Kentucky Music Mafia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kentucky Music Mafia. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Shannon J Collins started Kentucky Music Mafia in early 2017 and slowly added a few singers to the group. Still, only one stuck around, and that was Toby Ray. We performed and toured for a few years, just us two. Then in May of 2021, we added a DJ by the name of DJ Havoc, then a few months later, we said Roy Caudill to the group and then a drummer Chad Mcknz in March of 2022, and now we are touring all over the Midwest and south now.

Shannon J.:
He grew up in Louisville, Ky., Raised by his eastern Kentucky-born grandparents. They raised him on George Jones, Hank Williams JR., Stanley Brothers, Keith Whitley, and a lot more greats. He prides himself on being a proud American and preaching family values. He was introduced to rap music at a young age, and once he started making music, he blended both styles between country and rap and hasn’t looked back since then.

Toby Ray:
Toby Ray is a native of Louisville, KY. He loves to tour the country, perform, meet new people, see new places, and experience new things. He is a good-hearted, down-home, southern-bred country boy. His roots run deep In the Appalachian Mountains, throughout the hills of eastern Kentucky.

Roy Caudill:
Roy Caudill was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky in a little town called Hazard. He has always had a love for country music. He was raised by his grandparents, who taught him to work hard and treat others the way he would want to be treated. His Grandma had a huge musical influence on him by encouraging him to sing gospel music in church.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all. We have had to work and bust our tails to get where we are—traveling a lot now. We are in Nashville a few times a week between shows, mingling with other artists and producers and recording.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We blend all types of music from Bluegrass, country, rock, r&b, and a little bit of hip hop. We call our sound Outlaw Mountain Music. We are known for our music and the love of moonshine, lol. We pride ourselves on being from Kentucky. I think what sets us apart from others is what we bring to the table. You have Me(Shannon J), who drinks a rap/harmony and high lonesome sound. Where Toby Ray brings the rough and raw sound and Roy Caudill brings a mountain sound. We all have different styles, but we put it all together.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role you feel it’s played for you?
The bad luck has been listening to other folks about what kind of music they think we should make instead of making the kind of music we love to make. -

Kentucky Music Mafia, a talented duo comprised of Louisville locals Shannon Collins and Toby Ray Farris, has been making great music together for 10 years now.

Both were in different groups when they met. Toby said that he and his son had formed a group. It was his way to spend time with his boy. Their music circles were similar because of their location. Toby was making country rap at the time and Shannon was just starting to play around with it. His group was more traditional hip hop. Shannon hit Toby up with a song and asked if he wanted to collab. It started off their great partnership. They teamed forces and haven’t looked back. The song was Where I Belong. Now both admit the heart felt song is still their favorite song to listen to.

Music has always been a big part of life for Toby and Shannon. Toby enjoyed singing in church when he was a little boy. Later on, he took music classes and choir. He enjoyed watching others perform. His dad was in bands and it intrigued him. Shannon, who’s family is from Eastern Kentucky, always enjoyed the bluegrass music that his family would play. He had fond memories of his great grandparents playing music while his grandmother sang. His uncles also played in bands. His grandfather would take him to places to perform.

Both guys had similar dreams and their music just plays off of one another. They easily pull off tradition Country, southern rock and country rap sounds with their diverse talents. It makes their sound different than most in the country rap scene. In this case, different is a good thing.

When asked which song they liked to perform together, they both exclaimed that Stuck In These Ruts was their favorite song to perform on stage. Shannon said the energy of the song makes him bounce around wildly like a spider monkey. Toby agreed. If you haven’t heard it, check it out. It’s definitely a banger that represents Kentucky life, muddin’, and Who TF is Justin Time’s Redneck Rave.





Speaking of Redneck Rave, Toby told a story about performing at the venue. He said the music started and they headed on stage. He tripped, somersaulted across the stage and jumped up rapping, never missing a beat. Shannon laughed at the memory and said they’d tried to find a video of the fall but they weren’t able to find one. While a funny story, it talks volumes about what kind of performers they are and their determination behind their music. They may stumble but the show will go on.





