The Fray

{{short description|American rock band}} {{Other uses|Fray (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = The Fray | image = The Fray 2014.jpg | caption = Classic lineup of The Fray in 2014 | landscape = yes | background = group_or_band | origin = Denver, Colorado, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Rock|alternative rock|pop rock<ref name="AllMusic" />}} | discography = The Fray discography | years_active = 2002–present | label = Epic | website = {{URL|https://www.thefray.com/}} | current_members =  * Joe King * Dave Welsh * Ben Wysocki | past_members =  * Isaac Slade * Mike Ayars * Zach Johnson * Caleb Slade * Graham Vanderbilt * Dan Battenhouse }}

'''The Fray''' is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their debut studio album, ''How to Save a Life'' (2005) was released by Epic Records and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as platinum certification in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Its release was supported by their first hit single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)", which peaked at number eight on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The band saw their furthest success with the song's follow-up, "How to Save a Life", which peaked at number three on the chart and was also a hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Both songs received Grammy Award nominations: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, respectively.

The group's self-titled second album (2009) debuted atop the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{Cite web |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |title=On the Charts: Springsteen Slips to Second as the Fray Lock Up Number One |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/11/on-the-charts-springsteen-slips-to-second-as-the-fray-lock-up-number-one/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212042113/http://www.rollingstone.com//rockdaily//index.php//2009//02//11//on-the-charts-springsteen-slips-to-second-as-the-fray-lock-up-number-one// |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=February 13, 2010 |website=RollingStone.com}}</ref> received platinum certification by the RIAA, and gold certification in Australia and Canada. Led by their third top ten single, "You Found Me", the album was also nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.<ref name="grammy1">{{Cite web |title=Nominees |url=http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203194315/http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2010 |publisher=GRAMMY.com}}</ref> While both albums were commercially successful, critical reception was generally mixed. The Fray was ranked No. 84 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Artists of the Decade list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artists of the Decade |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts-decade-end/billboard-200-artists?year=2009#/charts-decade-end/artists-of-the-decade?year=2009&begin=81&order=position |access-date=February 13, 2010 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> Their third and fourth albums, ''Scars & Stories'' (2012) and ''Helios'' (2014) were both met with continued mixed reception and trailing commercial response, peaking at numbers four and eight on the ''Billboard'' 200, respectively. The band's greatest hits album, ''Through the Years: The Best of the Fray'' (2016), served as their final release with Epic. Slade left the band in 2022, and the band returned as a trio to release their sixth extended play (EP), ''The Fray Is Back'' (2024).

The Fray's mood has been described as austere, theatrical, cinematic, poignant, and ethereal; their lyrical content is based around introspection, with themes of yearning, regret, and angst.<ref name="AllMusic">{{Cite web |title=The Fray {{!}} Biography, Albums, Streaming Links |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-fray-mn0000860561 |website=AllMusic |accessdate=June 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hoard |first=Christian |title=Album Reviews: ''The Fray'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/25463415/review/25524327/the_fray |url-status=dead |magazine=RollingStone.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127063043/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/25463415/review/25524327/the_fray |archive-date=January 27, 2009 |access-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sendra |first=Tim |title=The Fray: ''How to Save a Life'': AllMusic Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r790859|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=February 13, 2010 |website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Nic |title=The Fray: ''The Fray'' |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/fray_0209.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164455/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/fray_0209.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=February 13, 2010 |website=MusicOMH.com}}</ref> The band's use of the piano as the lead instrument in their music has led critics to compare the band with similar British bands such as Coldplay and Keane. The band lists its influences as Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra, and U2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray Biography |url=https://www.thetabworld.com/The_Fray_biography.html |access-date=February 13, 2010 |website=TheTabWorld.com}}</ref>

