Ray Baker is a Nashville record producer. His first hit record produced was ''I Just Started Hatin' Cheating Songs Today'' by

Moe Bandy Marion Franklin "Moe" Bandy Jr. (born February 12, 1944) is an American country music singer. He was most popular during the 1970s, when he had several hit songs, both alone and with his singing partner, Joe Stampley. Early life and recordin ...

in 1974. He also produced ''It Was Always so Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman'' and ''It's a Cheatin' Situation'', both by Moe Bandy. He also produced all of

Connie Smith Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador; August 14, 1941) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity h ...

's albums under Columbia and

Monument Records Monument Records is an American record label in Washington, D.C. named for the Washington Monument, founded in 1958 by Fred Foster, Buddy Deane (a prominent Baltimore disc jockey at WTTG), and business manager Jack Kirby. Buddy Deane soon left ...

, starting with '' That's the Way Love Goes'' in 1974. Baker also produced duets by Moe Bandy and

Joe Stampley Joe Stampley (born June 6, 1943) is an American country music singer. He had success as the lead singer of a rock group, in a country duo with Moe Bandy and as a solo performer. Stampley has released over 20 albums and more than 60 singles in ...

. "Good Ole Boys" was a million-selling duet in 1979. In 1983 he produced '' Right or Wrong'' by George Strait, his first gold album; singles from that album included the title track, "

You Look So Good in Love "You Look So Good in Love" is a song written by Glen Ballard, Rory Bourke and Kerry Chater, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in September 1983 as the lead single from his album '' Right or Wrong''. It ...

" and "

Let's Fall to Pieces Together "Let's Fall to Pieces Together" is a song written by Dickey Lee, Johnny Russell and Tommy Rocco, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait George Harvey Strait Sr. (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music singer, song ...

." In 1984, he produced several hit records by

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled a ...

, including

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

-winning '' That's the Way Love Goes''. ''That's the Way Love Goes'' at allmusic.com/ref> Ray Baker also produced "Natural High", "Let's Chase Each Other 'Round the Room", "What am I Gonna Do with the Rest of My Life", and "You Take Me for Granted", all number one records for Haggard. In addition, he produced several top ten records for Connie Smith for Columbia Records and Monument Records Baker also produced a number one record in 1987 for

Charley Pride Charley Frank Pride (March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020) was an American singer, guitarist, and professional baseball player. His greatest musical success came in the early to mid-1970s, when he was the best-selling performer for RCA Rec ...

, '' Have I Got Some Blues for You''. Prior to his producing career, Ray was a very successful music publisher. His catalogue contained such hits as "

Elvira Elvira is a female given name. First recorded in medieval Spain, it is likely of Germanic (Gothic) origin. Elvira may refer to: People Nobility * Elvira Menéndez (died 921), daughter of Hermenegildo Gutiérrez and wife of Ordoño II of Leó ...

" " There Goes My Everything" "

The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" is a song written by Dallas Frazier and first recorded by country musician, Johnny Darrell in 1968. The song tells the story of a woman with 14 children who is abandoned by her worthless alcoholic husband and tur ...

"," If My Heart Had Windows" " That's The Way Love Goes", "

Johnny One Time "Johnny One Time" is a song written by A.L. "Doodle" Owens and Dallas Frazier and performed by Brenda Lee. The song reached #3 on the adult contemporary chart, #41 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and #50 on the country chart in 1969. The song a ...

" and over 35 other Number One Country and Pop Songs from 1966 to the 1990s. His various accomplishments are included in Michael Kosser's best-selling biography ''How Music City Became Music City USA''.

Notes

References

* "How Nashville Became Music City USA", Michael Kosser,

External links

* Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Place of birth missing (living people) American country record producers People from Nashville, Tennessee {{US-record-producer-stub