ABOUT RAYMOND HAYDEN
“For as long as I can remember, all I've thought about is music,” says Tacoma-based keyboardist Raymond Hayden, a fixture of the Pacific Northwest music community. “I wake up thinking about music and I go to bed thinking about music.”
Many can relate to that statement. Few, though, have a resume as extensive and diverse as Hayden's, which reaches into just about every corner of the music industry, and spans over thirty-five years and two continents.
Hayden's career as a touring musician began at age 9, traveling in a drum and bugle corps around the US. west coast and Canada. In 1986, he began playing keyboards in his first rock band, while serving in the U.S. Army in Mannheim, West Germany. “I'm very proud of my military experience,” he says. “It showed me how truly small the world is. That has given me grace that is in my music lyrically.”
In the decades since, Hayden has cemented a strong reputation back home in the States as a progressive rock musician, with forays into jazz, adult contemporary, pop rock, country, and blues. In 2002, Borders Music & Books sponsored him for a tour of in-store performances of his solo piano album, “A Doorway Through Your Tears,” to much acclaim. More recently, he has toured Europe with Sweetkiss Momma and Jessica Lynne, and can currently be found performing with Lynne as well as Strangely Alright, Grieve the Astronaut, and Monsters in the Dark.
“What I've taken from each band has prepared me for the next, and made me a more versatile player--truly playing for the song.” Over the years he has had the opportunity to play support slots for legendary acts, including April Wine, Blue Oyster Cult, Jonny Lang, Nazareth, Drowning Pool, Berlin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Trace Atkins, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio and even comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy.
Hayden has also had a hand in the success of a host of other artists, via his boutique label Maurice the Fish Records, as artist manager for Nolan Garrett, and as a concert promoter for countless shows including his collaborative Evening of Keys series. He is also a podcast host and blogger, creating content for Shure, Gigs4U, Seattle Wave Radio, NWCZ Radio and others.
His broad industry experience enables him to be a valuable mentor for up and coming artists, and he is passionate about doing so. In addition to personally taking young artists under his wing, Hayden also served as board president for Ted Brown Music Tacoma's outreach organization, and as a music mentor for their Live It OutLoud rock band summer camp program.
“Collaboration and nurturing other artists is paramount to my desire to support the collective.” Hayden says. “Connecting with my fellow humans is my real passion; music is the vehicle I utilize to do this.”
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
● Current bands: Grieve the Astronaut, Strangely Alright, Jessica Lynne and Monsters in the Dark (Showcase Band)
Nazareth, Drowning Pool, Diamond Rio, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Trace Atkins, Sawyer Brown.
SOLO ALBUMS
PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT
● Label CEO & Owner: Maurice the Fish Records
RADIO & ON-LINE CONTENT CREATOR
● Contributor to: "HOME" Poems and Songs inspired by American Immigrants by Deepak Chopra& Kabir Seghal
● Creator: 4S Philosophy on Success in the Music Business
VIDEO SERIES: https://www.grievetheastronaut.com/4s.html
BLOG: “4S Music Industry Philosophy for Success”
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
● Board president and music mentor for Ted Brown Music Outreach/Live it Out Loud
Many can relate to that statement. Few, though, have a resume as extensive and diverse as Hayden's, which reaches into just about every corner of the music industry, and spans over thirty-five years and two continents.
Hayden's career as a touring musician began at age 9, traveling in a drum and bugle corps around the US. west coast and Canada. In 1986, he began playing keyboards in his first rock band, while serving in the U.S. Army in Mannheim, West Germany. “I'm very proud of my military experience,” he says. “It showed me how truly small the world is. That has given me grace that is in my music lyrically.”
In the decades since, Hayden has cemented a strong reputation back home in the States as a progressive rock musician, with forays into jazz, adult contemporary, pop rock, country, and blues. In 2002, Borders Music & Books sponsored him for a tour of in-store performances of his solo piano album, “A Doorway Through Your Tears,” to much acclaim. More recently, he has toured Europe with Sweetkiss Momma and Jessica Lynne, and can currently be found performing with Lynne as well as Strangely Alright, Grieve the Astronaut, and Monsters in the Dark.
“What I've taken from each band has prepared me for the next, and made me a more versatile player--truly playing for the song.” Over the years he has had the opportunity to play support slots for legendary acts, including April Wine, Blue Oyster Cult, Jonny Lang, Nazareth, Drowning Pool, Berlin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Trace Atkins, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio and even comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy.
