The Band
Don Houdyshell Ray - Keyboards
A native Texan and longtime Austinite, Don Ray Houdyshell is a well known keyboardist with great range. He played keyboards with the Jubal Clark band for several years. Don lent his considerable talents on the Blaze Foley tribute, Bfi Too: Blaze Ablaze in 1999.
Don Ray began playing keyboards professionally in the early ’70s up and down old Route 66, which ran through his hometown of Amarillo, Texas. Seeking a richer musical environment, he moved to Austin in 1975, where he was a founding member of the eclectic jazz trio Van Gogh’s Ear in addition to performing solo at local clubs.
Caught up in the Redneck Rock craze, he fell into the thriving songwriters’ circle with the likes of Blaze Foley (“If I Could Only Fly”) and Calvin Russell. In addition to being an original member of the Mandy Mercier Band (once voted “L.A.’s Entertainer of the Year), he began a many-year relationship with singer/songwriter Jubal Clark. His ties with the songwriters’ community led him to play at the cast party of Willie Nelson’s movie The Red-Headed Stranger, plus four appearances at Wille’s Fourth of July Picnic and one at Farm Aid.
In the ’80s, Don Ray returned to his blues roots and became a sought-after session musician, recording with artists such as Will T. Massy in addition to being a founding member of recording groups Hand to Mouth and the Lillian Stanfield Band; Lillian was once called by Billboard magazine “the best Texas blues shouter since Janis Joplin.”
After a few years as a musician for hire and as the house keyboard player at various clubs, Don Ray settled in with Ted Hall and the Pleasure Cats (“No Dogs Allowed,” “Thief in the Night”), with whom he still performs today.
In 2008, Don Ray jumped at the chance to perform regularly with his long-time friends in Crash, Bam, Boom and to explore the Latin rhythms he has always loved.