==History==

===Formation and early years (2002–2004)=== The band members' musical lives were largely formed in Denver area churches where they helped lead worship, and in the Christian school three of them attended. Isaac Slade and guitarist Joe King were several years ahead of drummer Ben Wysocki at Faith Christian Academy. Wysocki and guitarist David Welsh played in the same worship band. In the spring of 2002, former schoolmates Slade and King reconnected and began regular two-man jam sessions that led to writing songs. Slade and King later added Mike Ayars on guitar, Zach Johnson on drums,<ref name="lost">{{Cite web |title=The Lost Members |url=http://www.frayawaytheedges.net/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109012915/http://www.frayawaytheedges.net/ |archive-date=January 9, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=Fray Away the Edges |location=About the Guys: The Lost Members}}</ref> and Slade's younger brother Caleb on bass, though Caleb was later asked to leave. Caleb's departure from the band caused a rift in his relationship with Isaac, and this rift later became the inspiration for the song "Over My Head (Cable Car)", which is about the brothers' waning relationship.<ref name="Gitlin">{{Cite magazine |last=Gitlin |first=Lauren |date=August 10, 2006 |title=Enter the Fray |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Following this Johnson left the band to attend an art school in New York.<ref name="lost" />

Ben Wysocki, a former bandmate of Isaac Slade, joined as drummer and later, Dave Welsh, who was another former bandmate of Slade and Wysocki, was added as lead guitarist to the band. The newly formed band was named the Fray. The band members decided on a name after asking people to put band names on a piece of paper from which they picked randomly. The members of the band first claimed that they found the name suitable because they frequently quarreled about the composition of the lyrics in their songs, but they have since stated they are usually on good terms while composing music and acknowledge contributions from all members.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Sarah |date=February 24, 2006 |title=Life Less Ordinary |work=The Boston Globe |url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2006/02/24/life_less_ordinary/ |access-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref> The band has had no permanent bassist since Caleb, instead employing touring bassists on a temporary basis. The current bassist is Dane Poppin, who has been touring with the band since 2022.

The band released its first record, ''Movement EP'', in 2002. The next year, the band released ''Reason EP'' produced by "How To Save A Life" co-producer Aaron Johnson, which garnered the band local fame and acclaim.<ref name="westword.com">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2004 |title=Let Us Fray |url=https://www.westword.com/2004-12-16/music/let-us-fray/ |access-date=April 5, 2010 |publisher=Westword.com}}</ref><ref name="allmusic.com">{{Cite web |title=The Fray biography |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p710897|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=April 5, 2010 |publisher=Allmusic.com}}</ref> ''Westword'', an alternative newsweekly, gave ''Reason EP'' a positive review, stating "The music is epic, no doubt, but it's played on a wholly human scale".<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2004 |title=The Fray: ''Reason EP'' (Self-Released) |publisher=Westword.com |url=https://www.westword.com/2004-02-19/music/the-fray |access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> Despite these reviews, the band struggled to launch a single; Denver radio station KTCL rejected eight of their songs before the band decided to submit a demo of a song then-named "Cable Car". The song found airplay on a KTCL radio show highlighting local bands, and the radio station received a large number of requests for it soon thereafter.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Dane |date=March 30, 2006 |title=The Fray Live the High "Life" |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9550361/the_fray_live_the_high_life |url-status=dead |magazine=RollingStone.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915054423/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9550361/the_fray_live_the_high_life |archive-date=September 15, 2006 |access-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref> The band changed the name of the song to "Over My Head (Cable Car)", and as the song's airplay increased alongside their local following, the band was voted "Best New Band" by ''Westword'' in 2004.<ref name="allmusic.com" /> Mike Flynn, working in the artists and repertoire division of Epic Records, discovered the band through the article in ''Westword''<ref name="westword.com" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2006 |title=Completely Frayed |publisher=Longmont Daily Times-Call}}</ref> and soon after, Epic Records officially signed the band on December 17, 2004.

