Lyman Wade Ray, known professionally as Wade Ray, was born on April 13, 1913, in Evansville, Indiana. He was an American violinist and vocalist specializing in country music. Ray's early career saw him performing with various bands, including the Wade Ray Five and Wade Ray And His Ozark Mountain Boys, which featured musicians such as Kenneth Carllile and Curly Chalker. His first notable single, "The Fiddlin' Rag / I Was Just Walkin' Out The Door," was released in 1952. Throughout his career, Ray released several albums, including Walk Softly And Other Country Songs (1966) and A Ray Of Country Sun (1966). Notable songs include "Wild Heart" (1957), written by Cindy Walker, and "Idaho Red" (1954), considered the first 'trucker song.' Wade Ray retired to Sparta, Illinois, in 1979 and passed away on November 11, 1998.
