Ray Noren--the quest to hear his playing

[Mike Neer]

I've been trying for some time to find anyone who may have heard Ray Noren play. Ray Noren is alive and well and was a wonderful steel player when he played back in the 50s and 60s. He gave up the instrument long ago and started playing bass until he eventually retired from music for other pursuits.

I speak with Ray on occasion and have accumulated as much info from him as I can about his career, but I've still never heard him play. Ray did numerous sessions in the 50s as well as the Ozark Jubilee as part of Red Foley's band (alongside Grady Martin and Fiddlin' Red Herron), but we weren't able to nail any specifics down. Ray also said there is a tape of him and Zane Beck playing but he is unable to find his copy.

Ray played the first guitar that Zane fitted with knee levers, and if you recall, it was sold recently on the west coast. I've got the tuning/copendent at home somewhere, although ray couldn't remember himself what it was (60 years is a long time).

Ray also played twin guitars with Glen Campbell in Dick Bills' band and he and Glen spent a lot of time together. Ray turned Glen on to Django Reinhardt, who was Ray's favorite.

I've heard it said that Ray was like Johnny Smith on steel and I've talked to a few people who knew Ray and have heard him play. I'm still looking for any information that anyone has with regard to Ray's playing. It's a long shot, I know, but Ray is an important player. It's been said that he made Chalker nervous, that's how good he was.

[Mike Neer]

Does anyone out there have a cassette copy of the Noren Session? I'd love to be able to talk to Ray about this.

[Russ Wever]

Get a hold of Zane Becks widow, Faye.
She may still have some of Zanes
reel-to-reels that may have Ray
on them.
Randy Beavers recalls listening to
a tape of Ray that Zane played
for him.
~Russ