===''How to Save a Life'' (2005–2007)=== thumb|left|The Fray performing at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2007 The band's debut album, ''How to Save a Life'', was released on September 13, 2005; its style is between traditional rock and alternative rock.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray |url=https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/epm/90176?q=the+fray&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1 |access-date=June 15, 2014 |website=oxfordmusiconline.com}}{{dead link|date=August 2021}}</ref> "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was released as the first single from the album, and it soon became a Top 40 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2005, peaking at No. 37.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 22, 2005 |title=Modern Rock Tracks |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The single gained airplay nationally, entering the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart on the issue marked February 25, 2006. Fourteen weeks later, it reached its peak position at No. 8 on the Hot 100 chart.<ref name="bill">{{Cite magazine |date=October 7, 2006 |title=''Billboard'' Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> On the ''Billboard'' Adult Top 40 chart, the single reached the No. 2 position.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 7, 2006 |title=Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Internationally, the song was a Top 25 hit in on the national charts of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was the fifth-most downloaded single of 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Ken |date=July 13, 2006 |title=First half sales: Downloads up; CDs, revenues down |work=USA Today |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2006/07/first_half_sale.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715181706/http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2006/07/first_half_sale.html |archive-date=July 15, 2006}}</ref>

While "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was rising on the charts, the song "How to Save a Life" was first featured during an episode of ''Grey's Anatomy'', aired March 19, 2006, and then on an episode of ''Scrubs'', aired April 25, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBC.com Scrubs: Music Guide |url=http://scrubs-tv.com/music.html |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=Scrubs-Tv.com}}</ref> Despite not having been originally released as a single, "How to Save a Life" entered the Hot 100 chart on the issue marked April 15, 2006. The song was released as the band's second single. On August 18, 2006, ABC announced that the song would be used for the main advertising promotion for the season premiere of ''Grey's Anatomy''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Albiniak |first=Paige |date=September 24, 2006 |title=How ''Grey's'' got that catchy new "theme" song |work=New York Post}}</ref>

Only weeks after this promotion started, the song became the Fray's second Top 40 hit in the United States. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart, surpassing the peak position of "Over My Head (Cable Car)".<ref name="billboard">{{Cite magazine |title=The Fray Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the fray|chart=all}} |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> It tied for the seventh-longest charting single of all time on the Hot 100 chart, with Santana's "Smooth", at 58 consecutive weeks.<ref name="allmusic.com" /> The song also topped the Adult Top 40 chart for 15 consecutive weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Fray Billboard Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the fray|chart=Adult Pop Songs}} |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> "How to Save a Life" was a major hit internationally, topping the singles chart in Ireland, Spain and Canada. The song also charted in the top five in Australia, Italy and Sweden and was the band's first hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray – How to Save a Life: Charts |url=https://acharts.us/song/8231 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=aCharts.us}}</ref>

{{listen |filename=The Fray - Over My Head (Cable Car).ogg |title="Over My Head (Cable Car)" |description="Over My Head (Cable Car)" from ''How to Save a Life'' |format=Ogg }}

"Look After You" was released as the third single from the album. It peaked at No. 59 on the Hot 100 chart and was the band's first single to miss the Top 40.<ref name="billboard" /> The song was written by the lead singer of the Fray, Isaac Slade. It is about his then girlfriend, whom he later married. The album itself peaked at No. 15 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, and charted in the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and was certified the best-selling digital album of all time, breaking the record held previously by Coldplay's ''X&Y''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray: ''How To Save A Life'' Now The Biggest Selling Digital Album Of All Time! |url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829004122 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008140557/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829004122 |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |publisher=Sony BMG}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The digital success of The Fray (3:38) |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=20339}}</ref>

