From the Grand Ole Opry to the Classroom: Colin Ray’s Journey Through Music, Community & Faith

Cherryville, NC (WNN) - After traveling to the Grand Ole Opry, Colin Ray has returned to Linconton to show his students what can be achieved when you keep on going. As a native of Western, NC, Ray knows you can't throw a rock without hitting someone who knows Bluegrass, and he made the most of it. After years of hard work and dedication, he can say he's accomplished many of his childhood dreams and hopes others do the same. 

Colin Ray’s Mentors and Life

While a young Colin may have dreamed of a steel guitar, at age 6, he began his introduction to the music world with a guitar. From here, he kept playing, gaining mentors along the way. The first of which was his grandfather, who took him to local jams, where he experienced the bluegrass community firsthand. However, he found his first teacher in a studio in Lincolnton. Jim McCurry helped spark his interests before his retirement, and then Ray found his way to Cherryville. 

Colin Ray - WNN Studios - September 21, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

“Everybody dreams, you know, when you start playing music, you dream about the opportunity maybe to one day play the Grand Ole Opry.” - Colin Ray

Ray’s next teacher may have helped nurture this idea as someone who has found himself at the Grand Ole Opry as well. Through his grandfather's connection to Cherryville, Ray found himself in the tutelage of Darin Aldridge. After honing his talents, he met Jamie Dailey and Darrren Vincent, which eventually led to his own arrival at the Grand Ole Opry’s Stage. His musical style was shaped by listening to country and playing bluegrass. However, he attributes his connections to the lord placing the right people in his life at the right times. In his song “He Guides My Life,” Ray shares a bit of the devotion he feels has brought him to his current life. 

Music and Education

Ray found himself mentoring others in a different way. Currently, he teaches at Lincoln Charter School as the high school Spanish instructor and golf coach. He feels that continually learning music has helped him become a better teacher. Despite the differences between teaching language and music, he sees overlap between performing on stage and performing in a classroom. As a firm believer in “those who love what they do, don’t work”, Ray doesn’t see these roles as something that is hard to balance. 

Colin Ray - WNN Studios - September 21, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

A large part of this is due to his peers' support. The school’s administration has been supportive in ensuring that Ray can pursue music alongside his classroom role. When asked what he enjoys about each field, Ray answered that he enjoys interacting with people. He has met plenty of interesting people, including one with a message he attempts to embody for his students:

“There's going to be times in your life, thousands of reasons to quit. But as long as there's one reason to keep on, keep on doing it.” 

At the times in life when Ray has felt he needed to focus on one area, he remembers this and keeps going. He feels this advice was integral for getting him to where he is today. The important part is picking it back up and keeping on going. He hopes his students see that it may take time, and their dreams may not arrive when they had expected, but if you work hard and have faith in yourself, if the lord is willing, your dreams will come true.

Where To Catch Colin Ray Live

You can find Ray playing locally with others from the area. To stay up to date on where he’ll be, check out his Facebook page  or Instagram account here. If you’ve never heard Ray perform before, then check out the video below for his interview as well as a live studio recording of “He Guides My Life.”