Along with the music, Michael is eighth generation to his family’s 30 acre farm land. The family is made of music with a family band called The Brothers Cousin. He however does talk about the armed services as his grandfather served and that Michael supports them. But at the same time, you do not discuss politics and religion because all three can cause a major meltdown in conversation and peoples attitudes. As Michael laughs, he adds that where he comes from in Florida, you don’t discuss the games because of the unfortunate luck of the team as of late. The big inner state college rival game was going on as the same time of the show, so many were shouting out their pleasure or displeasure with the game. Getting the crowd worked up into a frenzy, the band leaves the stage as Michael showing a grin on his face asks them if they are winning and how their day with college football scores were doing. While showing appreciation to the band’s mothers, Michael sings the Joe Diffie cover of “Pickup Man” to commend them for allowing their boys to drive out of the driveway and pursue their musical dreams. Ray continues with songs off the new EP including the title track “Dive Bars And Broken Hearts” and “Don’t Give A Truck” in which he grabs an acoustic guitar to assist. Michael adds that he is going to play some country music and turn this casino into an old honky tonk. Introducing himself to the crowd, he thanks everyone for coming and emphasizes how happy he is to be playing this evening. As the song dampens down he comments to the large gathering, “I don’t cancel shows unless there’s some real casualties…I have been battling a sinus infection, but I was not going to cancel this show…so if you know the words, you can help me out.” The crowd responds with accompanying him with “Holy Water” and “Get To You.” Michael Ray takes the stage in Manistee with his 2015 debut single “Kiss You In The Morning.” With a microphone in his hand, he jumps back and forth from one side of the stage to the other acknowledging those in the front rows of the standing only pit in front of the stage.

The EP is Ray’s fourth EP that is accompanied with two more studio albums, Michael Ray (2015) and Amos (2018).

The singer-songwriter is out on tour across the country promoting his newly released (June 2023) six song EP, Dive Bars And Broken Hearts on the Warner Music Nashville record label. Manistee, MI (September 21, 2023) – On Saturday evening, country music fans visit the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, MI as Michael Ray makes a tour stop inside the Mawka Endaat Bear Den Event Center.

Concert at little river casino