James Ray Raymond, an American R&B singer known professionally as James Ray, was born in Washington, D.C. in 1941 and began his career as a vocalist in New York City clubs. After relocating to New York by 1959, he recorded under the name Little Jimmy Ray, but his first major success came when songwriter Rudy Clark introduced him to Gerry Granahan of Caprice Records; the single "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" was released in 1961 and reached number 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. The same year, he issued his self‑titled album, which included the follow‑up single "Itty Bitty Pieces" that peaked at number 41 on the pop chart. In 1962 he also released the original version of "Got My Mind Set on You", later a Number 1 hit for George Harrison. Caprice folded in early 1963, and James Ray signed with Congress, a Kapp subsidiary, where he issued four additional singles that did not chart. James Ray died from a drug overdose in early 1963, shortly after the release of his album.