2020 has been a stumbling block for most artists but it hasn’t stopped KMM. They’ve took the time to work on new songs for 2021. They hinted that they’ve got a few songs coming featuring bigger artists in the industry. They’re both are eager to finish their current album and work on their next album. Afterward, they’ve both stated they wanted to release solo albums that will be different from their typical styles. Shannon has plans to travel back to his Eastern Kentucky roots and try his hand with a bluegrass album. Several people have asked Toby to make a Christmas album in the coming year so he plans to give the people what they want.





Other than music, you can almost guarantee that you can find Shannon and Toby helping local youth in the Louisville area. Toby has a non profit organization called Bikes for Tykes. With donations, Toby puts new or gently used bikes in the hands of children who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a bike. Shannon helps coach high school baseball in the area, helping kids further their dreams in sports. Just some good guys making good music.

Both are ready to hit some live shows. The duo recently revamped a tour van. The orange van with large cartoon style copper still cooking up that white lightning will have heads turning when they pull up. It’s reminiscent of the time of the good ol’ Dukes of Hazzard. It’s almost as entertaining as the entertainers it hauls. Check it out at the next live show near you.



- Ashley Davis - Ashley Davis

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As the cleanup continues in Eastern Kentucky... another sound of music filled the air in the mountains recently.

LEX 18's Austin Pollack shows us how the group "Kentucky Music Mafia" is raising their voices and lifting spirits in Perry County.

You can download "East Kentucky Strong" on Spotify or on the group's Facebook page. Just look up Kentucky Music Mafia. - Jennifer Palumbo

In 2018 Shannon J & Toby Ray got together and started making the first sounds of what would become “ Kentucky Music Mafia", a whole different kind of country style music. In early 2021 they met and added to the group Roy Caudill . These three have really been doing it up right since then.

They also did it up right at this year's Josie Music Awards with a BIG win for Album of the Year - Outlaw/ Modern Country Genre! This makes the second straight year they have been on the Grand Ole Opry Stage to accept a JMA, however, this year's trip was made even more special when Shannon, Toby and all other winners got to stand in the highly revered Grand Ole Opry "circle" front and center to deliver their thanks to God, their fans and family.


Shannon J grew up in Louisville, Ky., raised by his eastern Kentucky-born grandparents. They raised him on George Jones, Hank Williams JR., Stanley Brothers, Keith Whitley, and a lot more greats. He prides himself on being a proud American and preaching family values. He was introduced to rap music at a young age, and once he started making music, he blended both styles between country and rap and hasn’t looked back since then.

Toby Ray is a native of Louisville, KY. He loves to tour the country, perform, meet new people, see new places, and experience new things. He is a good-hearted, down-home, southern-bred country boy. His roots run deep In the Appalachian Mountains, throughout the hills of eastern Kentucky.


Roy Caudill was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky in a little town called Hazard. He has always had a love for country music. He was raised by his grandparents, who taught him to work hard and treat others the way he would want to be treated. His Grandma had a huge musical influence on him by encouraging him to sing gospel music in church.


The Josie Music Awards theme is "Chase Your Dreams - Be Part of Something Big" and this trio has been doing "BIG" Things for awhile now. The trio was awarded 2022 Group of the Year at The Josie Awards , held at Grand Ole Opry . Their chart topping 2022 hit “Hank And The Drinkin” quickly became a fan favorite and this song was "instrumental" in getting this duo finally get the recognition they well deserve. This year also brought them the Josie Music Award stage as winners in the highly esteemed category of Album of the Year, in the Outlaw and Modern Country genre.

Kentucky Music Mafia brings a whole different kinda country style to the music world which they call “Outlaw Mountain Music”.


They do it their way and the music is a mix of country, bluegrass, rock, r&b and hip hop all in one. These guys put everything into the music they put out and truly believe in everything they record for their fans.


Overtones LIVE recently had the opportunity to talk with Kentucky Music Mafia at the Radiolex Greyline Station Studio about their nominations. Congratulations to Kentucky Music Mafia on their Josie Music Award Win and we wish them the greatest success in 2024. - Renee & Warren Cobb