Hayden has also had a hand in the success of a host of other artists, via his boutique label Maurice the Fish Records, as artist manager for Nolan Garrett, and as a concert promoter for countless shows including his collaborative Evening of Keys series. He is also a podcast host and blogger, creating content for Shure, Gigs4U, Seattle Wave Radio, NWCZ Radio and others.
His broad industry experience enables him to be a valuable mentor for up and coming artists, and he is passionate about doing so. In addition to personally taking young artists under his wing, Hayden also served as board president for Ted Brown Music Tacoma's outreach organization, and as a music mentor for their Live It OutLoud rock band summer camp program.
“Collaboration and nurturing other artists is paramount to my desire to support the collective.” Hayden says. “Connecting with my fellow humans is my real passion; music is the vehicle I utilize to do this.”
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
● Current bands: Grieve the Astronaut, Strangely Alright, Jessica Lynne and Monsters in the Dark (Showcase Band)
- Select past bands: Ambition, NEVES, Montgomery Park, Bad Flowers, Maurice the Fish, Jupiter Order, Nolan Garrett, Sweetkiss Momma & Limberlost.
- Have performed with The Travis Larson Band (National Touring Band), Larry Mitchell (Grammy Winner & International Touring Artist), Andrew Landers (National Touring Artist), Cirke (Danish X-Factor FInalist), Van Owen, Rikk Beatty, Paul Sawtelle (European Grammy Winner), Late September Dogs, Eric Lilavois (PNW CHAPTER VP Grammys, Artist, Producer & Owner at London Bridge Studios)
- Recorded with Limberlost & "Limberlost Volume I" won the 2019 International Singer-Songwriters Association Bronze "Album of the Year"
- Denmark Tour with Jessica Lynne (2014 & 2018)
- European tour with Sweetkiss Momma (2016)
- European tour with Ambition (1986/1987/1988/1989)
- Borders Books & Music PNW tour (2002), supporting solo piano album “A Doorway Through Your Tears”
Nazareth, Drowning Pool, Diamond Rio, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Trace Atkins, Sawyer Brown.
SOLO ALBUMS
- A Doorway Through Your Tears (2002)
- September Sky (2007)
- Music Video for Mystic Rhythm
- Broken (2012)
- Lyric Video for Cold November Rain
- By Your Side (2013)
- Grieve the Astronaut (2015)
- Lyric Video for Million Hands
- Live @ Verge Studios Painters Moon
- Live @ Verge Studios Will I Ever Find Love (New Single to be recorded in 2020)
- Live @ Auburn Avenue Theatre Death of a Muse / Will I Ever Find Love (New Single to be recorded in 2020)
- Music Video for Rain
- Music Video for Accidental Grace
- Live Music Video for Awakening
PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT
● Label CEO & Owner: Maurice the Fish Records
- Manager: Nolan Garrett
- Concert series developer: “Evening of Keys” and "Angle Lake July 4th" series for City of SEATAC
RADIO & ON-LINE CONTENT CREATOR
● Contributor to: "HOME" Poems and Songs inspired by American Immigrants by Deepak Chopra& Kabir Seghal
● Creator: 4S Philosophy on Success in the Music Business
VIDEO SERIES: https://www.grievetheastronaut.com/4s.html
BLOG: “4S Music Industry Philosophy for Success”
- Blogger for SHURE NOTES audio gear and GIGS4U
- Podcasts: The Aquarium (NWCZ radio) and Houston (Seattle Wave Radio) Highlight Interviews: Steve Lukather (Toto), Steve Lynch (Autograph) , Zane Carney (John Mayer), Gus Seyfert (Beck), James McCartney (Paul McCartney's Son), Eric Tingstad (Grammy Winner), Geoff Ott (London Bridge Studios), Lynn Sorenson (Bad Company), Roger Fisher (Heart), Ben Smith (Heart), Ethan Tucker (THE VOICE CONTESTANT - Singer/Songwriter), Michael Tomlinson (Singer/Songwriter), Ron Rinehart (Dark Angel), Paul Sawtelle (European Grammy Winner) and a few interviews on the Unicorn Interviews...
- TV show: Strangely Alright TV with Regan Lane (YouTube)
- Radio: Ray's Music Minute (FM KAYO - Olympia, WA)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
● Board president and music mentor for Ted Brown Music Outreach/Live it Out Loud
- Producer of Fish Food concerts, benefitting Pierce County Food Banks
- Mentor to young up and coming artists as well as veteran artists.
