Album Notes

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Biography
"beautiful music...very inspiring"
- Liv Hawn, Producer/Morning Show, Television: KCPQ 13, Seattle, WA

"Raymond...you are AWESOME!"
- Pat Cashman of...Pat Cashman Show, Radio: KOMO 1000, Seattle, WA

If you want your inspiration revival as poetic and powerful as Pink Floyd and as deep and illuminating as George Winston, but with just a little more enthusiasm, this Northwest soloist with a seasoned back-up band has you covered.

Raymond Hayden is nothing if not a lyrical muse injecting his compositions into the souls of his listeners. His piano and vocal work spans a library of CD, DVD and movie recordings as well as live performances all over the U.S. and throughout Europe. Highlights of his career include concert openings for headliners such as Blue Oyster Cult, April Wine, Nazareth and Berlin; writing, producing and arranging his own solo albums; co-writing seven albums for "Lean and Fit" with acclaimed guitarist Rob Rigoni for Century Fitness and recording on other artists albums such as Montgomery Park, Budapest West and Stephen Minor.

Raymond’s the latest addition to his Northwest-infused repertoire is “September Sky” – a reflective album that dares us not to revel in his poetic, contentious essence.

It’s a Pink Floyd-meets-George-Winston (with a dash of Chicago and Michael W. Smith for good measure) feast for the ears. Raymond takes the listener on a journey through the pain, devotion and hope of his dissolving marriage and causes us to dig deep into our own fears and aspirations. Ultimately we all come out of the album experience reconciled with the world and ourselves. A powerful message wrapped great hooks and sing-along-the-first-time-you-hear-it music.

Sharing real estate on September Sky is the power ballad cover hit Mad World written and recorded by 80’s greats Tears For Fears. This is a must-listen piece that rounds out the anguish and commitment that Ray so passionately and successfully relays to his listening audience.

Other suggested selections on the album are the title track (and full-band power number) September Sky. Obvious hits also include the ardent and hooky By Your Side as well as the emotionally charged new-age pop number Mystic Rhythm. Ray burns through the album’s inspirational odyssey like an illuminating torch. Take a listen: its soon-to-be-celebrated performance is not a stunt, it’s all a part of Raymond’s authentic calling to be the artist and inspirational muse to the world he’s meant to be.

BMI Member Since 1996
Member of the Recording Artist Academy (Grammy Voting Member)