Ray Scott's 2008 CD, Crazy Like Me. Photo by Tony Baker, courtesy of Jethropolitan Records.

It's a shame really, that a corporate giant couldn't make something so distinctive work. It's Ray's grasp of plainspoken poetry, unique turns-of-phrase and emotional directness, not to mention wit that appeals to people - the same qualities that turned the songs of Kristofferson, Jennings and Nelson into a movement.

"Those guys defined an era of country music," he says. "They left a permanent impression on me that I wear like a badge of honor. I loved the realness of their music. That stuff will always be great, always stand up to time. Those old boys meant what they were saying. They lived it."

Raised in the rural farming community of Semora, North Carolina he grew up among the blue collar folks who populate his songs. He also grew up the son of a country singer. In fact, it's his dad, Ray Sr., he credits as his biggest musical influence.

"A lot of people name off artists as influences and I have those too, but the biggest impression on me was my dad," Ray says. "He was a singer and I heard his interpretations of all those great country songs growing up. I realize more all the time that listening to his versions and comparing them to the originals I heard on the radio taught me a lot about how to make a song your own."

By the time he was 19, he'd formed his first band in Raleigh, North Carolina. That band promptly fell apart because, among other reasons, none of the members had much music business savvy. Realizing he needed to learn a few things if he wanted a career instead of a hobby, Ray moved to Atlanta and got an Associate's degree from the Music Business Institute.

"A buddy and I were on our way back to Raleigh from a road trip," he explains. "I was driving through Nashville and I looked out over the skyline and got this really strange feeling. It was like a moment of clarity, telling me this was where I needed to be. Something seemed to say, 'No need thinking anymore about it, your mind is made up.' Within another six months, I was here."

It was Nashville's strong songwriting community where he dug his heels in and began writing in earnest. He studied the craft of songwriting, trying to learn everything he could about what makes a great song great. People began to pay attention the name Ray Scott and he landed a publishing deal with Tom Collins. The years of dedication to his craft finally began to pay off when Randy Travis ("Pray for the Fish") and Clay Walker ("A Few Questions") had hit singles with his songs.

It was an ode to his upbringing – the hard-driving, attitude-drenched "Plowboy" – that caught Warner Bros. and producer Paul Worley's ear. They green lighted a record deal and Ray Scott's debut album hit the street.

Capitalizing on the success of his debut release as well as a current national tour, The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party 2008 with Mark Wills, Trent Willmon and Buddy Jewell, the timing was perfect to release Crazy Like Me – a 10-song collection written exclusively by Ray and his longtime friend and co-writer Phillip Moore.

"Doing it this way is gonna be challenging, but I've been gambling in Nashville for 13 years," Ray says. "Why the hell not bet on myself?! Thanks to all you supporters out there. You guys and gals keep my heart in it. Others have tried to take it out. Bottom line is...somebody's gotta keep real country music alive....there ain't as many of us around as there used to be."