Press room
For journalists, editors and producers covering the Ray Arts Foundation, Eddie Ray or the arts in North Carolina. Find our story in brief, send a request, and see the latest news.
About the Foundation
You are welcome to use either version as written.
The Ray Arts Foundation is co-founded by and in memory of Eddie Ray (1926–2026), the music executive from Franklin, North Carolina. The Foundation preserves the record of North Carolina’s artists and promotes the arts today. Its programs include the free NC Arts Directory, the Ray Arts Index and the Ray Certified Arts Community program.
The Ray Arts Foundation is co-founded by and in memory of Eddie Ray (1926–2026). Born in Franklin, North Carolina, Eddie Ray spent more than sixty years in the music business and was one of the first African American executives at a major record label. He served as a commissioner of the U.S. Copyright Royalty Tribunal, and he was the first executive director of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 2009.
The Foundation’s work has two sides. To preserve, it is developing the Eddie Ray Library of Creative Excellence, a researched and verified record of North Carolina’s artists. To promote, it publishes the free NC Arts Directory, covering music, theater, dance, visual arts, craft, literary arts, film and media, and museums and heritage; the Ray Arts Index, a pilot measure of each town’s cultural life; and the Ray Certified Arts Community program, whose founding cohort is now forming.
Until these details are posted, please use the form.
His biography on this site lists a source for every fact. His family’s site, eddieraymusicman.com, tells his story in full.
Biography and timelineThe family’s site
Brand and photos
Logos, photographs and a fact sheet will be posted here, each with its credit line. Until then, ask through the form.
[to come]
Family-supplied, used with permission, and credited as the family asks.
[to come]
[to come]
News
The Foundation’s first news will be posted here, starting with the State of the Arts in North Carolina 2026 and the founding cohort of Ray Certified Arts Communities.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame’s tribute to Eddie Ray, who died on June 21, 2026, at the age of 99.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame names its 2026 class and honors George Clinton with the Eddie Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, named for Eddie Ray.
Free for venues, groups and artists
Your listing may already be here, built from public records. Claim it free to fix the details, add photos you own and post your events.