Ray Stevens

For other people named Ray Stevens, see Ray Stevens (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Ray Stevenson.

Ray Stevens
Stevens on The Johnny Cash Show, between 1969 and 1971
Background information
Born	Harold Ray Ragsdale (1939-01-24) January 24, 1939 Clarkdale, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Country pop gospel novelty comedy
Occupations	Singer-songwriter arranger comedian
Instruments	Vocals keyboards trumpet
Years active	1957–present
Labels	NRC Mercury Monument Barnaby Warner Bros. RCA MCA Curb CBS Janus
Spouse	Penny Jackson ​ ​ (m. 1961; died 2021)​

Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939), known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country singer-songwriter and comedian. He is best known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty", as well as novelty hits including "Ahab the Arab", "Gitarzan" and "The Streak". Stevens has earned gold albums and has worked as a producer, music arranger, and television host. He was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.