Ray Pillow
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Ray Pillow, a longtime Grand Ole Opry member, died on March 26, 2023. He was 85. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Pillow earned a business degree and served in the Navy before launching his music career. When a strong showing in a talent contest earned him a guest slot on the Opry, Pillow set his sights on Country Music. Signing with Capitol Records, Pillow enjoyed a banner year in 1966 with a Top 10 duet with Jean Shepard (“I’ll Take the Dog”), an invitation to join the Opry cast, and new artist accolades from Billboard and Cashbox. Between 1965 and 1981, Pillow charted 18 singles. With Lee Greenwood’s manager Larry McFaden, Pillow co-founded Sycamore Valley Music Company, which published the 1984 classic, “God Bless the USA.