Sue Ray, a proud Gamilaraay woman, is celebrated for her own authentic country/blues and roots sound. Her smoky rich voice, dynamic performances, and a sound that criss-crosses genres, allows her to appeal to vast demographics of music fans. Winner of three Qmusic awards in the categories of Blues’n’Roots, Indigenous and World Folk, Sue is often compared to artists like Chris Stapleton, Kasey Chambers and Laney Wilson. A crowd favourite at events, Sue delivers the full package. Wielding her harmonica with reckless
abandon, her set seamlessly moves from catchy foot stomping tunes through to delicate heart- breaking tear jerkers. Sue loves to get an audience up dancing with her banter and crowd
participation is often a highlight of her shows. Sue has been recognised with three QMusic awards, and multiple nominations including Best Country Album at the AIR Independent Music awards, Female Artist of the year at the QMusic awards and Most Promising New Talent at the Deadly Awards. Sue’s songs have appeared in ad campaigns for QLD Tourism, and episodes of the SBS programme “Time Of Our Lives, and was featured on Channel 7 programme Creek To Coast. Since 2017, Sue has run song writing and performance workshops for Indigenous students for such organisations as “Starting Ground” programme for the Byron Bay Shire Council and APRA/AMCOS, Digi Youth Arts in Brisbane, Deadly Ways programme run by the University Of Southern QLD, Kelvin Grove State School and Fairholme College Kindergarten Toowoomba.
Acknowledgements
2024 – Blues category – Semi-finalist –International Songwriting Competition
2022 – Blues’n’roots track – Winner – Qmusic Awards
2017 – World Folk track – Winner – Qmusic Awards
2013 – Most Promising New Talent – Nominee – Deadly Awards
2013 – Female Artist of The Year – Nominee – QMusic Awards
2012 – Best Country Album – Nominee – “AIR” Independent Music Awards
2012 – Best Indigenous Track – Winner – Qmusic Awards
2012 – Best Regional Track – Nominee – Qmusic Awards
2012 – Grant McLennan Fellowshi – Finalist – Arts QLD
2011 – Recipient of the Breakthrough Emerging Indigenous Recording Initiative
2009 – Billy Thorpe Recording Initiative – Finalist – Arts QLD
Performed alongside such artists as
– Luka Bloom – Troy Cassar Daley – Kutcha Edwards – Darren Hanlon
– Carol Lloyd – Felicity Urqhart – Vika & Linda – Kevin Bennett
– Jordi Lane – The Apartments – James Blundel – Mental As Anything
– Keith Potger – Anne McCue – Nashville Pussy – Megan Washington
– Dan Sultan – Paddy McCue – Jem Cassar-Daley – LJ Hill