While the album was met with commercial success, critical reception from mainstream critics was mixed: Allmusic gave the album a modest review, stating that the Fray "lacked originality" and the album itself lacked any "inspiration and excitement".<ref name="Sendra">{{Cite web |last=Sendra |first=Tim |title=Review: The Fray – How to Save a Life |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r790859|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=October 23, 2006}}</ref> ''Stylus Magazine'' gave the album a negative review, stating, "The Fray, as a rule, are moribund, emotionally strained and uninvolving."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 22, 2005 |title=How to Save a Life – Album Review |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-fray/how-to-save-a-life.htm |url-status=dead |magazine=Stylus Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510001418/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-fray/how-to-save-a-life.htm |archive-date=May 10, 2012}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' and ''Blender'' echoed many of these statements while giving the album three stars out of five.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 22, 2005 |title=The Fray: ''How to Save a Life'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7568270/how_to_save_a_life |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110221806/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7568270/how_to_save_a_life |archive-date=November 10, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hunter |first=James |date=November 2005 |title=Review: The Fray – ''How to Save a Life'' |magazine=Blender}}</ref> However, the album garnered acclaim from Christian music magazines: Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album a glowing review, stating "''How to Save Life'' is nearly perfect", and gave the album four-and-a-half stars out of five.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2005 |title=The Fray – How To Save A Life |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/HowtoSaveaLife.asp |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref> ''HM Magazine'', another American magazine devoted to Christian music, also gave the album a positive review, rating it four stars out of five.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Callaway |first=Chris |date=January–February 2007 |title=The Fray ''How to Save a Life'' |journal=HM Magazine |issue=123 |page=64 |issn=1066-6923}}</ref>

To promote the album, the Fray began a worldwide tour and released a live album, ''Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. 1'', on July 18, 2006. The concert was recorded on May 21, 2006, at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 19, they re-released ''How to Save a Life'' as a CD/DVD set including a documentary on the making of the album.<ref name="main">{{Cite web |title=The Fray: Official Website |url=http://www.thefray.net |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214155057/http://www.thefray.net/ |archive-date=February 14, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=TheFray.net}}</ref> On September 4, 2007, the band released another live album, ''Acoustic in Nashville: Bootleg No. 2'', which was recorded in late 2006. The album could only be purchased with the original CD from Target but was made available on the iTunes Music Store on November 13, 2007. On October 16 of the same year, the band re-released their 2003 EP, ''Reason EP''.<ref name="allmusic.com" /> The band also released a live cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" as a 2006 Christmas single. This song debuted and peaked on the Hot 100 chart at No. 50 on the strength of a large number of digital downloads.<ref name=main/> The Fray also worked with Reverb, a non-profit environmental organization, for their 2007 summer tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reverb – Artists |url=http://www.reverb.org/partners/artists-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213211122/http://www.reverb.org/partners/artists-2 |archive-date=December 13, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=Reverb}}</ref>

