VonRay'VONRAY'

Elektra Entertainment Group Inc.

Grade: A-

VonRay, originally from Orlando, Fla., is hitting the music industry by storm with their new, self-titled CD, 'VONRAY.' In a time of quickie record deals and talent contests on television for singers, songwriters and performers, making it in the music business the old-fashioned way seems to have been forgotten. But not by VonRay, who worked their way up from small, acoustic gigs in local clubs to being asked to open for fellow Floridians Creed last summer during their 2002 US tour.

VonRay's CD is packed full of wannabe hits that are just looking for a chance on the radio to make their explosive debut to the rest of the country. This group of five very talented musicians lead by Vaughan Rhea, founder and vocalist for the group, has been touring all over the South, in packed houses in Atlanta, Nashville and all over Florida.

From beginning to end, VONRAY is a dynamic set of songs. Their first single released from the CD, "Inside Out," was also highlighted on the February 2003 soundtrack for the WB's hit show, "Smallville," as the first featured song in the collection. The music has a high powered sound, aggressive and strong. Their 11-track CD doesn't lose any of its heat at all from the beginning to the end. "Inside Out" is the just the launching point for the rest of a great CD.

After "Inside Out," the listener runs the gamut from the contained rage the story of abuse portrayed in "Part Of Me," to a classic, sugary power ballad called "I'll Show You," which is quickly followed by a totally different sound in "I'm Learning," and then the pop-rock energy in "That's OK." There is a southern sound to "Fame," and a great closer called "Unstoppable Wave."

The smooth, alternative blast of music you get from this album makes it most definitely worth spending the money on. You will love cruising with this CD blasting, because each song is perfectly crafted to blare out from the speakers in your car, and make your ride that much more enjoyable.



- Stefanie Tuck