
“There were all these killer players. I was shy and kind of sat there, but Etta said, ‘I like that little white kid’”: Brian Ray wowed Etta James at 18, lost-out on Shakira and landed his gig with Paul McCartney –after auditioning at the Super Bowl
Joe Bosso
created: June 16, 2025, 11:12 a.m. | updated: June 20, 2025, 3:48 p.m.
Brian Ray - Bad 4U (Official Music Video) - YouTube Watch On“That song is a bit of a left turn for me,” Ray says.
It was a lot of fun.”Etta James - Drown In My Own Tears 1975 - YouTube Watch OnI’m sure.
I had a great experience with her, and eventually I became her musical director.”The Collection: Brian Ray - YouTube Watch OnIn 2002, you joined Paul McCartney’s band.
Stick with Rusty – he’ll show you the ropes.’”Rusty being Rusty Anderson, who already played guitar in the band.
I played bass on my own demos and other people’s demos, so getting ready to play in Paul’s band was challenging.
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