Lil Ray Neal, was born, Raful Neal, III, on March 16, 1960, third eldest of ten siblings, in Ervinville, La., a small rural hamlet just outside of Baton Rouge.  Lil Ray began his musical odyssey as a child in the presence of his harmonica playing father, Mr. Raful Neal, Jr.  Being exposed to his father's band members and other musicians all the time, the house was filled with music.  Lil Ray's uncle owned a "store"/club, called Spooners and his father and his band would play there.  At the end of the night, after the gig, Lil Ray, then about 12, would sneak out into one of the vans and play one of the guitars, always breaking strings and stealthly placing the guitar back in the case, as if nothing had happened.   One night, his father's band members didn't show for a gig and he began backing his father in the band.  In 1975, he formed a band with his brothers, Ronnie, Larry and Noel.  On Saturdays, they played for a local radio station in Baton Rouge, WXOK. In 1980, he went to Canada to play with his oldest brother, Kenny.  Upon returning, he played with his father off and on until his passing a few years ago.  He also, went on the road, playing with James Cotton, Lil Milton Campbell, Bobby Rush and Bobby Blue Bland.  He has played festivals in Europe and Switzerland.  In 1996, he took a hiatus and returned home, weary of the road.  Now, he's back, with his dynamic sound and the history and experience to put it all together.  Dubbed by some, as the "gentle giant of the blues," he's ready, willing and able to provide a blues sound that will have you standing in the isles and stompin' yo feet!  His motto "nothing but the blues" is truly for blues lovers.  His prowess on the guitar is surpassed by none.  He is the road-warrior for the blues greats in his quest to keep this genre alive.  Those that have "got their hats" would be very proud.