RAY EDWARDS (AND HARD ROCK MOUNTAIN)

• From Arcadia, North Carolina.
• A bluegrass multi-instrumentalist, he won the banjo championships at Carlton Haney’s Camp Springs Bluegrass Festival (1973) and Union Grove Fiddler’s Convention (1974).
• 1970, joined the High Country Boys.
• 1973, worked with Southbound.
• 1975, worked with Jeannie C. Riley.
• 1978, worked with Tom T. Hall.
• 1984, worked with Ed Bruce.
• Best known as a songwriter, he co-wrote “Hard Rock Mountain Prison (‘Til I Die)” with Larry Cox and Terry Foust, a #1 song for Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out. His songs have also been recorded by Darrell Webb, Monroeville, Nu-Blu, Grasstowne, Special Consensus, Jeannette Williams and many other bluegrass artists.
• 2012, released Portrait of a Bluegrass Songwriter (Rural Rhythm) with his band Hard Rock Mountain featuring Edwards’ songs recorded by other artists.
• 2018, released A Golden Anniversary Celebration album (Pinecastle).