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INTERVIEW WITH MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER AND
NOMINEE SUGARAY RAYFORD

Everything about Sugaray Rayford is super-size! His

voice, his passion, his drive, his heart, and his stature!
It’s no surprise that he is nominated for five Blues
Foundation 2019 Blues Music Awards, in the
categories of: B.B. King Entertainer of The Year, Band

of The Year, Instrumentalist Vocals, Soul Blues Album, and
Soul Blues Artist. In addition, his latest album “Somebody
Save Me” is nominated for a

Grammy.
©Lawrence Lebo

Born Caron Nimoy, in Smith
County, Texas, USA, on February

13, 1969, “Suga”, as he prefers
to be called, is no stranger to
youthful tragedy. He and his

siblings’ lives were poverty
stricken, with his mother dying
of cancer. About the experience

Sugaray recounts; “She suffered,
and we suffered. Then (when she
passed), we moved in with my

grandmother and our lives were
a lot better. We ate every day and
we were in church every day,
which I loved. I grew up in

gospel and soul.”

Gospel and soul permeate Rayford’s big vocal sound and awe-inspired performances. Each

one is like a spiritual revival awakening! One can’t help but being caught up in Sugaray’s
pure musical joy and enthusiasm.

B I asked Suga’ about his career and what this time is like for him. This is what he told me:

LL: This must be a very exciting time for you! Everything seems to be falling into
place in your career. You are nominated for 2019 Blues Music Award’s in 5 different

categories and nominated for this year’s Grammy for “Best Contemporary Blues
Album”. How does it feel?

SR: It has been really weird, unbelievable highs and devastating lows. My wife fighting
cancer, then winning a lot of awards, nominated for a Grammy, and unable to really share
that joy with her.