I remember first seeing Ray in the mid 1970s at The National Folk Festival in Virginia I believe. He was a big man with a big smile and either had a banjo or microphone in is hands during that festival. I was just starting out on my banjo , & I distinctly remember being really impressed with his banjo playing ability way back then. Over the years that's the way it was whenever I'd see him- the big man with a passion for the music, with either the banjo or mic and the huge smile.