What a “streak.”
Ray Stevens is nothing short of a legend. The country singer and comedian, known for his humorous songs like “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” and “The Streak,” actually started out as a studio musician in Nashville and won a Grammy for his gospel song “Everything Is Beautiful.” But it was his comedic, novelty songs that have made Stevens a household name.
He had a chart-topping hit with “The Streak” back in 1974, a song that humorously poked fun at the trend of “streaking” and even inspired the catchphrase used by NASCAR broadcaster Darrell Waltrip, who would scream “Boogity, boogity, boogity” during the green flag of every race after hearing it in Stevens’ song.
“Mississippi Squirrel Revival” is another classic, telling the story of a squirrel getting set loose in “the First Self-Righteous Church” and sending the congregation into a frenzy.
But Stevens also wasn’t afraid to push the envelope with his songs, releasing hits that weren’t exactly politically correct like “Ahab the Arab,” and in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, “Osama – Yo Mama.” Most recently, Stevens tackled the subject of men competing in women’s sports with a new single “Since Bubba Changed His Name To Charlene.”
Back in 2018, Stevens opened CabaRay in Nashville, a showroom that featured regular performances from the singer himself. But earlier this year, Stevens announced what would be his final run of shows at CabaRay before hanging it up after his 60-plus year career.
At the time, Stevens acknowledged that he was slowing down and would instead spend his time in the studio – while leaving open the possibility of a special show here or there:
“I plan to stop performing regularly at my CabaRay Showroom here in Nashville at the end of 2024, but I’ll be going to work everyday in my recording studio and maybe I’ll do a few, a very few, shows in some old familiar places. I’m definitely slowing down but I haven’t come to a complete stop. Not yet, anyway!”
But over the weekend, Stevens took the stage at the showroom bearing his name for the final time, bringing to an end an incredible 6-year run at the theater.
FINAL SHOW TONIGHT AT THE CABARAY!
Come out and join us as we celebrate legendary music and comedy icon Ray Stevens performing his final night at the CabaRay in Nashville, TN!
This is Ray's last season of regularly performances!https://t.co/GbbeCmXdkO
(615) 327-4630 pic.twitter.com/4YaZYrtR5I— Ray Stevens (@RayStevensMusic) December 28, 2024
Of course it hasn’t all been easy. 2020 was obviously marked by the COVID pandemic disrupting shows at CabaRay and everywhere else. And in 2021, Stevens was forced to cancel his New Year’s Eve show at CabaRay after his wife of 60 years, Penny Jackson Ragsdale, passed away following a long battle with cancer.
But Stevens was still determined to continue to perform at CabaRay as long as possible, presenting Nashville locals and visitors alike with an experience unique to Music City and the opportunity to see a country music legend in the Las Vegas-style showroom.
It sounds like Stevens isn’t planning on going away any time soon, and will just be shifting his focus from performing to recording new music. But it’s always a little sad when you see the artists you grew up with getting older and stepping out of the spotlight.
Luckily, fans of Ray Stevens were able to catch one final show over the weekend from the country music legend.
@teambryie Ray Steven’s Last Show #mississippi #mississippisquirrelrevival #fyp #raystevens #cabaray #nashville #tn #tennessee #ifykyk
