Even with such stand-out performers as Willie Nelson and Roger Miller, the Cherokee Cowboys were always a group first, sharing a comraderie nurtured by Ray.

"Most stars seem to segregate themselves from their bands" Ray said on his 1997 TNN bio, "I can understand that...but I won’t do that...instead of getting on a jet airplane, I get on a bus and ride 2000 miles...and that way I understand what they’re saying ..what their home life is, what their problems are...It’s like a family..."

Just Clowning Around - Pete Wade, Jan Curtis, and Shorty Lavender

Willie Nelson and watermelon at a Ray Price Fan Club Picnic put on by Sandra Orwig at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1963