Exception To The Rule, a young progressive bluegrass band from Northeast Georgia, refuses to be bound by genre rules as they write and perform original music. Driven by riveting live shows, compelling lyrics, innovative arrangements, and soulful harmonies, Sara Ray (guitar, age 23), Laura Ray (banjo, guitar, age 21), Jason Ray (bass, age 19), and Kayla Ray (violin, mandolin, age 16) create a refreshingly bold sound that can only be described as the “exception to the rule.”

 Exception To The Rule draws inspiration from a variety of musical styles to create their own unique sound. Laura's hard-driving banjo style, self-described as a hybrid of Earl Scruggs and Ron Block, is the cornerstone, while Kayla’s sultry violin and mandolin solos add elements of classical, jazz, blues, and rock. Their vocals range from Jason’s Johnny Cash-like solos to four-part sibling harmony.

On-stage, the vocal and instrumental versatility of each band member adds spice to performances and keeps audiences guessing what will come next. Listeners of all ages are delighted with a mix of original numbers; traditional bluegrass, rock and country favorites; driving instrumentals; and good-natured humor. Off-stage, band members keep busy writing and recording two brand new albums to be released summer 2009.  

Whether paying homage to their musical roots by covering a classic or sharing some insight in an original song, these charismatic young artists craft their style based not on what's popular at the moment, but on what they love – and that makes them the… Exception To The Rule.

Exception To The Rule may be new to the music scene, but its youthful members are not. They got their start in 2004 performing with their father, pianist Mark Ray, in the family bluegrass gospel band known as The Rays. Although four years of traveling and two cover albums helped The Rays develop a significant local following, they felt 2009 was the time to broaden their horizons.

“We grew up, and so did our music,” explains Sara. “We feel like we’ve come into our own this year by writing our own music and performing a wider variety of covers. We want to expand our audience by performing in new and different venues ”.

Despite the changes, Mark still joins the band on piano during many concerts and they are continuing to book gospel events. Exception To The Rule plans to release a new gospel album, as well as a new bluegrass album, in summer 2009.