Daily Inspiration: Meet Ray Carr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Carr.

Hi Ray, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I’ve been an avid radio lover my whole life; I started my DJ journey in 1981, just after my high school graduation. I attended Cleveland State University that fall and met a DJ named Mario, who gave me an opportunity to spin records at bars & parties. I was 18 and very green. It took a while to learn how to handle crowds and keep people dancing, but in short order, I made a name for myself using D.J. Ray as my handle. The years went by, and I stayed very busy for decades, performing at all sorts of events: wedding receptions, graduation parties, birthday parties, and emceeing at fundraisers and local charity events, just about any kind of event imaginable. I Co-Hosted a radio show called Lighten Up on WHK from 2001-2002, however, I needed a change, a new challenge, so in 2008 I went back to CSU and joined the college station WCSB, where my life changed dramatically. I’ve always admired radio people like Larry King, Art Bell, Alan Freed, Johnny Holiday, George Noory, and others, which led to my radio show morphing into The Ray Carr Show, which broadcasts live every Tuesday morning from 6 am to 9 am EST since 2009. I and my Co-Host, Cindi Verbelun (who has been with the show since 2011 and hosts her own radio show: “Everyone Knows It’s Cindi” on WCSB’s “sister” internet studio on ihatefreespeech.net) feature in-depth, live interviews with prominent movers-and-shakers and Hollywood A-Listers, including Tom Hanks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Henry Winkler, Jimmy Webb and hundreds of others, plus unusual oldies, comedy interludes and eclectic, rare & amazing music from the 50’s 60’s and early 70’s rarely heard on radio. I was honored when the Late Michael Heaton, Cleveland’s Minister of Culture, nicknamed me the Larry King of Radio. In 2022 I was voted Favorite Cleveland Radio Host by The Cleveland Music Awards. I am also an athlete and coach, and I have played – and refereed – baseball, softball, ice and roller hockey, basketball, football, and cycling. I have been announcing and doing color commentary for Lakewood Schools since 2001. I ran in the CVS Marathon in 2000, finishing with a time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. I was a ball boy during the Cavaliers’ Miracle of Richfield 1975-1976 season, and I pitch for the The Greater Cleveland Adult Baseball League. I am also an animal rights advocate and a supporter of anti-drinking and anti-drug bills. I live in Lakewood, Ohio, and have two children, Raymond, Jr., a former rap singer known as LittleItaly, and Roy. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Many roadblocks, I had to be the most prepared and knowledgeable in my field to even have a chance to succeed. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for my interviews on the radio, my emcee work as a PA announcer for high school basketball games, my DJ work at events, and my ability to think quickly on my feet. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Be prepared and on time. And, as Jimmy Durante once said: “Be kind to everyone on the way up; you’ll meet the same people on the way down.” 

Contact Info:

• Website: raycarram.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ray_carr_show/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raycarram
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-carr-26667856/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RayCARR1728
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWwGCGTYck4VZ6ovr8V9jg

Image Credits
Headshot photo by John C. Benson
Theo Kent Photography