Brooks and Dunn performer drums up support

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Huntington's disease affects one in 10,000 people, slowing diminishing a person's ability to walk, think, talk and reason.

Rey Gray is the drummer for Brooks and Dunn and suffers from the degenerative disease. He is raising awareness by joining forces with his famous friends and rallying together.

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have a history of supporting the people who work behind the scenes, including those who perform with the duo on stage.

"As soon as I told them, they are supportive," Rey Gray said.

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disorder that sets in when people are between 30-years-old and 50-years-old. Life expectancy ranges between 10 to 20 years.

"You don't know when it's going to affect you," Gray said. "It could be a month, you might be feeling like crap and for a year, you feel great. You really don't know."

Gray has continued to play since his diagnosis, which his doctors said has helped his battle against the disorder. Gray hopes to continue playing with the band as long as he can, and live life to its fullest.

"I'm a firm believer in ‘Anything can happen to any of us,'" Gray said. "I live each day like that."

There is a 50 percent chance a person who suffers from Huntington's disease could pass it to their children. Gray has children, and he said he's hoping they didn't get the gene.

Oklahoman's are coming together to raise awareness and money for research Thursday night at the Petroleum Club.

Raffles, a silent auction and dinner will be held at the Celebration of Hope. To learn more about the event, call (405) 623-3871. To learn more about the disorder, click here.