Prior to working with Paul McCartney in 2002, Ray was working on tour in France with two different French artists, Mylène Farmer and Johnny Hallyday. Abe Laboriel Jr., a drummer who had previously worked with Brian Ray, mentioned that Paul McCartney was in search of a guitarist who could switch between guitar and bass guitar (for songs on which he plays piano or guitar). After meeting with McCartney's producer for "Driving Rain", David Kahne, Ray joined Paul McCartney for the pre-game performance of "Freedom" at the NFL's Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.