 Ray Scott Ray comes from a family with a musical background. His mom sang in a USO band during WW II. Her friend and trumpet player in the band, Bruce Snyder, eventually left that band and joined Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra. He was the roommate of another rather famous voice…Frank Sinatra! Years later, Ray’s grandmother Blanche received a lovely framed photograph from Mr. Sinatra penned with “Happy 100th Birthday Blanche, from Ole Blue Eyes”. Ray says the other accolades she received, from Willard Scott, The President of the United States, and the Governor, paled beside Frank’s gift! Ray sang in school glee clubs and church choirs. There’s no wonder why he loved music at an early age.
Ray’s uncle, Bill Benton, was part owner of a radio station in Monroe (WMAP AM), and later in other stations in High Point, Tabor City, and Shallotte. Since his mother worked at the stations, Ray grew up spending a lot of time at radio stations and became quite comfortable in learning first hand how they operated. Ironically, he did not seriously consider a career in this field. He did, however, get an earful of early beach music at WMAP as Tom Desio, the morning broadcaster, had a Saturday afternoon show called “Desio’s Beach Party”. The year was 1965, and Ray was into music from the “Top 40” hits that other teens listened to and enjoyed on Hullabaloo and American Bandstand. While he enjoyed the Beatles and other English groups, his favorite was the Dave Clark Five. His choice of music changed when he turned 18 and could get into clubs in nearby Charlotte where bands such as the Tams, Drifters, Tempests, and Billy Scott and the Prophets performed. The first radio play of “I Got the Fever” by Billy Scott was on WMAP in Monroe! Ray formed a lot of contacts with these performers and became known as a valuable “point person” in negotiations between the artists and clubs. He was also working part time in the pro shop at Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe. His dream to have a career in golf diminished, as he realized he didn’t want to work every holiday and weekend (pretty funny, as this is exactly what he’s doing today!). Ray began a career in the grocery industry, working the next 20 years. His territory encompassed 16 states. When asked if he likes to travel, Ray says, “I was on the road for 20 years. I’m ready to stay put!” He surely burns the road up today all over the Grand Strand with remotes! In the mid 80’s, Ray’s uncle retired from radio; and several transactions later, Ray’s friend Fo Roldan bought WMAP in Monroe .The format became beach music and oldies. Ray used his early contacts to get bands to come to the station for interviews; and, as a hobby, started a Friday afternoon show called “Ray Scott’s Original Beach Party”. He became disenchanted with the grocery industry and went full-time at the radio station in 1992. He did the morning drive slot and continued his Friday beach show. During this time, Ray also covered/announced Union County high school sporting events. He loves the story he related recently to Woody Durham, “The Voice of the Tar Heels”, that he once covered the Monroe High School girls’ state championship game in Carmichael Auditorium and the boys’ state championship game at nearby Dean Smith Center (both in Chapel Hill) in the same day…a feat even legendary Durham couldn’t claim! Having lost both his parents, Ray was ready for a change. He had been frequenting SOS and Fat Harold’s at Ocean Drive for quite a while. He moved to the beach in 2001 but drove back to Monroe every Friday for his afternoon show. This lasted for another year, until his friend Billy Scott mentioned to Bill Norman (WNMB) that he should get in touch with Ray to do a beach show. Thus, Ray’s radio career at the beach began with a Friday afternoon beach show on WNMB. He remained there until leaving for a position as the afternoon drive with 94.9 the Surf in January 2004. Besides interviewing almost all of the beach music artists over his years in radio, Ray has also interviewed (and played golf with) Michael Jordan and Al Wood, college basketball stars and later giants in their field. He also interviewed Picabo Street, Olympic gold medallist skier, Keb Mo, and Kerry Collins (Carolina Panthers quarterback). He has been the recipient of “AM DJ of the Year” in 2000, 2002 and 2003 from the CBMA. In 2004 he was awarded “FM DJ of the Year” and “Club Mobile DJ of the Year”. He won “FM DJ of the Year” at the 2006 CBMA and recently won again at the 2007 CBMA. Ray says his favorite part of the job at the Surf is getting out and meeting people…at the remotes, festivals, and beach parties. After all, it was at a remote at 2001 nightclub where he met his girlfriend Charlene in 2004.They both enjoy beach music and also watching golf and other sports on television. Ray’s favorite beach music song? “Pour Your Little Heart Out” by the Drifters. |
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