Robert Cray was among artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood, who got wider radio airplay and regular MTV video exposure during the late 1980s. He started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, Robert Cray wanted to become an architect, but at about the same time he was going to study design in architecture he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray on guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, the Grease Band, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Forever More, Spirit, and the Faces. By the time he was twenty, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert, and decided to form his own band. His band started playing college towns on the west coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury Records in 1982. His third release, Strong Persuader, received a Grammy Award, while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition.
| 1 | Nothin' But A Woman | Strong Persuader |
| 2 | I'm A Good Man | I Was Warned |
| 3 | Consequences | Midnight Stroll |
| 4 | A Whole Lotta Pride | I Was Warned |
| 5 | Pardon | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 6 | The Things You Do To Me | Midnight Stroll |
| 7 | On The Road Down | I Was Warned |
| 8 | Move A Mountain | Midnight Stroll |
| 9 | Holdin' Court | Midnight Stroll |
| 10 | Walk Around Time | Midnight Stroll |
| 11 | The Price I Pay | I Was Warned |
| 12 | Tollin' Bells | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 13 | It's All Gone | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 14 | That Wasn't Me | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 15 | New Blood | Strong Persuader |
| 16 | I Was Warned | I Was Warned |
| 17 | He Don't Live Here Anymore | I Was Warned |
| 18 | Bouncin' Back | Midnight Stroll |
| 19 | Foul Play | Strong Persuader |
| 20 | Labor Of Love | Midnight Stroll |