Ray Wylie Hubbard by Don Henry Ford, Jr.I knew one song Ray Wylie Hubbard wrote and sang long before I knew anything about the man. Up against the wall Red-neck Mother became an anthem of sorts for those in my circle—that of hard drinking, blue collar cowboys and rednecks. And actually the voice that made the song popular was not his own, but rather that of Jerry Jeff Walker who covered the tune on this album and live shows around the land.{mosimage}But sometimes what appears to be a blessing, and is in fact at some level, can also be a curse. Ray Wylie not only sang this song, but he tried to live it as well. And it almost killed him.Like an actor that is identified with a particular role, Ray was trapped in a world of late nights, smoky bars and a booze and drug-blurred vision of the world. If and when he tried to depart from this scene, the public outcry for this rebellious anthem lured him back like a moth to the light that burns the wings and eventually kills.There are probably many that helped Ray overcome self-destructive behavior, but I would say there are probably three, aside from himself, that play the largest role in his decision to rehabilitate. Stevie Ray Vaughn, a Texas blues phenomenon, also lived the life of a hard partying singer, but at some point decided to quit the booze and the drugs. A few years before his untimely death, Vaughn sat down with Ray Wylie for some serious talks. Stevie Ray would die shortly thereafter in a helicopter accident, but a piece of his spirit lives on today in the body and the music of Ray.Then there's Judy. Judy saw her share of the rough side of town as well. But down deep she is a wonderful and an intelligent person and Ray met his soul mate in her, a woman not only good-looking but also intensely loyal to him and smart enough to compliment his intelligence. You see, beneath that rough exterior lies the mind of a genius. An honest to God genius.Judy multiplies the essence of the man. It is said that the eyes are the window to the soul. One look into the eyes of Judy Hubbard reveals brilliant light. If I don't miss my guess, it was the miraculous beauty of Judy's rehabilitation that finally turned Ray Wylie around, or at least reinforced his decision to stay on that path.{mosimage}Their union produced the third and perhaps most important reason Ray has for staying sober and doing what's right in this world, a wonderful young man by the name of Lucas. You can't spend five minutes in Ray's presence without this boy's name coming up. He's crazy about the kid.Once Ray sobered up, he had to come to grips with a scary fact. He was a musician that didn't know how to play music. The song that made him famous was a simple tune that involved only a few chords and lyrics a child could write. So Ray went to work, and at forty, he decided to take guitar lessons. The result is a sight to behold. Since that day he has become a master of the craft.Ray also began a spiritual journey, which led him not to traditional churches but to The Source. Wisdom and knowledge was poured out upon him and he began to use his songs as a medium to teach others and to spread life lessons. I myself have been a recipient of a few of these kernels of knowledge and wisdom and remain deeply grateful to this day.Ray not only produced good music, but also became an advocate of sober living for other musicians. His example is living proof that the source of creativity is not the dope you use, to the contrary, most who use it do what they do in spite of it.A couple of years ago, he and Mattson Rainer from KNBT radio in New Braunfels began producing a program which airs on Tuesday nights at seven called, Roots and Branches of Americana. The show is a live broadcast featuring Ray and touring performers that come his way. Ray talks with each guest between songs, usually unaccompanied acoustical versions, complete with any errors a live unrehearsed program creates. Reminds of a throwback to what radio must have been like a hundred years ago.Not only has this program seen some of the best performers around the Americana scene, people like Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, James McMurtry, and Slaid Cleaves, but also a bevy of young and talented newcomers, with fresh voices and fresh ideas: people like Bleu Edmonson, Guy Forsyth, and Cody Canada from Cross Canadian Ragweed.This contact has proved beneficial not only for these budding artists, but for their older mentor as well. Some of them have gone on to cover Ray Wylie's song, thereby introducing him to a new generation, similar to what happened in the case of Johnny Cash. And it has resulted in collaborative efforts soon to be revealed when Ray Wylie releases his next album.Ray's most recent cd, Delirium Tremolos, features a few of his own titles and the songs of others he likes and covers. From my perspective the highlights include, Driving Wheel, Dallas after Midnight, and McMurtry's Choctaw Bingo. The album is great, but for some reason I suspect his best is yet to come.I know for a fact he as hard at it, every night, channeling the spirits of what is good and right and just into words and carefully crafted songs for the rest of us. We haven't heard the last of Mr. Ray Wylie Hubbard.For those denied the privilege, go see Ray perform and then buy his albums. There's not a bad one in the bunch. Visit Ray Wylie's website here: http://www.raywylie.com/Click here to pick up Ray's latest CD--------------------About the Author - Don Henry Ford, Jr.When Don's not writing books he lends out his talent to Americana Roots to put together great articles like this. You can pick up Don's latest book Contrabando: Confessions of a Drug Smuggling Cowby at your local bookstore or online at Cinco Puntos Press.