Frank Ray, one of the few Mexican-American artists breaking ground in country music, is back with a new take on his hit single “Miami in Tennessee”. The Spanglish version, “Miami en Tennessee”, doesn’t just remix a song—it represents the cultural bridge Ray has built between his roots and his career.

The single is a follow-up to the success of his 2023 Spanish-language EP Raíces, which helped establish Ray as a unique voice in the country scene. With verses alternating between English and Spanish, the track keeps its signature tropical-country rhythm while connecting with a broader audience—especially those who, like Ray, live between cultures.

A Sound That Speaks to More People

Originally a police officer in New Mexico, Frank Ray stepped away from law enforcement to pursue music full-time. Since then, he’s made his mark with bilingual lyrics, performances at the Grand Ole Opry, and co-signs from platforms like Rolling Stone, CMT, and Good Morning America.

His latest release blends steel guitar and island rhythm, anchored by Ray’s smooth vocals. But more than the sound, it’s the intention behind the project that sticks. “Miami en Tennessee” isn’t trying to fit into a trend—it feels like an honest reflection of Ray’s identity.

More Than Music

Ray’s career also includes advocacy work. Through his FRAY initiative, he supports mental health training for first responders, using his platform to give back to the community he came from. He’s also been recognized by TIME for helping reshape how country music looks and sounds.

With his background, musical range, and commitment to representation, Ray is proving there’s room in country for more voices and more stories.

Q&A With Frank Ray

How did the idea for Miami in Tennessee come to you and what inspired that mix of Latin and country?
This song actually came from a group of incredibly talented songwriters in Nashville. When it made its way to me, I immediately understood why—there aren’t many artists in country music right now who can authentically infuse Latin flavor into the genre. That’s something I take seriously. My goal is to celebrate and represent my culture through music in a way that feels real, respectful, and refreshing.

When you perform this song live, what part gets the biggest reaction from the crowd?
Definitely the chorus. It’s like watching a light switch flip. During the first verse, you can see people start to sway—they're curious, like, “Wait, what is this?” It’s a different energy than they expected from a country show. But when the chorus hits, it clicks. They realize, “Oh, this is still country—I just haven’t heard it like this before.” That blend of surprise and familiarity really makes the performance special.

Is there someone specific who inspired the lyrics or was it more of a vibe you wanted to create?
It was all about the vibe. The title alone—Miami in Tennessee—made me pause. It’s unexpected, almost contradictory, but also kind of magical. That clash is what makes it work. When you hear the rhythm, the textures, the melody—it all comes together in this fun, vibrant, and totally new way.

You’ve talked about blending your culture with country music. What does that mean to you on a personal level?
I think its the most important to represent the culture, if you look back you can see artist from the 60s, 70s, and 90s representing the latin culture whether its Freddy Fender, Emilio Navaira, or Rick Treviño, but after that the lineage just kind of dies down and i just think it’s we’re too far ahead as a society to allow us to continue not having representation so i think thats the most important thing to me, not just show it through my music but also as a representative doing interviews in Spanish and releasing Spanglish versions of songs, and just continue to sort of carry the torch for the culture.

Coming from law enforcement into the music world, what has surprised you the most about this journey?
I think what has surprised me the most is the lifestyle, being on the road, traveling, and kind of living off hotels and a suitcase, just constantly on the go - that’s been the most surprising thing. You usually hear people get record deals and you think it’s just easy and a glamorous lifestyle but honestly there’s a lot more work involved that i definitely couldnt have done if i still had my job in law enforcement, so im really glad i left the job in order to pursue things as full time because it does take all of your time and attention.

What was it like working with Dave Pittenger and that powerhouse group of writers on this track?
It was incredible. I was actually the only Latin influence in the room, which made it even more meaningful to bring my perspective and energy to what they had already started. It felt like a collaboration of cultures in real time. Adding that layer of sabor—the essence of our culture—was my way of bringing the song fully to life.

When you recorded this song, what were you feeling in the booth? Were you thinking about Miami or Tennessee?
Definitely Miami. I’ve done songs before with Latin vibes, but this time I had a clearer vision. I wanted people to feel the tropical, Caribbean rhythm, even while keeping it country at its core. I was thinking about how to make it resonate with someone in Nashville as much as someone in Miami, and that challenge made it really exciting to record.

You’ve been on some major stages now. What’s a moment that made you stop and think, wow this is really happening?
I think the most important stage I’ve ever been on is the Grand Ole Opry and I think that to me, to be able to see everyone on their feet, specially after i cover a song by the beloved Freddy Fender, to see a standing ovation, that told me right there in the moment the impact that our culture can have in country music and how it can stand a test in time when it's done correctly and by an authentic artist. That was probably a moment in which I stopped my tracksight and had a big lump in my throat and almost couldn't sing through the tears but it was a beautiful moment and more than i could not recreate if i tried.

What do you say to people who think Latin and country music shouldn’t mix?
I think people need to adapt with the current times. I’m not changing country music. Country music changed a long time ago and it continues to evolve but either get with the program or maybe it’s not the genre for you because country music has done a great job of opening the doors to different cultures, not just Latin music. It’s already opened the doors to pop, hip-hop, gospel, and rock, and there are several artists that can be an example to that whether it's Hardy, Beyonce, Post Malone, Teddy Swims, you name it… I think there are so many different cultures that exist which is why i dont see a reason why Latin culture can't exist in the same space as well.

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