Editor's note: In honor of the university's centennial year, The Daily News is counting down 100 days to the university's celebration Sept. 6 with 100 of Ball State's most famous traditions and figures. Check back each day to read about Cardinal history.
Many people around the world heard the Billboard Hot 100 hit “Shut Up and Dance,” but few know that one of Walk the Moon’s band members is a former Cardinal.
Kevin Ray, the bass player for the Cincinnati-based band, is a 2009 graduate of the music media production program in the School of Music.
The indie-rock group independently released its debut studio album “I want! I want!” in 2010. The group first gained notoriety in 2012 with the release of its song “Anna Sun.”
Walk the Moon signed to RCA Records and released its first label studio album, Walk the Moon, which included a re-recorded version of “Anna Sun.”
Ray, along with band members Nicholas Petricca, Sean Waugaman and Eli Maiman toured the world in 2014 after releasing their full-length studio album “Talking is Hard.” The album contained the song “Shut Up and Dance,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The band members began a tradition in 2011 where they paint their faces before every show. They invite the audience to participate as well.
The group has toured with Grouplove, Panic! At The Disco and Weezer. It also appeared on former alumnus David Letterman’s talk show as well as “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Good Morning America” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
In 2016, the band was awarded The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Vanguard Award. Other winners include Diplo, Beck and the Strokes.
In 2017, the group released its third studio album “What If Nothing” which includes songs “Headphones” and “One Foot.”
Ray returned to campus in 2016 to share his experience with students. There he told students about the music business and steps they could be taking now to create a career.
The band is currently on its Press Restart Tour, which will make a stop at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park Aug. 1.
Read more centennial content here.
Contact Brynn Mechem with comments at bamechem@bsu.edu or on Twitter @BrynnMechem.
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