What We Do. Music With A Mission
Michael Ray Productions is a music publishing and production company that helps songwriters produce professional recordings of their original works for digital distribution and promotion. Beyond creating and sharing music, Michael Ray Productions has a charitable mission: a majority of the proceeds generated by the songs we publish will be donated to organizations that help families in need.
Why We Do It. Help Families in Need
Tunnel To Towers Foundation
As the son of both a veteran and a law enforcement officer, I have a deep appreciation for the men and women who willingly put their lives on the line to protect our country and communities. Their courage and sacrifice deserve our enduring gratitude and support.
Since 9/11, Tunnel to Towers has honored that sacrifice by helping America’s heroes and their families. The organization provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, while also building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
The Legacy Guild
We raised our children in La Grange, Illinois, where we were fortunate to build lasting friendships and become part of a close-knit community. One of our dearest family friends tragically lost his battle with a rare form of cancer at a very young age, leaving behind his wife to raise their four children on her own.
That loss inspired the creation of The Legacy Guild, an organization dedicated to helping families facing the devastating loss of a parent. The Legacy Guild provides college scholarships and mentorship to students who have lost a parent, helping them pursue their education and build a brighter future while knowing they are not alone.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids
My younger sister lives with a disability that requires her to use a wheelchair, and through her experience, I witnessed the many challenges disabilities place on a family —including the need for specialized equipment and modifications to vehicles and homes. Her experience gave me a deep appreciation for how these resources can provide greater independence, dignity, and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids was founded in 2011 with one goal in mind – to give physically disabled children and youth a better quality of life. It's flagship program, Let’s Roll, focuses on mobility and accessibility. It provides wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, as well as other necessary medical equipment that may be out of reach.
The Backstory
"Music has the power to heal, inspire, and change lives"
Music has always brought something good into my life—friendships, memories, inspiration, and countless moments of joy. Now, I hope it can bring something good to others by helping make a real difference in the lives of families who need it most.
My interest in music began early in life. My parents and grandparents always had music playing throughout the day, and I quickly developed a love for singing and playing instruments—including the recorder and kazoo. I sang in my grade school choir for our production of The Wizard of Oz and took music lessons on an electric Lowrey organ.
Growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, my musical interests evolved quickly, from playing “Moon River” on the organ to dreaming of joining The Beatles. I picked up my first guitar while recovering from a severe illness that prevented me from playing contact sports—there went my football career! I soon moved to bass guitar, inspired by Paul McCartney and rock legends such as John Paul Jones, John Entwistle, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee.
While I loved classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, The Who, and Boston, my own musical style eventually gravitated toward country rock. Bands such as the Eagles, Allman Brothers, Pure Prairie League, Marshall Tucker Band, and Charlie Daniels became major influences. Country rock was a natural fit for my voice and playing style, and I especially loved the harmonies and powerful sound of the genre.
During high school and college, I played in country rock bands with friends. We played the usual garage parties, basement gigs, bars, and anywhere else we could find an audience. While we never achieved great commercial success, those were some of the best times of my life. We spent countless hours rehearsing, recording, perfecting our set lists, and simply enjoying the experience of making music together. During college, I also taught guitar and bass to kids at a local music store, which I found incredibly rewarding.
After college, my focus shifted to family and my career. I married, raised two daughters, performed occasionally with a local band (thanks, Matt!), and played at open-mic nights from time to time.
After a rewarding career in the software industry, I retired in early 2026. Like many entrepreneurs who have spent years working 12-hour days focused on building a business and making sure the bills get paid, I suddenly found myself feeling like a caged tiger. So I decided it was time to dive back into songwriting and music production.
While I love the classics, especially country rock, I’ve also become a big fan of the modern Nashville sound, particularly powerful female artists such as Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and Ashley McBryde. As a result, many of my first songs were written with female country artists in mind.
My career successes were made possible by the support, encouragement, and generosity of so many people along the way. Now, through Michael Ray Productions, I want to pay that support forward—using the music we create to help families in need and make a positive difference in their lives.
Michael Horvath
CEO and Founder
