Ray Callahan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Callahan

Hi Ray, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up I always knew music was going to be apart of my life. I started playing Saxophone in 5th grade and my love of music pretty much only got bigger from there. Throughout high school and most of college I had plans of being a band teacher. Those plans always felt like the safe option. As each year of college passed by it always felt like I had less and less interest in being a band teacher. I loved kids and music but it always felt like I was meant for more. I worked at Kwik Trip for a few years while I was figuring out what was next. In 2020 all I did was work at Kwik trip and go home. It was then that I realized I didn’t want that to be my life. I decided to tap into Djaying. DJaying was something I had always dabbled in and had an interest but never took seriously. I started doing weddings in the fall of 2020 and by the fall of 2021 I started my own DJ business. I had always struggled with anxiety, and self doubt. DJaying weddings was a great way for me to get comfortable in my own skin while doing something I always loved, performing! Every so often I would get the sense that this is great and I enjoy this but this still isn’t what I am meant to be doing. Starting in 2021 aswell I would start producing my own music. I would make progress, learn a lot, then get very discouraged on how it sounded and take a break. This is how the next few years would go. DJ 30-40 weddings and around 10-20 other kinds of events and make music for a few months then stop. At the end of 2023 I knew something had to change. I laid out a plan for 2024 and how I would launch my knew music project “Ray Callahan”. I have been hard at work making music. It’s a mix of Jazz and house music. This is my focus and where my heart is at right now. I got to play my first show at skyway theater about a month ago and as wedding season is winding down I am gearing up for a very busy winter. I will be releasing music, posting a lot on social media, and hopefully doing lots of shows!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Currently I am 28. It feels like If I want to make a career as a touring musician I need to work fast but I know that anything is possible as long as I set my mind to it. I literally have been dreaming about being a musician since I was a little kid. I know I am not the best saxophonist, DJ, producer, or performer but putting all my skills together I know I can put out a product that is unlike what anyone is doing right now. It’s my hope to play 3-5 major music festivals in 2025. My insecurities and self doubt want to tell me to stop but I do not want to live a mediocre life. I want to share my art with the world. I know I can bring joy to other and If I listen to my anxiety and insecurities I will be depriving people of my gifts.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a DJ/Producer/Saxophonist/Entertainer. My heart is in performing and sharing great music with others. What sets me apart is my combination of skills and my love for what I do. I have had a successful wedding business for awhile www.djmitch.live but this knew journey “Ray Callahan” is the one that speaks to me.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think what I like best about Minneapolis is the wide array of music across the city. I love all types of music Jazz, House, Rock, and classical. There are so many great places to listen to music and so many great up and coming artists. What I don’t like is how it feels very tense politically right now. It seems like people only want to be friends with others of there political party. I’m not sure this is specific to Minneapolis but definitely feels very prevalent. - Voyage Minnesota