===''The Fray'' and ''Christmas'' EP (2008–2010)=== The band finished recording their self-titled, second album at the end of July 2008 for a February 3, 2009, release.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray – "'You Found Me' (AOL Sessions)" |url=http://music.aol.com/video/you-found-me-aol-sessions/the-fray/2405631 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722161743/http://music.aol.com/video/you-found-me-aol-sessions/the-fray/2405631 |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=AOL Sessions}}</ref> The album was produced by Aaron Johnson and Mike Flynn, the same production duo from the band's debut album, and recorded by Warren Huart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ben |first=Ayala |date=November 14, 2008 |title=The Fray unveiling song on ABC |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fray-unveiling-song-abc-123010 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |publisher=Hollywoodreporter.com}}</ref> A documentary named ''Fair Fight'', directed by Rod Blackhurst, was included with the first 300,000 copies of the second album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackhurst |first=Rod |date=November 12, 2008 |title=Assorted Documentary Trivia |url=https://rodblackhurst.blogspot.com/2008/11/assorted-documentary-trivia.html |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=BlogSpot.com}}</ref><ref name="denvermagazine.com">{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2008 |title=The Fray Take 2 |url=http://www.denvermagazine.com/culture/2008/10/fray-take-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303093533/http://www.denvermagazine.com/culture/2008/10/fray-take-2 |archive-date=March 3, 2009 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |magazine=Denver Magazine}}</ref><ref name="rodblackhurst.com">{{Cite web |title=Rod Blackhurst {{!}} Director {{!}} Photographer |url=http://www.rodblackhurst.com/main.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023034918/http://rodblackhurst.com/main.html |archive-date=October 23, 2008 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |publisher=Rod Blackhurst}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herrera |first=Dave |date=October 14, 2009 |title=Rod Blackhurst puts up a Fair Fight when he has to – Denver Music – Backbeat Online |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/10/rod_blackhurst_puts_up_a_fair.php |access-date=February 17, 2010 |publisher=Blogs.WestWord.com |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144121/http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/10/rod_blackhurst_puts_up_a_fair.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lead single from the album, "You Found Me", debuted online on December 9, 2009, on VH1.com,<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Fray's ''You Found Me'' video premieres |work=Westword.com |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2008/12/the_fray_premiers_new_video.php |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144158/http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2008/12/the_fray_premiers_new_video.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> and debuted at No. 28 on the Hot 100 chart, the band's highest debut on the chart at that time. The song peaked at No. 7 on the chart, making it the band's second-highest charting single,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 17, 2009 |title=The Billboard Hot 100 – You Found Me |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=379&cfgn=Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3103227&cdi=10060072&cid=03/17/2009 |access-date=March 17, 2009 |magazine=Billboard}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and topped the ''Billboard'' Adult Top 40 chart<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks – You Found Me |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?configType=BBCOM_SIMPLEDEFAULT&pubList=Billboard&an=bbcom&action=Submit&kw=&exposeNavigation=true&keyword=the+fray+you+found+me+hot+adult+top+40+tracks&searchType=ARTICLE_SEARCH |access-date=April 5, 2010 |magazine=Billboard}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> as well as the Australian Singles Chart, becoming the band's first song to reach {{nowrap|No. 1}} in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 50 Singles Chart – ARIA |url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_singles.asp?chart=1U50 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208082123/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_singles.asp?chart=1U50 |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=April 5, 2010 |website=ARIA}}</ref> It is also the band's third song to sell two million digital downloads in the United States, after "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=May 3, 2009 |title=Chart Watch – Week Ending May 3, 2009: Age Is Just A Number |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/33561/week-ending-may-3-2009-age-is-just-a-number/ |website=music.yahoo.com}}</ref> Following the success of "You Found Me", the album debuted at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, selling 179,000 copies in its first week of release. The music video was directed by fellow Denverite Josh Forbes. It was filmed in Chicago and was an homage to the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire.<ref name="rollingstone.com" />

The Fray released their self-titled, second album to the Christian market on the same day as the secular market. In a video for the song "You Found Me" that includes some behind-the-scenes footage, lead vocalist Isaac Slade says that this album is what they would have done the first time if they had the time. He adds the band wants to model the rest of their careers after this second album. On February 13, 2009, the Fray wrote a song called "Be the One". The song was written in the space of 24 hours when the British magazine ''Q'' asked the band to write a love song for the occasion of Valentine's Day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Fray's Valentine's Day songwriting challenge |publisher=Westword.com |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/02/the_frays_valentines_day_songw.php |access-date=April 5, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144442/http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/02/the_frays_valentines_day_songw.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hear The Fray's exclusive Q Challenge track here |url=http://news.q4music.com/2009/01/hear_the_frays_exclusive_q_cha.html |access-date=February 17, 2010 |publisher=News.Q4Music.com}}</ref> The demo version of the song was released on the band's official website on November 11, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official The Fray Site |url=http://blog.thefray.net/us/news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221101830/http://blog.thefray.net/us/news |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |access-date=February 17, 2010 |publisher=Blog.TheFray.net}}</ref> The band also covered Kanye West's song "Heartless",<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOX8j4HBFAk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mOX8j4HBFAk |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Kanye West- Heartless (The Fray Cover) |publisher=YouTube |access-date=February 17, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which charted at No. 79 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100; a video for the cover was released worldwide on iTunes on August 11, 2009. Both songs were included in the deluxe edition of the band's second album, released November 10, 2009. "Heartless" was also included on the band's third live album, ''The Fray: Live from SoHo''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=May 21, 2009 |title=Chart Beat: Kris Allen, SWV, Green Day, Al B. Sure! |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/chart-beat-kris-allen-swv-green-day-al-b-sure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219175153/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/268564/chart-beat-kris-allen-swv-green-day-al-b-sure |archive-date=February 19, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Deluxe Edition of "The Fray" Out Now |url=http://blog.thefray.net/us/news/deluxe-edition-ithe-frayi-out-now |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302184740/http://blog.thefray.net/us/news/deluxe-edition-ithe-frayi-out-now |archive-date=March 2, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2010 |website=Blog.TheFray.net}}</ref>

