16 Facts About Ray Pennington

Ramon Daniel Pennington was an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Ray Pennington is known for writing the song "I'm a Ramblin' Man", and for founding the independent Step One Records label.

Ray Pennington first performed in a western swing band called the Western Rhythm Boys, which performed in Ohio.

However, Ray Pennington was dissatisfied with the recording, so he asked that it be withdrawn as a single.

Ray Pennington produced for The Stanley Brothers and Reno and Smiley, playing drums for the latter.

Ray Pennington continued to perform in both the Western Rhythm Boys and another band called the Starliners.

Ray Pennington worked at a record store and released a rhythm and blues single called "I Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying", under the name Ray Starr.

Ray Pennington moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1964, where he worked at Pamper Music, producing for Tex Williams and Kenny Price, who recorded two of Ray Pennington's songs: "Walking on New Grass" and "Happy Tracks".

Ray Pennington signed to Capitol Records in 1966 as a recording artist, charting three songs before leaving.

Ray Pennington moved to Monument Records in 1969, where he charted five more times, but soon left that label to work at RCA Records.

Ray Pennington charted his last solo single, "She Wanted a Little Bit More", on MRC Records in 1978.

Ray Pennington later founded the duo Bluestone with Jerry McBee, and charted "Haven't I Loved You Somewhere Before".

In 1984, Ray Pennington co-founded Step One Records with Mel Holt.

Ray Pennington Price was the first act signed to the label, and fiddler Clinton Gregory charted three Top 30 hits while on Step One.

Ray Pennington died on October 7,2020, at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Ray Pennington was 86, and died after entering a garage that had caught fire.