Stephen Bray

Stephen Pate Bray (born December 23, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American songwriter, drummer, and record producer. He is best known for his collaborations with Madonna. Bray owns and operates Saturn Sound recording studios and the Soultone Records record label. He is married to movie producer Stephanie Allain, who produced Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan.

Career

Bray began studying music through private instruction in Detroit, and continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Collaborations with Madonna

Bray met Madonna during her pre-stardom when she attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for dance. He moved to New York after receiving a call from Madonna two years later; at that time she was a member of the band The Breakfast Club in New York City. Madonna wanted to form a new band and invited Bray to play the drums. Together they formed the band Emmy and the Emmys.

Madonna obtained her recording contract with Gotham Management, with Camille Barbone. The music she was producing with them was more rock oriented and Madonna had her eyes set on dance music. She and Stephen Bray continued working on a parallel project, more club oriented. After being signed to Sire Records, Madonna continued collaborating with Bray.

Bray

Bray (Irish: Bré, meaning "hill", formerly Brí Chualann) is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a busy urban centre and seaside resort, with a population of 31,872 making it the ninth largest urban area in Ireland at the 2011 census. It is situated about 20 km (12 mi) south of Dublin on the east coast. The town straddles the Dublin-Wicklow border, with a portion of the northern suburbs situated in County Dublin.

Bray's scenic location and proximity to Dublin make it a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers from the capital. Bray is home to Ireland's only film studios, Ardmore Studios, hosting Irish and international productions for film, television and advertising. Some light industry is located in the town, with business and retail parks concentrated largely on its southern periphery. Bray town centre has a range of shops serving the consumer needs of the surrounding area. Commuter links between Bray and Dublin are provided by rail, Dublin Bus and the M11 and M50 motorways.

Bray (surname)

Bray is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

Bray (musician)

Brayden Gurnari (born October 17, 1972), known by his stage name, Bray, is an American musician and singer-songwriter, whose music incorporates rock, pop, and electro funk.

Early life and education

He was born in Vallejo, California.

Career

Bray began writing songs in high school, inspired by the nearby Oakland funk scene.

In 2003, he released his first full album, Independent Film.

In 2005, he was featured on the soundtrack of a San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival documentary, Blood, Sweat and Glitter.

In 2006, he performed at the "All-Star Tribute to San Francisco Music, Past and Future" at the Warfield Theatre, in San Francisco, California, alongside members of the Sex Pistols and The Doors.

His second album, Pins and Needles, was released in 2007. Two songs from the album, "Cocoon" and "Piece o' Cake", were used in the reality-television series Bad Girls Club.

In 2008, Bray released the album Live in Germany, recorded at a concert in Schmölln, Germany.

1n 2009, he released the album @mphibian, produced by Gary St. Clair. Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink performs on the album.