News And Updates: October 1st, 2026
Welcome October! Here we are heading into the fall season full force with the winter's chill not far behind. With plenty of nice weather still on the horizon, I'm back to bring everyone an update on exciting events taking place in my world of music.
First off, as a reminder, the new album WaterColors is scheduled for it's release on October 22nd and I can't wait for everyone to finally hear the music that fills the tracks on this album. If you've heard my music already, you certainly know what to expect. Those of you new to my music, you can stroll around the site and also listen to my entire catalog directly on the website.
Now, here is what's going on in October. I have lined up 3 events for this month, 2 of the events are with outstanding radio/podcaster personalities and 1 is with a singer/songwriter that runs her own tv show on the Roku channel called The Ranch.
First off, on Thursday October 8th, at 11AM CST, 12PM EST, I'll be joining my friend John K from Radio Downtown CA (https://www.radiodowntown.ca/) on his highly regarded independent artist spotlight program “The Perfect Note." John and I will be spinning tunes from the album and discussing in detail the story behind the songs and the concept of the album. Since the album won't be released until October 22nd, John K will be debuting the songs for the very first time. Make sure you tune in for the show, this is gonna be special!!
Then on Monday October 12th, I will be doing an interview with radio host/podcaster James Michael Hollenstein. James runs an incredible platform for indie artists called The Record Machine Show (https://www.therecordmachineshow.com).
James and I will be digging deep into the new album's evolution, the inspiration behind each track and why it was so important to release WaterColors. In addition to the discussion about WaterColors, music fans will have the opportunity to hear tracks from the album before its scheduled release on October 22nd.
Shortly after the interview is completed, James will post the interview to his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@therecordmachineshow2610) and once it's available, I will let everyone know.
Wrapping things up a for the month of October, I have a special treat for everyone. While researching opportunities to promote WaterColors, I discovered a wonderful independent artist by the name of Randie O'Neil (https://www.randieoneil.com). Her catalog is incredibly good and quite expansive. I really liked her work.
I was navigating her website and I came across information about her tv program that she hosts on the Roku channel called The Ranch. On her program Randie promots independent artists and their music through the use of their music videos.
Randie was open for submissions so I sent in 3 videos of mine and hoped to hear from her. Not to long after submitting, I received an email from her stating she liked my work and that she'd like to have me on her show on October 26th. I contacted Randie and told her I'd love the opportunity to sit with her and discuss my work, my videos and the music business as a whole. I don't have much more for detail at this point but the show is scheduled and I couldnt be more delighted!!
As promised, I have officially updated you on what's going to take place this month with regards to interviews, showcases and my participation in musical events. You never know, there may be more on the horizon but for now, that's what's happening.
Tomorrow, I will be back to update everyone on radio airplay opportunities, playlist adds and other exciting ways to find and listen to my work. Thanks for checking in and as always, thanks for the support!! Peace to you. Ray J
News And Updates: September 30th, 2026
Greetings guys, I am back today to give you an update on where we sit with the new album release of WaterColors. I was finally contacted (by email) from live support at CD Baby and I was informed that it was in my best interest to “push” the release date of October 6th forward because it was highly “doubtful” that the album would be released before or on that date.
The reason for the delay in distributing the album has been due to a substantial influx of new releases and because of “errors” in metadata that I had provided in my “build” of the release. Therefore, it was recommended that I move the release date forward which I have done. So, assuming the album passes inspection, WaterColors will be released on Thursday, October 22nd.
I have no control over how quickly the release moves through the channels of CD Baby. I have made the necessary metadata corrections and have resubmitted, therefore, I expect that approval will be issued within the next 10 days and an October 22nd release date can be achieved.
Obviously I'm disappointed and I apologize to all who are disappointed as well. However, the good news is that WaterColors is coming soon and after you have a listen to it, you will find that it was certainly worth the wait.
Now, I invite you to check back here tomorrow for more updates on the promotions I have coming up in support WaterColors. Live interview dates, platform placements and radio additions are all on the table. So check in tomorrow and I will share this information with you. Thanks for your support and I sincerly thank you for your patience. Stay well!!
News And Updates: September 28th, 2026
Hello music fans, I'm back with an update for the those of you following me through my website. As you know, my new album WaterColors has a release date of October 6th, Tuesday of next week. There have been a number of issues with my distributor, CD Baby, since my initial submission to them for distribution nearly 4 weeks ago. Their delays in providing service and support has bee extremely poor and that has greatly hindered the process of releasing my album. Their is the potential that WaterColors may not meet it's release date of October 6th and may be delayed.
Presently, my album is “in review” for distribution once again and I have no options available to me in order to reach them for support other than using their AI chatbots. Needles to say, support is relatively “non-existent.” Human support is only available through escalating my issue through using the chatbot (which I've done) but even then, communication with a live agent is only available through email and their follow up is non-existent. Like all of you, all I can do at this point is to moniter the situation and “hope for the best”. As soon as I have more information on this unfortunate situation, I will let all of you know. However at this point, I cannot guarantee the release date of October 6th and for that I am very sorry and apologize to everyone.
However, check in tomorrow because there are many positive things to report regarding the album release that I will share with you as well as other “cool things” happening that are non-related to the release of WaterColors. Until tomorrow, thanks for the support guys, love to all!!
