in a home full of music. He listened to many songs on the radio. He also heard different music on a jukebox at the local swimming pool. This helped him love many types of music.
When he was in high school, he started his first band. The band was called The Barons. This showed that he loved music and was very talented.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Willis Harold Ragsdale |
| Mother | Frances Stephens Ragsdale |
| Brother | John (actor & writer) |
| Childhood | Grew up in musical environment |
| First Band | The Barons (in school) |
Ray Stevens Net Worth
Ray Stevens is an American singer. He sings country and pop music. He is also a songwriter, comedian, and producer. He has a net worth of 12 million dollars. He has won two Grammy Awards.
He is famous for songs like “Misty,” “Everything Is Beautiful,” “Gitarzan,” and “The Streak.” He has made more than 50 music albums. Some of his albums are “This Is Ray Stevens,” “Turn Your Radio On,” and “Ain’t Nothin’ Funny Anymore.”
His song “Everything Is Beautiful” reached number 1 on music charts. His song “The Streak” also reached number 1 in the US, the UK, and Canada. He made a TV show called “Ray Stevens Live!” in 1993.
He also made a TV series called “Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Nashville” in 2017. He wrote a book called “Ray Stevens’ Nashville” in 2014. He has been honored in many music halls of fame. These include the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
| Albums | 50+ albums |
| Famous Albums | This Is Ray Stevens, Turn Your Radio On |
| Hit Songs | “Everything Is Beautiful”, “The Streak” |
| TV Shows | Ray Stevens Live! |
| Series | Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Nashville |
| Book | Ray Stevens’ Nashville |
| Honors | Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame |
Ray Stevens Career
Ray started his music career at a young age. At age 18, he signed with Capitol Records in 1957. He released his first song “Silver Bracelet.” His name was changed to Ray Stevens.
In 1961, he joined Mercury Records. He became famous for funny songs. Some popular songs are “Ahab the Arab,” “Harry the Hairy Ape,” and “Gitarzan.” He worked in Nashville.
He played music with stars like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. He also made serious songs like “Mr. Businessman.” In 1970, he joined Barnaby Records. He hosted a TV show on NBC.
His song “Everything Is Beautiful” became a big hit. It won a Grammy Award. In 1974, his song “The Streak” became number one. In 1975, “Misty” also became very popular. In 1980, he joined RCA Records.
Later, he returned to Mercury Records. In 1984, his song “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” became a hit again. In 2001, he released a song about world events. In 2010, he released a comedy album.
In 2014, he started an online show. He also acted in a movie. In 2015, he started a TV show called “Ray Stevens Nashville.” He also opened his own music place called the CabaRay Showroom. He has had a long and successful music career.
Ray Stevens Early Life
Ray was born on January 24, 1939. He was born in Clarkdale. His parents were Willis Harold Ragsdale and Frances Stephens Ragsdale. He had a younger brother named John. John became an actor and writer.
In high school, he started his first music band. The band was called The Barons. At first, he studied business at Georgia State College. Later, he changed his subject to music. He left college before finishing his degree.
He felt he did not need the degree.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | January 24, 1939 |
| Birth Place | Clarkdale |
| Parents | Willis & Frances Ragsdale |
| Brother | John |
| Early Interest | Music from radio & jukebox |
| First Band | The Barons |
| College | Studied business, later music |
| Decision | Left college early |
Ray Stevens Education
Ray is an American singer and comedian. His real name is Harold Ray Ragsdale. He grew up in the state of Georgia. He went to high school in Albany. Later, he studied at Druid Hills High School in Atlanta.
He graduated in the year 1957. After school, he studied music at Georgia State University in Atlanta. At the same time, he started his music career. He began recording songs with Mercury Records.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Druid Hills High School |
| Graduation Year | 1957 |
| College | Georgia State University |
| Subject | Music |
| Career Start | Began recording during studies |
Ray Stevens Personal Life
Stevens and Penny Jackson Ragsdale were married for more than 60 years. They had two daughters named Suzi and Timi. They also had four grandchildren. Penny died on December 31, 2021.
She was sick with cancer for a long time. Two days before she died, Stevens canceled his New Year’s Eve concert. He did this because his wife was getting very sick. On July 4, 2025, Stevens felt chest pain and went to the hospital.
Doctors said he had a mild heart attack. He was taken to intensive care. He had heart surgery on July 7. He got better and left intensive care on July 9.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife | Penny Jackson Ragsdale |
| Marriage | 60+ years |
| Children | Suzi & Timi |
| Grandchildren | 4 |
| Wife Death | 2021 (cancer) |
| Health Issue | Heart attack (2025) |
| Recovery | Surgery & recovery |
Ray Stevens Awards
Ray has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards. He won two Grammy Awards. He won Best Contemporary Male Vocalist for “Everything Is Beautiful” in 1971. He also won Best Arrangement for “Misty” in 1976.
He was nominated for other songs like “Gitarzan” and “Everything Is Beautiful.” He was also nominated for songs like “Love Lifted Me” and “Misty.” He got comedy nominations for “I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow” and “Would Jesus Wear a Rolex?”
In 1974, he was nominated for two CMA Awards. These were for Song of the Year and Single of the Year for “The Streak.” In 2019, he was nominated for a Midsouth Emmy Award.
This was for “Ray Stevens Special.” In 2018, he received a Star Guitar on the Music City Walk of Fame. In 2019, he was added to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Grammy Nominations | 11 |
| Grammy Wins | 2 |
| 1971 Award | Best Vocalist (“Everything Is Beautiful”) |
| 1976 Award | Best Arrangement (“Misty”) |
| CMA Awards | Nominated (1974) |
| Emmy Nomination | 2019 |
| Honor | Music City Walk of Fame (2018) |
| Hall of Fame | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (2019) |
FAQ – Ray Stevens
1. Who is Ray Stevens?
Ray is an American country and pop singer, songwriter, comedian, and music producer known for both serious and humorous songs.
2. What is Ray Stevens’ real name?
His real name is Harold Ray Ragsdale.
3. When was Ray Stevens born?
He was born on January 24, 1939.
4. What are Ray Stevens’ most famous songs?
His popular songs include Everything Is Beautiful, Misty, and novelty hits like The Streak and Gitarzan.
5. Has Ray Stevens won any awards?
Yes, he has won Grammy Awards and received multiple nominations during his career.
6. What is Ray Stevens’ net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $12 million.
7. What is Ray Stevens known for in music?
He is known for blending comedy with music and creating both humorous novelty songs and meaningful hits.
8. Which halls of fame has Ray Stevens been inducted into?
He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
9. How long has Ray Stevens been active in music?
He has had a music career spanning more than 60 years.
10. What else has Ray Stevens done besides singing?
He has worked as a television host, producer, author, and performer, including shows like “Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Nashville.”
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