Tony Wray
Best known for
Guitar
Tony Wray is a multi-instrumentalist guitarist and banjoist whose seven-year stint as a regular sideman with Mike Snider, Gibson Instruments banjo supervisor role (2004–2011), and current touring chair with Dan Tyminski and The Dillards have placed him among Nashville's most-credited utility musicians and producers.
- Multi-instrumentalist on guitar and banjo; began studying both at age 13 from old jazz recordings.
- Moved to Nashville in 1999 to work for Gibson Instruments; served as Gibson's banjo supervisor 2004–2011, hand-assembling and setting up every Gibson banjo released in that period.
- Seven-year stint as a regular sideman with Grand Ole Opry member Mike Snider, with continuing Opry appearances afterward.
- Founded the bluegrass group Blue Mafia with his wife Dara Wray (vocals/songwriter) and fiddler Kent Todd; signed to Pinecastle Records.
- Joined Dan Tyminski's Southern Gothic Tour as utility musician in 2019; subsequently band leader and "right-hand banjo man" on Tyminski's bluegrass dates.
- Member of the Pinecastle studio ensemble "Lord of the Strings" alongside fiddler Tim Crouch and bassist Dennis Parker.
- Currently tours with Dale Ann Bradley and The Dillards; runs full-service recording studios in Virginia and South Carolina (Tony Wray Productions).
- Extensive freelance/session credits with Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Béla Fleck, Marty Stuart, Tim O'Brien, Jesse McReynolds, and Randy Kohrs.