Sugaray Rayford Concert Review

Sugaray Rayford is a mastermind when it comes to connecting a packed audience on a rainy evening.  Wearing a black cowboy hat and a crispy red plaid sports coat, this urban cowboy welcomed us NOLA style!  The fans felt welcomed from the first song as he threw bead necklaces to them.  His hands moved up and down to direct the band while dancing, especially with his two horn players.  To get a groove moving, he started by dancing with the band, then stretched out to the room from the front to the foyer, all the time dancing.

He’s played internationally, even in Svalbard, a Norwegian island, at a midnight sun blues festival.  Still on his bucket list is playing in Africa.  All this is reflected in his song, “I Don’t Regret a Mile,” when as a child, he never thought he’d move beyond his native east Texas.  It talks about his first journeys from serving 10 years as a Marine to the constant touring.  Deeper inspiration came during the pandemic, when he nearly quit the music business.  Instead life gave a stronger experience from the many songs he wrote during that time, such as in the song “Too Deep.”

Another heartfelt piece was “Invisible Soldier,” where he sung about the stresses and issues of serving overseas, from worrying about living and the challenges of PTSD.  The band played the song with equal conviction, understanding how serving our country is a challenge.

He concluded the incredible evening, dedicating “You and I,” to lovers where he sang to those in front, the band, and all the rest in the building.