Good Noise | Jesse Ray | TEDxMacatawa

Rev. Jesse Ray, who started performing on street corners and later played open mic nights in Grand Rapids, presents a solo set at TEDxMacatawa. He performs alone on guitar, vocals, harmonica and foot drum, mixing rockabilly, blues, Americana and country. The set includes original songs, soulful ballads and covers of Johnny Cash and George Jones. The talk was given at an independently organized TEDx event that follows the TED conference format. Ray's style was shaped by his years of college study in Portland, Oregon, where he developed a fast, loud and emotional approach to playing.

• Solo performance on electric guitar, harmonica, foot drum and vocals
• Blend of rockabilly, blues, country and Americana
• Covers of Johnny Cash and George Jones alongside original songs
• Recorded at TEDxMacatawa, an independently organized TEDx event

Rev. Jesse Ray got his start on street corners, and he still plays like a whole band: guitar, vocals, and drums, all at once. His set celebrates the good kind of noise, from a busker’s blues and a motorcycle love song to a sing-along call to love your neighbor. Jesse Ray brings a unique blend of rockabilly blues, offering a dynamic mix of energetic originals, soulful ballads, and classic covers of legends like Johnny Cash and George Jones. Armed with his electric guitar, harmonica, foot drum, and captivating vocals, Ray is a one-man rock’n’roll, Americana, and blues powerhouse that any fan of traditional American music will not want to miss. Ray began playing music in Grand Rapids at the age of 17, playing folk music at open mic nights. While attending college in Portland, Oregon, he honed his fast, loud, and emotional playing style, blending blues, country, and rockabilly influences. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx