Nobody's Hero

October 2024
© B Side Lake Music/BMI

“Apparently, no one told Ray Cerbone about the fabled sophomore slump.  Cerbone’s second release, Nobody’s Hero Anymore, more than fulfills the promise of his auspicious 2019 debut, How Much Time. Most tracks are underpinned by Cerbone’s precise, delicate finger picking on acoustic guitar, but augmented by blues banjo and harp, violin, cello, dobro, and perhaps the most tasteful tuba in all of Americana music. His voice is in fine form, expressive, ranging from passionate to an almost conversational resignation in the quietest phrases.” 
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~ Rob Carter, Random Routes KEOS 89.1 FM – Bryan/College Station, TX

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Another journey through layers of "Americana and More." Sometimes with eyes open by a vehicle of steel...sometimes with eyes closed on one of Steel and Wood...sometimes just a glimpse through the mind's eye... and then sometimes from the heart. This musical journey is for you, the listener. Let it ease you down the road with lyric and note from wherever you are to another place. Enjoy the ride! Ray

Thanks to Jake Clayton, Scott Wyatt, Paul Smithson, Roy Schneider, Julian Sunby, Nikki Talley, Kat Epple, Shannon Larkin, Chris McDonald Noel, “Sunny D”, Kim Mayfield, Nancy Koerner – all great musicians I am so fortunate to have been able to collaborate with on this project.
And my most heartfelt thanks to Gia Cerbone for her ultimate support, tolerance, patience, inspiration, and critical listening.

Ray Cerbone: Lowden and Larrivee acoustic guitars, main vocals, harmony vocals, whistling
Jake Clayton: Bass, cello, fiddle, dobro
Scott Wyatt: Bass
Paul Smithson: Bass
Roy Schneider: Dobro, banjo, blues harp, electric guitar on “The Moon and the Bottle”, mandolin, harmony vocals
Julian Sunby: Hammond B3 organ
Nikki Talley: Banjo, harmony vocals
Kat Epple: Flute
Shannon Larkin: Percussion
Chris McDonald Noel: Celtic flute, pennywhistle
“Sunny D”: Tuba (“The Big Top”)
Kim Mayfield: Harmony vocals
Nancy Koerner: Harmony vocals
Gia Cerbone: Ultimate support, tolerance, patience, inspiration, and critical listening

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written by Dougie Maclean – Kobalt T Music Pub AmericaInc. OBO Limetree Aarts And Music – Arranged and produced by Ray Cerbone

Written by Joe Virga – Joe Virga Publishing – Arranged and Produced by Ray Cerbone

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.
 

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written by Gary Hannan – Never Forgotten Publishing, BMI – Arranged and Produced by Ray Cerbone

Written, arranged, and produced by Ray Cerbone.

Written by Charles Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner – Bourne Co.
Arranged and Produced by Ray Cerbone

Dedicated to Robin Williams

How Much Time

July 2019
© Ray Cerbone Music/BMI

How much time indeed...How long from that New York City pawn shop to these twelve songs? Been one hell of a ride!

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Thank You to friends and folks who believed in my music enough to share their time and talents:

Gil Jusino * Maria Valsi * JRobert Houghtaling * Kat Epple * Roy Schneider * Kim Mayfield * Christine Scholtus * The A.C.M.A. * Richard Fuggetta (Artist Extraordinaire) * Dianne Averill & Michael Rizzo * Chris Bradshaw (Photographer Extraordinaire)

And the neverending advice, support, understanding and love, of my wife Gia Cerbone whose indispensable talent made this project become a reality. Also a special thank you to my family for giving this soul strong roots.

…where it all began…a train ride to NYC with a friend to buy my first guitar…and so the love of “that sound” began.

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals

…a story of life…love…and a train…in four parts. How close is this story to your heart? Might be “right next to you”.

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Gil Jusino – Upright bass

…yes, a little influence from Guy…nothing wrong with that. …and it could be “nothing but the stillness in the air”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Gil Jusino – Upright bass

…get through it… “hold tight to your dreams, it’s just a simple three step”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals

…Thank you Jaime Michaels…the best way there isn’t always a straight line…of this I am sure!

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Gil Jusino – Upright bass

…My tribute to Guy Clark…”where only memories live anymore”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Gil Jusino – “Bowed” Upright bass
Roy Schneider – Dobro
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Kim Mayfield – Vocals

…they slip through your fingers…fall through your mind…painted with “brush strokes in a transparent hand”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Kat Epple – Flute
Gil Jusino – Upright bass
Christine Scholtus – Vocals
Roy Schneider – Bongos
Gia Cerbone – “Seductive whispers”

…just a peek into my back pages…”remember all the good times”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Gil Jusino – Upright bass
Roy Schneider – Dobro, “Giddyap hoofs”

…Thank you Richard Shindell…”show a little mercy for a weary sinner”

Live In The Studio as “The Trio”
Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Maria Valsi – Vocals
Gil Jusino – “Bowed” electric bass

…Thank you Roy Schneider…”this ain’t a song ’bout gettin’ old, just reflections of my soul”

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Roy Schneider – Melodica, Mandolin

…”tearin it up”…WOOOOOO

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Gil Jusino – Upright bass
JRobert Houghtaling – Fiddle
Roy Schneider – Dobro
Featuring = “The Roadhouse Choir” Maria, Kim, Roy

…and I leave you with that question.

Ray Cerbone – Guitar and vocals
Roy Schneider – Dobro

CD Order

Would you like to order a CD for How Much Time or Nobody’s Hero?

Easiest way…Complete this form and I’ll ship a copy right to your door. I’ll contact you to arrange payment through PayPal to keep your payment info private. Direct orders are $20 which includes shipping. Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you. Ray.

Apparently, no one told Ray Cerbone about the fabled sophomore slump. Cerbone’s second release, Nobody’s Hero Anymore, more than fulfills the promise of his auspicious 2019 debut, How Much Time. Most tracks are underpinned by Cerbone’s precise, delicate finger picking on acoustic guitar, but augmented by blues banjo and harp, violin, cello, dobro, and perhaps the most tasteful tuba in all of Americana music. His voice is in fine form, expressive, ranging from passionate to an almost conversational resignation in the quietest phrases. And the songs themselves, eight originals and four covers, including Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” (!), combine unflinching, gut-wrenching observations of life, (Cerbone has been a first responder with the police and coast guard – check out the title track), around an inner core of nuanced sentiment for days gone by (“Another Town Gone Down” and Joe Virga’s “The Big Top”). The production is strong and clear, the sequencing is consistently entertaining. The instrumental, “The Lake” even morphs into a flute-based jazz workout celebrating Cerbone’s beloved Lake August. Advance tracks are receiving positive responses in the Lone Star State.

Rob Carter
Random Routes
KEOS 89.1FM
Bryan/College Station, TX

Thank You