Miranda Lambert turned to social media this weekend to share the said news of the passing of Scotty Wray.
Anyone who’s seen Miranda perform knows that Scotty was one of the fixtures on stage next to her as her long-time guitarist.
But he was so much more – both on stage, and off stage.
Miranda shared, “I lost one of my most treasured friends, band mates and road family members, Scotty Wray. 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.”
Miranda continues, “Scotty 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.”
Our thoughts are with Miranda, her band and the Wray family, which includes fellow country singer Collin Raye.
Collin posted this about his older brother Scotty.
Collin shared, “Sad news this weekend for my family as my big brother, Scotty passed away Friday night in Arkansas. Though he had been suffering from an illness for some time, and was in a care facility, it was still sudden and shocking for me as I had spent hours with him, just the day before, and left him Thursday evening feeling like I’d see him again soon. We spent the day telling stories, reminiscing and laughing. I never would have guessed, he’d pass on, the next day. Me and my band, The Riff Raff, performed in Texarkana, Friday night. It was a special Classic Rock Tribute Show that Scotty really wanted to see. Realizing he was too sick to attend, I planned to make the entire night a tribute to him, and we videoed the show for him to watch later. Sadly, I later learned that he had passed away shortly before we took the stage. It has been a very emotional couple of days. Scotty and I began our long musical journey together, so many years ago. It is a bond that not everyone can understand. The Bruce Springsteen song, ‘No Surrender’ always reminds me of Scotty and I. Like the opening line, ‘Well we busted outta class, had to get away from those fools….. We learned more from a 3 minute record baby, than we ever learned in School’. I believe he still saw Friday’s show from a Heavenly vantage point. 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. Scotty was a very loving, big hearted person, who was loyal to Family and Friends, even from many years back. His passing will leave a noticeable void in my life, and in the lives of many. I’m so thankful that Scotty and I worked so closely together on my most recent album, Scars, from 2020. We sang together and wrote together for the album that I am proudest of. As far as my feelings are on what he’s doing now, at this moment, I’ve attached a song we wrote and sang together from that Album. Please give it a listen. Im very very proud of it. May Almighty God bless each of you. Thank you for reading this. Scotty, I love you…. We love you. I’ll see you on the other side of the Veil. Ps…. Save me a spot in the Band. Love, Bubba (Collin)”
Photos Courtesy of Miranda Lambert
