Ray Stevens: Musical Funny Man,Part I Quiz

Answer: Harold Ray Ragsdale

Ray was born in Clarksdale, GA. I have an uncle named Donald Ray. Another uncle is named Andrew. C.W. Kalb is a songwriter who has written many songs for and/or with Ray.

Answer: January 24, 1939

The other dates, though not the years, are the birthdays of my parents and yours truly.

Answer: Sgt. Preston Of The Yukon

This 1959 recording for the NRC label had sold several thousand copies. But it had to be withdrawn when the syndicate who owned the character protested. Ray didn't know that he needed their permission! It is available on the Varese Sarabande album "All-Time Greatest Hits." The song includes a mention of Rin Tin Tin.

He did record " "Dudley Doo-Right Of The Highway Patrol" many years later. His first chart appearance was in 1961 with "Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated, Quick Dissolving, Fast Acting, Pleasant Tasting, Green and Purple Pills." This song is available on "The Best Of Ray Stevens," Rhino. (The liner notes for these albums were very helpful for this quiz.)

Answer: Clyde

"Ahab The Arab" first appeared in 1962. The Rhino collection includes the original album version. (It's longer than the single.) The Varese collection features a remake done for the 1969 "Gitarzan" album. The camel logo has appeared on many of his recordings. He has also used its name for a record label and video company. Many of his songs were published by Ahab Music.

Answer: A bathtub

This album appeared in 1963. It was his second album for Mercury Records. "Harry The Hairy Ape" and "Speedball" were on this album. It is currently out of print. I got my copy off ebay.

Answer: Santa Claus Is Watching You

This song has the camel subbing for Rudolph, who dislocated his hip in a twist contest. It is available on the Rhino collection. The 80s remake has almost entirely different lyrics. It was included in the video "Comedy Video Classics." The camel was nowhere around!

Answer: Unwind

Ray didn't want to be typecast as a novelty singer. So he quit recording for two years. His tenure at Monument Records brought him some attention as a serious singer. Yet there would be more novelty hits too. It is on both the Rhino and Varese collections.

Answer: Dolly Parton

Dolly also spent time at the Monument label. Some written accounts suggest problems. Apparently Ray had tried to record her as a pop singer. She threatened to leave the label, if she couldn't record country. (The source is "The View From Nashville," by Ralph Emery with Patsi Bale Cox.) Judging from her later crossover success, he may have just been before his time.

He later appeared on her 70s syndicated program. They dueted on a song he'd produced for her: "Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby."

Answer: 2

Ray won Grammies for "Everything Is Beautiful," and his arrangement of "Misty." He did get a nomination for "Gitarzan." Considering the career revivals of Tony Bennett and Johnny Cash, this number could change in the future.

Answer: Raindrops Keep Falling From My Head

Ray had just spent a lot of time on a new song, "Sunday Morning Coming Down." It remains an incredible, well-crafted performance. But the single didn't chart very high. Johnny Cash would have the hit.(Ray's version is available on the Rhino and Varese collections mentioned earlier." Incidentally, Ray did cover "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" on the "Everything Is Beautiful" album. I own a copy with a sticker that advertised its presence.

This album also has covers of the other songs in this question.

They are available on some CD collections, though a little hard to find.