The band released "Never Say Never" as the second single from the album. The song was a modest hit in the US; it peaked at No. 32 on the Hot 100 chart and at No. 10 on the Adult Top 40 chart. Internationally, it failed to match the success of "You Found Me". The song was used in the first and last episodes of the television series ''The Vampire Diaries''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='The Vampire Diaries' Series Finale Recap: Elena Returns in Time to Say Goodbye to Someone She Loves |url=https://ew.com/recap/the-vampire-diaries-series-finale/ |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=EW.com |language=EN}}</ref> The third single from the album, "Syndicate" was released on January 12, 2010,<ref name="fmqb">{{Cite web |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028220406/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archive-date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |website=FMQB.com}}</ref> and peaked at No. 16 on the Adult Top 40 and at No. 40 on the Pop Songs chart, becoming the band's second single to miss the Hot 100 chart and the lowest-charting single from the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Fray – The Basics |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the fray|chart=all}} |access-date=February 15, 2010 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

Like their first album, ''The Fray''{{'s}} critical reception was mixed. ''Rolling Stone'' termed the album "nothing new",<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Fray – The Fray |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/25463415/review/25524327/the_fray |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127063043/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/25463415/review/25524327/the_fray |archive-date=January 27, 2009 |access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref> while ''Entertainment Weekly'' stated, "''The Fray'' is all blah, all the time: more minor-key melodies and more dreary tempos."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 21, 2009 |title=The Fray (2009) – The Fray |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20253891,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125053406/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20253891,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2009 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> ''Allmusic'', whilst giving the album a modestly positive review, echoed many of these statements, commenting that "the songcraft remains virtually unchanged" and termed the album as "''How to Save a Life – Part 2''".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray – The Fray – Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1456790|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=April 27, 2010 |website=Allmusic}}</ref> However, ''AbsolutePunk'' criticized the negative reviews, stating, "For what it's worth, the Denver quintet has released a charming, appealing record that would be far more praiseworthy if it didn't sound so much like its predecessor... [which] isn't exactly a bad thing."<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2009 |title=The Fray – The Fray – Album Review |url=http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=889052 |website=AbsolutePunk}}</ref> Review aggregator ''Metacritic'' lists the album as holding a rating of 56/100 based on nine professional reviews, meaning "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray by The Fray |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/fray/fray?q=the%20fray |access-date=April 27, 2010 |website=Metacritic}}</ref>

The Fray collaborated with Timbaland on his album ''Shock Value II'', which was released on December 8, 2009. The band was featured on the song "Undertow", which, despite not being released as a single, entered the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at No. 100, the week ending November 28, 2009. On December 22, 2009, the band released an EP, ''Christmas EP'', as a free download from the band's official website. The EP contained five acoustic covers of popular Christmas carols and was recorded by Warren Huart at Blackbird Studio in Nashville.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2009 |title=The Fray gets into the holiday spirit |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/12/the_fray_gets_into_the_holiday.php |access-date=April 5, 2010 |website=Westword.com |archive-date=October 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013164453/http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/12/the_fray_gets_into_the_holiday.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> In an interview with ''Westword'' in June 2010, guitarist Dave Welsh announced that the band was working on an EP containing covers of songs by artists such as Annie Lennox, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Marley but did not give a specific release date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2010 |title=The Fray to release a covers album |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2010/06/the_fray_to_release_an_album_-.php |access-date=June 14, 2010 |website=Westword.com}}</ref>

