Born: February 8, 1938 in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Biggest Hit(s): Linda Lu on Jamie Records recorded in July of 1959.

Current Status: Ray still performs and lives in Houston, Texas.

Inducted: April 26, 2005 New Orleans by Widmarc Clark

Biography: Ray begin playing in local bars around the Dallas area, after he graduated from high school. He learned to play the guitar from money he earned doing various jobs. He played country music at high school talent shows. Ray grew up listening to Ernst Tubb, Eddie Arnold, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, and other country artist on the radio.

When he heard Jimmy Reed singing ” You Don’t Have to Go ) it was a style he could play easily and once he learned it, it was rock n roll from then on. He got a steady gig at the Coconut Grove night club in Dallas and he was on his way. He formed his own band and begin playing live on KCUL, which got him work at the Penguin club one of the area’s top night spots. Artie Glenn heard him playing at the Penguin Club. Glenn was very impressed with Ray’s singing and his style of guitar playing.

Studio time was arranged, Ray recorded a blues tune, ( That’s The Way I Feel ) b/w an instrumental titled ( Presley ). Glenn circulated the demo. Independent producers Lester Sill and Lee Hazelwood purchased the demo and took it to Jamie records. Jamie bought the demo and put it out on their label. The song didn’t get much air play. His second recording Linda Lu b/w Monkey’s Uncle was written by Ray.

Sill and Hazelwood produced the session and featured Duane Eddy and Al Casey on guitar. Linda Lu reached # 46 on the charts in 1959. It was Ray’s only major hit. It’s been said, Ray Sharpe is the greatest White sounding black artist in all of rock n roll or any type of music. Ray released many other recording’s on different labels looking for another hit. None surpassed ( Linda Lu ). Down through the years many artist have recorded ( Linda Lu) hoping to get the results Ray Sharpe got in 1959, none have come close. Linda Lu remains a classic.

Today Ray Sharpe is in demand, he performs at oldies shows and other events, he lives in the Dallas area enjoying the good life.