Amy Elizabeth Ray (born April 12, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter and member of the contemporary folk duo Indigo Girls with Emily Saliers. She also pursues a solo career, releasing ten albums under her own name, and founded the independent label Daemon Records in 1989. Ray is known for her alto and tenor range, and plays both electric and acoustic guitar, as well as mandolin and harmonica.
Biography
thumb|left|150px|Ray in 2008
Born in Decatur, Georgia, Amy Ray met Emily Saliers when they both attended the same elementary school. They began performing together and recorded a demo in 1981. After graduation, Ray and Saliers went to different colleges with Ray attending Vanderbilt University. In 1986, Ray graduated from Emory with majors in English and Religion.
In March 2001, Ray released her first solo album, Stag, a southern and punk rock album. The Butchies, a punk band whose members include Kaia Wilson, Melissa York, and Alison Martlew, provided support for five songs, and Joan Jett played on "Hey Castrator". In April 2005, Ray released the softer edged Prom, and in December 2006, she released Live from Knoxville. Her fourth solo album, the melodic
Her backup band for her Stag tour was The Butchies. In 2004, when she embarked on her Prom tour, she brought Les Nuby (guitar), Will Lochamy (drums), and Jody Bleyle (bass). Tara Jane O'Neil replaced Bleyle when she began maternity leave in October. Ray's backup band for her 2012 Lung of Love tour was The Butchies. Jenn Stone, former keyboard player for Kesha, also performed on the tour. and her work as a solo artist, Ray also runs an independent record label, Daemon Records, which she founded in 1990 and which is based in Decatur, Georgia.
Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) appears on her 2014 album Goodnight Tender, and she and Vernon continue to maintain a friendship.
Ray was also a judge for the 3rd and 11th Annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Personal life
Ray uses she/her pronouns and is a lesbian.
Ray lives in the foothills of North Georgia with her partner, Carrie Schrader, and their child. In March 2021, Ray spoke on the LGBTQ&A podcast about having gender dysphoria and being genderqueer.
Ray identifies herself as "religious" and a "Pagan Christian".
Discography
Studio albums
- Stag (2001)
- Prom (2005)
- Didn't It Feel Kinder (2008)
- Lung of Love (2012)
- Goodnight Tender (2014)
- Holler (2018)
- If It All Goes South (2022)
Live albums
- Live from Knoxville (2006)
- MVP Live (2010)
- The Tender Hour: Amy Ray Live from Seattle (2015)