Gary Ray was born Gary Ray Pfaff in Landsthul, Germany into a military family where his dad was himself a songwriter…and fighter pilot. The family relocated to Tucker, Georgia outside of Atlanta when Gary was 5 years old. He was a music industry early bloomer, writing and performing his infectious brand of music since the age of 15. Gary's career path was etched early-on when in 1996 he shunned his High School graduation ceremonies to go on tour with Edwin McCain and has never looked back. Gary laughs, "I have been on the road ever since." Given the nickname "Young Gary" and "YG" early on by his older peers he shares a unique place in history when in September 1997 he was the last opening act for the sixties pop icon "The Monkeys", with the group's first opening act being Jimi Hendrix!. He continued to hone his performance skills with the likes of such local Atlanta legends as JoJo Herman of Widespread Panic, Col. Bruce Hampton and Shawn Mullins.