Miranda Lambert Songwriter & Longtime Guitarist Scotty Wray Dies
This story has been updated.
From the very beginning of Miranda Lambert’s career when she was just 17-years-old, guitarist, songwriter, and solo performer Scotty Wray had been by her side on stage, and contributing songs in the studio. Scotty Wray also happens to be the older brother of country performer Collin Raye. Now both musical families are mourning as it has been confirmed that Scotty Wray passed away on on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Wray had been battling heart issues over the last few years, which had taken him off the road.
When Miranda Lambert first started, she didn’t have a full band. It was just her and Scotty Wray with acoustic guitars, hitting any spot that would have them in Texas, from Dallas, Houston, and Austin, with Miranda singing her songs, and Scotty accompanying her. As things began to blow up and band members were added, Scotty Wray remained as bandleader, still with his guitar, acting as the constant and the anchor in Miranda Lambert’s sometimes tumultuous universe.
Scotty Wray also co-wrote multiple songs with Miranda, including “I Wanna Die” off of her debut major label record Kerosene from 2005, “Easy Living” from her 2011 album Four The Record, and “Gravity Is a Bitch” off of Miranda’s 2014 album Platinum. Wray also wrote the song “Scars” that Miranda Lambert has played live over the years, and became the title track to Collin Raye’s 2020 album. Scotty Wray also contributed other songs to his brother’s albums over the years, including 1998’s The Walls Came Down, and 2000’s Love Songs.
“Scotty was a very loving, big hearted person, who was loyal to Family and Friends, even from many years back,” Collin Raye said on Sunday. “I want to thank all the many Friends and our Family members, as well as our Music Industry Family, who have reached out in love, with their Prayers and Condolences. I know Scotty’s sweet Daughter, Sara appreciates the love being shown to her Dad, as I know we all do.”
Collin Raye confirms that Scotty had been suffering from an illness for some time, and was currently in a care facility, but it was still sudden and shocking to hear of his passing. “I had spent hours with him, just the day before, and left him Thursday evening feeling like I’d see him again soon.”
As close as Scotty Wray and Collin Raye were as bothers, Miranda and Scotty were like brother and sister, getting matching arrow tattoos on the outside of their palms to codify their longtime musical collaboration and friendship. Miranda posted a picture of the two showing the tattoos off Saturday evening when remembering Wray.
“Last night I lost one of my most treasured friends, band mates and road family members,” Miranda Lambert said Saturday. “We met in 2001 in Greenville Texas. I was 17. That was the beginning of our journey together. We went through so much life together on and off the stage. We wrote songs, played gig after gig, fought, cried, laughed and even got matching arrow tattoos after we made it out of some rough patches together.”
Lambert continues, “He was one of the most talented guitar players I’ve ever known and I’m so thankful I got to witness his genius seasoned laid back blues man style on stages all over the world for over 20 years. He was the one I could count on. Always. No matter what. If he was there on my right side I felt like I could take on the world. Scotty Wray was family to me and I’ll never sing a note without him because I know he is there with me. He always has been. I love you my sweet Bud Wray. Heaven is lucky cause that honky tonk band up there just gained another guitar pickin angel. Rest easy my love.”
Scotty Wray believed in Miranda Lambert when others didn’t. So often when you trace the success of country artists, there’s always that someone by their side through thick and thin—their ultimate champion. For Willie Nelson, it was Paul English. For Waylon Jennings, it was Richie Albright. And for Miranda Lambert, it was Scotty Wray.
February 19, 2022 @ 6:06 pm
Rip, legend.
February 19, 2022 @ 6:09 pm
In 2006, a bunch of us Handleman employees went to see Toby Keith at DTE (Pineknob). There were too many +1’s and not enough backstage passes/ meet and greets for TK. I forwent mine and my buddy and I went to meet Miranda Lambert instead. There were maybe 12 of us in this area outside next to the stage waiting. Miranda and Scotty came out with their guitars strapped and played 5 songs for us. It was the coolest M&G pre-concert. We got pictures and hung out for a little. Scotty was incredibly engaging and funny. Since that time forward, I’ve always looked for him on every award show performance.
I’m sad his life took such a turn and I’m sad for Miranda’s loss. But what way to spend your life doing what you love at such an elite level.
February 20, 2022 @ 4:58 pm
Handlemam!! Now there’s a blast from the past! Handleman, Lieberman, Camelot oy vey the memories
February 21, 2022 @ 11:12 am
I worked for National Record Mart in HQ Carnegie too. I does feel like a lifetime ago.
February 19, 2022 @ 6:31 pm
How old was he?
February 19, 2022 @ 6:48 pm
That’s a good question. As soon as I have an answer I will update this story. Saw this news earlier today, and had emailed some folks and poked around trying to get some more personal information about him which is hard to come by. We should at least know his age and where he was born, etc. Was hoping to have all of that together before I posted anything, but when Miranda addressed it, I felt it was important to give folks at least a bit more background on him.