News And Updates: September 16th, 2026
Greetings fans, I'm back with a mid-week update for everyone regarding a couple of items. First thing to know is that the distribution of my new album WaterColors is STILL in the “release approval” stage. I had hope that by this time I would be able to give you more information on pre-saves and pre-order availability but I can't provide that until the album is released, sorry for the delay.
However, on a positive note, I have recently received my first review of WaterColors by Rob Bennett who is the owner/publisher of the magazine The Vibe Vault. Rob has taken time to listen to the entire album and has focused in on the track Heart Shaped World. It is a wonderful piece of journalism and his analysis of the song and it's relationship to the entire album is fascinating. I encourage everyone to read this review.
I am posting the link to the review below for easy access. I think you will enjoy reading Rob's take on Heart Shaped World as much as I did.
Sign up for my mailing list at the top of this page and send me a note and let me know what you think about this review. Talk to you soon!!
News And Updates: September 11th, 2026
ARRIVING OCTOBER 6TH, THE 6TH STUDIO ALBUM BY RAY JOHNSON & DAVE BIERITZ WATERCOLORS
Hey fans, I am so excited to bring you this update today on the status of our new album WaterColors!! WaterColors is now in the distribution portion of the manufacturing/release process and I am currently waiting for “release approval” from CD Baby (our distribution partner). Once “release approval” has been received, WaterColors will be distributed to major music platforms worldwide, including Youtube Music, for streaming and purchasing. Although the album will not be available for streaming and purchase to the general public until October 6th, pre-saves, pre-adds and pre-orders will be made available to everyone before October 6th.
IMPORTANT: I will notify fans in this section, "News and Updates”, with updated information on Spotify Pre-saves, Itunes Pre-adds, Itunes Pre-orders and Amazon Pre-orders, once the album has been distributed to all platforms.
I encourage everyone to check back soon. I have an enormous amount of promotional information to share regarding new videos, new reviews, new radio airplay and new live on-air interviews. I will share all of this with you very soon so check back frequently. Ray J.
News And Updates: August 17th, 2026
Releasing October 6th, 2026, the 6th album by Ray Johnson called “Water Colors”, with the lead single “Be Still My Heart”, will be available on all major streaming platforms and for sale through Bandcamp at www.rayjohnson.bandcamp.com
As an added bonus, “Water Colors” will also be available on vinyl and CD through my partnership with Elastic Stage.
Currently, you will find all 5 prior album releases available on vinyl and CD. “Water Colors” will be available soon after it's initial release on October 6th.
To purchase all vinyl and CD products simply copy & paste this link in your browser: https://elasticstage.com/rayjohnson61
NEWS AND UPDATES: August 15th, 2026
MAESTRO MUSIC CHANNEL REBROADCAST IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ROKU CHANNEL!!
Hey Fans, last night was the debut video premier of my hit song Strawberry Moon on Maestro Music's Prairie Mountain Artist Showcase brought to you by the Roku channel and Westman Promotions.
If you missed the live broadcast on Maestro Music T.V, I have GREAT NEWS for you! Maestro Music has a Roku Channel App for rebroadcasts in addition to their app for “live broadcasts” (Maestro T.V.).
Search for Maestro Music, open the app, head to Season 5 and select Episode 3, it's that easy!!
Check out all the great videos for Episode 3 starting with Steve Schmitt's video (singer/songwriter and friend of mine), followed by my video, Strawberry Moon. 5 more videos will follow and you will have then captured the full evening of great independent artists, their music and their videos that aired last night. Thanks for your support and thanks for watching!!!
I would be remise if I didn't mention that video production, design, development and creation was provided by Karin Johnson. Without her incredible talents this video would not exist and the chance to take part in this wonderful opportunity by Maestro Music would not have been possible. Thank you so very much Karin.
NEWS AND UPDATES: August 11th, 2026
EXCITING NEWS HAS JUST REACHED MY DESK TODAY AND IT CAME FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS UP NORTH IN CANADA, THE MAESTRO MUSIC GROUP.
A Few months back, I had mentioned to everyone that 2 of my videos had been approved for television airplay through a phenomenal resource available to independent artists called Maestro Music. The videos I submitted were Strawberry Moon and Half A Chance.
Today, I was notified that this coming Friday August 14th, you and I will have the opportunity to watch “Strawberry Moon” debut on television for the very first time the program begins at 7PM Central Time. How Exciting!!! I hope you can join me this coming Friday and experience this incredible event with me.
Below is the email I received today, please read through it just in case I may have missed some information that you need to know.
Greetings from Maestro Music Group!!
You're receiving this message because a video you have submitted to us has been selected for airing on an upcoming episode of Prairie Mountain Artist Showcase! PMAS is broadcast on our Roku channel (Maestro TV) and shared with television and satellite stations across Canada for syndicated broadcasting.
The episode containing your video will be aired this Friday at 7pm Central and will be viewable throughout North America on Maestro TV. A huge shout out to WESTMAN PROMOTIONS for sponsoring this episode - thank you for your support! For more info on the sponsor, please visit their website:
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN ARTIST SHOWCASE:
SEASON 5 EPISODE 03
Original Airdate: August 14th, 2026 7PM Central, 8PM Eastern
Featuring Music From:
*STEVE SCHMITT
*RAY JOHNSON
*BILLY RAY ROCK
*EVERAY
*PUAH
*THE PUNCTURISTS
*GET THROUGH