Before live audiences and in their recordings, Strange- byrds heartfelt talent, chemistry and spot-on harmonies are a captivating brew. Their songwriting prowess and recordings have garnered numerous highly sought accolades in both National and International Singer-Songwriting Competitions.
On the heels of their successful 2022 release, “Highway Islands”, Strangebyrds found themselves back in their Byrd Nest Recording Studio (Rollinsville, CO.) writing a brand new Folk/Rock album,”Shrieking Violets”. With Ray’s cancer diagnosis as their impetus, they began to write their sixth studio album with music as their catalyst for a cure- so far, so good! Harkening back to Ray’s rock roots in New York City and Cari’s love of female rockers, they began to draw from the well of inspiration as both patient and caregiver. In just over a year twelve brand new songs were written. Never one’s to be “shrinking violets”, Cari and Ray decided to call their new release “Shrieking Violets”, a name that symbolizes their vision to bring hope to others facing life-altering situations as well as their families and caregivers. “Shrieking Violets” debuted to a sold-out theater on October 21st, 2023 at eTown Hall in Boulder, Colorado. Funds raised from a portion of the ticket sales enabled Strangebyrds to donate $1000.00 to UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital Foundation to be used specifically for their Cancer Care Patient Fund.
Both “Shrieking Violets” and Strangebyrds 2022 release, “Highway Islands” were made possible through Kickstarter Campaigns that were over 100% funded through the generous donations from fans, friends and family. Strangebyrds will be performing select “Shrieking Violets” shows with their full band throughout 2024, interspersed with their signature Folk/Rock Americana Duo performances.
Previous nationally recognized albums written by Strangebyrds include:
Highway Islands(2022), Star Crossed Lovers (2018), Devils & Desires (2015), Migrations (2013) and Strangebyrds (2011). Strangebyrds own and operate their music studio, Byrd Nest Recording in the mountains of Rollinsville, Colorado. They have recorded and produced numerous projects for both local and international artists.
Ray Smith has written several original compositions for film including:
Jirishanca (Sender Films-Patagonia- 2024), The Alpinist (Universal Pictures- 2021), Reel Rocks (Sender Films- 2016) and the full-length music score for Muscle Shoals Documentary Film (Magno- lia Pictures- 2013). Together, Cari Minor & Ray Smith composed and wrote “The World Needs Mercy” for local Director Frank Fazzio’s Award Winning Short Documentary Film, Common Thread. “The World Needs Mercy” has garnered top Songwriting Awards at:
The London Movie Awards - Award Winning Best Song, 2022 London, England
The Impact DOC Awards - Original Best Song, 2022 La Jolla, California
The Arrow International Film - Festival Best Original Song, 2022 Paris, France
The New York Movie Awards - Best Original Song, 2023 New York, New York
Cari Minor & Ray Smith live with their rescue pup, Skye Pie high up in the mountains of Colorado. Their love of ravens and raptors lead them to the name of their duo, Strangebyrds.