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Gary RayeGary Raye
Gary Raye is a native of East Peoria, Illinois. He has enjoyed singing all his life beginning at the age of four when he heard his first Elvis Presley record. Gary has performed all over the Midwest at benefits, civic centers, night clubs, hotels, fairs, schools, private clubs, parties, weddings, etc. He has performed with many different bands and toured with the "Tiny Hill Orchestra". One of Gary's most exciting achievements centers around the International Tribute to Elvis week held every year in Memphis, TN for which he has been a featured performer many times. In 1985 Gary was one of several Elvis entertainers filmed in the documentary film, "Elvii", a film about Elvis impersonators; performing his "Elvis Experience" show nightly at a Memphis hotel in 1987; and becoming a top five finalist in the Bad Bob's Vapors Annual Elvis impersonator contests in 1988 and 1990 out of a total over 90 contestants. Gary is a regular performer at several local nightclubs and has performed at the Par-a-dice Hotel Casino. He has been featured several times on a local television program entitled, Country Music Showcase hosted by Ray King, which has a format similar to the Nashville Now program. Gary has also performed in several Talent Showcases in Branson, Missouri including a national show held at the Thunderbird Theater. In 2002 & 2003, Gary was a finalist for the ICMA New Male Vocalist Award. In July 2003, he performed at the Star Systems 2003 National Finals held in Myrtle Beach, SC where he won First Place and a High Gold Achievement Award for Senior Vocalists and also won Second Place Overall Senior Vocalists. He also received an Outstanding Overall Performance Award. In March 2004, Gary won the 2004 Horizon Award for Male Entertainer of the Year, Traditional Country at North American Country Music Association International (NACMAI) Awards Competition held in Pigeon Forge, TN. He also recently competed for the 2004 Star Systems National Talent Competition Midwestern Regional contest and won first place and Platinum Achievement Award, the highest Award possible. . In March 2005, Gary showed off his gospel talents at the NACMAI Awards Competition in Pigeon Forge, TN by being named the 2005 New Gospel Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and by receiving the 2005 New Gospel Horizon Award for Male Entertainer of the Year. As part of the vocal duo ‘Double Shot’, Gary along with entertainer Jason Gordon was named the NACMAI Traditional Country Vocal Duo of the Year. Gary is constantly updating his show by adding material and variety to his vocal styles. He performs many high voice or falsetto songs like such artists as; Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Bee Gees, and The Tokens and also does a great Louis Armstrong impression. Although it may be true that more times than not that Gary has been accused of lip-syncing when performing, he is a very talented entertainer/vocalist.

Location: East Peoria, IL

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