Island Rock God - Ray Fogg

Article from the Sun Courier November 27, 2003

by Mary Davies, Staff Writer

There's no heckler Ray Fogg can't outsmart, there's no beer he won't drink and there's no way anyone who is less morally uptight than Tipper Gore doesn't have a good time at his concerts.

Fogg, 39, a Broadview Heights native who now lives in Independence, has been touring the country since his early 20s entertaining bar patrons with music ranging from covers of popular tunes to his self-scripted tales of serious subjects and raunchy, drunken love.

He will give a rare performance with his band, Swingin' Lesbian Frogs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Moose Saloon and Eatery, at Ridge and Pearl roads in Parma. Tickets are $12, but those interested in going should buy now because last year's show sold out.

Those who can't make it to Saturday's show can catch him this summer at Put-in-Bay. Ask any Put-in-Bay regular for directions to the Island Rock God, and they'll point you to whichever establishment Fogg is playing that weekend.

What attracts people to Fogg's shows is his ability to write, and better yet ad lib, edgy comical songs and anecdotes perfectly suited to a beer-drinking crowd. Fogg often tells stories between songs and brings a few audience members to the stage for a little ribbing.

"I try to poke fun at most everything so that everyone feels included," Fogg said.

Though Fogg spends his summer weekends singing at Put-in-Bay, his resume includes appearances at the famed Sloppy Joe's bar in Key West, Fla., the French Quarter in New Orleans and numerous towns in Michigan and Ohio.

On weekdays he runs his own real estate business.

Fogg grew up reveling on Lake Erie islands with dad, Ray, owner of Ray Fogg Building Methods Inc., his mother, Virginia and his town sisters. His love of boating and summertime parties never fizzled.

His interest in music and performing dates back to early childhood.

Virginia Fogg recalled how her son, while in fourth grade, wrote a play which was performed by his class. He also immersed himself in just about every music and drama course and activity available at Brecksville High School.

"He's always had a humorous knack and a way with words," Virginia Fogg said. "He's a big (Frank) Sinatra fan because of the actor he was on stage."

Fogg figures his following is attracted to his ability to put on a creative, interactive show rather than an obviously scripted comedy piece.

"I suppose I have a talent for songwriting, but I think my focus is on being entertaining, not a musician," he said.

Blue Moose owner Pat Potopsky said his patrons love Fogg's Jimmy Buffet-style storytelling.

"It's fun to sing along," Potopsky said. "He's an entertainer."

Fogg often is told his performances are characteristic of Buffet shows or those by fellow Put-in-Bay imbiber Pat Dailey, whom Fogg considers a friend and inspiration.

The mature, often R-rated content of Fogg's shows make them inappropriate for children, but it isn't bad enough to alienate his mother.

"It's a little edgy," she said. "But I always get a heads up on the lyrics because I'm the one who gets stuck typing them out."

Fogg now has four compact discs, and a fifth is scheduled for release in January.

Fans can keep track of his concert dates and merchandise for sale at his Web site, www.rayfogg.net.

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