February 19, 2022 @ 7:34 pm
His brother Collin Raye is 61. Does it say any where if he was older or younger than Collin? I’m going to guess 66.
February 21, 2022 @ 5:38 pm
I remember reading about him in Colin Raye’s book a few years ago, sounded like was a couple years older than Colin. Sounded like a great guy. Did not know he played with Miranda.
February 20, 2022 @ 2:07 am
I read 59 on another post.
February 20, 2022 @ 4:35 am
RIP fella.
February 20, 2022 @ 6:44 am
Really sad. I truly enjoyed watching and listening. He was not only talented, he was fun to watch. Won’t be the same.
February 20, 2022 @ 7:24 am
The headlines look like Maranda died also.. did she
February 20, 2022 @ 7:59 am
So sad! Rest in Peace!
February 20, 2022 @ 4:38 pm
I am truly saddened by this. I lurk here enough to know that most of the readers have disdain for Miranda Lambert. But I love her. And it is because of her that my 21 year old daughter loves REAL country music. Miranda led her to Dolly and Dottie and Barbara and Reba and Tammy.
And without Scotty, I doubt there would have been a Miranda.
His legacy is his music, his songs, and his skill …and also the career of one of the most successful and influential female artists in Country Music History.
#RIP
February 21, 2022 @ 1:13 am
So sorry Miranda for your loss your buddy will have your back keep making him proud he will be your wings now..
February 21, 2022 @ 4:05 am
Such a sad loss.
(The title implies that Miranda died as well. Revision is necessary. Thanks for the post.)
February 21, 2022 @ 8:56 am
I guess if someone reads the title quickly or just glances at it, possibly they could take it as saying Miranda died. But the title follows the AP rules of style for a standardized title. It is through Miranda Lambert that most people knew who Scotty Wray was, so the way the title is presented is appropriate.
February 21, 2022 @ 6:37 am
I have enjoyed Scotty and Miranda on stage, in many different states, for years and always thought their relationship was special. Somewhat of a ” I have your back ” bond. They brought many smiles to my face. I was miss that.
February 21, 2022 @ 7:41 am
It will be sad to watch her shows without him by her side & I’m sure it’s going to be hard for her ! We miss him to Miranda ! Will be praying for all of you ! I wouldn’t be listening to Country music if it wasn’t for Miranda Lambert! R.I.P. Scotty!
February 21, 2022 @ 11:35 am
Collin Raye released an album in 2020?
Can’t believe I missed it. I will check it out posthaste.
February 21, 2022 @ 7:40 pm
According to the obituary, he was 64 years old.
February 21, 2022 @ 10:12 pm
I READ THE TITLE OF THIS PIECE MAYBE 4 TIMES AND I READ IT THAT BOTH SHE AND HE DIED! MIRANDA LAMBERT SONGWRITER AND LONGTIME GUITARIST
SCOTTY WRAY DIES. NOW I HAVE BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR MANY YEARS BUT USING AN “‘AND” MEANS IT LINKS TWO OR MORE THINGS TOGETHER. CONSEQUENTLY THE TITLE IS TELLING ME THAT THEY BOTH DIED! NOW I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE NAME OF THE JOURNALIST WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE. THE CLOSEST I HAVE FOUND IS TRIGGER. SO TRIGGER, IF YOU’RE GOING TO WRITE FOR A LIVING I WOULD SUGGEST TAKING AN ENGLISH CLASS THAT LEANS HEAVILY ON DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES!
February 21, 2022 @ 10:17 pm
OKAY I WILL TAKE THAT UNDER ADVISEMENT!
February 22, 2022 @ 1:46 pm
Yup that did sounds n looks like they both died, they should fix that if only one passed away ..that’s not right….
February 23, 2022 @ 5:06 am
I sure hated to hear this today. Scotty sure was a good dude. He was by Miranda’s side from the very beginning, alot of the time just the 2 of them on radio tours n such. God bless ya ole buddy and prayers for Miranda. Im sorry you lost such a good friend.
February 24, 2022 @ 5:56 pm
I too thought the exact same thing as you, I even made some calls to friends to see if they heard or read anything about MIRANDA LAMBERT , they all said NO , so I go on-line and look it up to see if this is TRUE and it wasn’t, but , what was correct sadly it was TRUE for her TREASURED FRIEND/ FAMILY MEMBER ,
SENDING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
September 25, 2022 @ 7:57 pm
Was really sad to hear this. Lived his bond with miranda and they were fun to watch on stage. You could see their love and how they were musically in sync. Favorites of them together live were Scars, Crazy, and Little red Wagon. He was fun. RIP