Rock artist celebrates a major career moment as his deeply personal single earns recognition at the 2026 Josie Music Awards
Ray Ray Star is Nashville bound.
The rock guitarist, songwriter and producer is heading to Music City for the 2026 Josie Music Awards, taking place September 20 at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House.
This year carries special meaning for Ray Ray Star as his powerful single “Ashes Next Door” has earned a nomination for Song of the Year – Rock Artist, putting a deeply personal piece of his story on one of independent music’s biggest stages.
For Ray, “Ashes Next Door” represents far more than another song.
The track grew out of a devastating real-life experience when a fire next door destroyed nearly everything he owned. Among the few possessions to survive were two guitars — instruments that would become symbols of moving forward when it would have been easier to give up.
That story ultimately became music.
Featuring vocals by Chris Vayne, “Ashes Next Door” channels loss, survival and resilience into a hard-hitting rock record with an emotional core that goes well beyond its guitars and production.
Those themes run throughout Ray Ray Star’s life and music.
Clean and sober since May 29, 2009, Ray has been open about his journey through addiction and recovery, using his platform to remind others that the worst moment in someone’s life doesn’t have to become the final chapter.
His commitment to helping others also extends beyond his songs through his support of MusiCares and its work assisting people throughout the music community.
Now, after years of writing, recording, rebuilding and refusing to quit, Ray Ray Star is taking that journey to Nashville.
The Josie Music Awards have become an important celebration of independent artists, songwriters, musicians and industry professionals from around the world. Walking into the Grand Ole Opry House as a nominee marks another milestone in Ray’s continuing career.
It also comes during an exciting creative period that has seen Ray release music including “Back From The Ashes,” “Slow Motion Fall,” “Suitcase and a Dream,” “One Step Away” and the Josie-nominated “Ashes Next Door.”
There’s something fitting about the road leading here.
A fire nearly wiped away Ray Ray Star’s possessions, but it didn’t take away his music. Addiction became recovery. Loss became inspiration. Two guitars survived the flames.
And now one of the songs born from that extraordinary journey is taking Ray Ray Star straight to Nashville and the 2026 Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House.
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