===''Scars & Stories'' and ''Helios'' (2011–2016)=== In 2011, the Fray contributed two cover songs on compilation albums: "Take Your Time" for ''Listen to Me: Buddy Holly'' and "Mahna Mahna" for ''Muppets: The Green Album''.{{cn|date=September 2024}} Brendan O'Brien was hired to produce the band's third studio album, later named ''Scars & Stories''. During an interview with ''Colorado Daily'', Slade explained why the band had recruited him: "Sonically, we wanted to make this record sound as close as possible to the live shows." He cited Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen as influences for the sound of the record that they were trying to capture. As for the lyrical composition, Slade said the lyrics capture a more aggressive tone than their previous records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray opens for U2 Saturday, plays secret show in Boulder |url=https://www.coloradodaily.com/food-drink-news/ci_18089133#axzz1MpH1ATYq |access-date=May 18, 2011 |website=Coloradodaily.com|date=May 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="westword1">{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2011 |title=Isaac Slade on the Fray's new album, working with Brendan O'Brien and opening for U2 |url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2011/05/isaac_slade_on_the_frays_new_album_working_with_brendan_obrien_and_opening_for_u2.php |access-date=May 18, 2011 |website=Westword.com}}</ref>

The band began recording the album in March 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2011 |title=The Fray Announces New Album ''Scars & Stories'' |url=https://rocknocks.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/the-fray-announces-new-album-scars-and-stories/ |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=RocKnocks}}</ref> at Blackbird Studio, and the audio mixing began on June 21, 2011. A month later, Slade confirmed via Twitter that the mixing and recording had been completed: "[We] finished our third record about half an hour ago."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album update |url=https://twitter.com/TheFray/status/91686438504108032 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |website=Twitter.com}}</ref> When asked about possible release dates for the album, Slade mentioned his hope was that the album will be out by October 2011 or at least in time for Thanksgiving.<ref name="westword1" /> However, the date was pushed backed to early 2012. It was officially released on February 7, 2012. On September 13, 2011, during a live performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the band debuted the album's first single, "Heartbeat",<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray – Heartbeat Live |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZGdZiEWzOk&feature=channel_video_title |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/5ZGdZiEWzOk |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2011 |website=Youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The band announced in an interview on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown that "Run for Your Life" would be the album's second single. A music video for the latter song was released on March 13, 2012.

After ''Scars and Stories'', Slade promised a fourth album by the end of 2013.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2012">{{Cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Matt |date=October 8, 2012 |title=The Fray Set to Start Work on Fourth LP |url=http://www.rollingstoneme.com/music/the-fray-set-to-start-work-on-fourth-lp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302150022/http://www.rollingstoneme.com/music/the-fray-set-to-start-work-on-fourth-lp |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> On June 4, 2013, the Fray announced that they had begun recording.<ref name="Facebook">{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2013 |title=The Fray - We started recording our 4th record |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheFray/photos/a.87275123632.73701.22378233632/10151647417758633/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/22378233632/10151647417758633 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=March 2, 2014 |publisher=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The album's first single, "Love Don't Die", was premiered on radio stations on October 15, 2013, and on iTunes a week later.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} A music video for the song was filmed on November 13, 2013, at Cowboy Palace Saloon in Chatsworth, California, and released on December 6, 2013.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

The album was revealed to be titled ''Helios'' and was made available for preorder on November 25, 2013.<ref>{{Citation |title=Helios preorder announcement |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10151995607834070 |language=en |access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref> The album was originally planned to be released on January 14, 2014, but it was delayed; instead, another song from the album, "Hurricane", was made available that day.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The album was officially released on February 25. On May 9, the band announced via Twitter the release of the album's second single, "Break Your Plans".<ref>{{Cite web |title="Break Your Plans" release |url=https://twitter.com/thefray/status/464816182798057473 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> The album was produced by Stuart Price and Ryan Tedder. It received primarily mixed reviews, although it did peak at {{nowrap|No. 2}} on the ''Billboard'' US Top Rock Albums.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Fray |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-fray/chart-history/rck/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In mid-2015, the band joined Matt Nathanson as Train's opening act during the latter band's ''Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray's Concert & Tour History {{!}} Concert Archives |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/the-fray?page=3 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=www.concertarchives.org}}</ref> The tour started on May 21 and ended on July 25 of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train, The Fray & Matt Nathanson Announce Joint Summer 2015 Tour {{!}} Ak-Chin Pavilion |url=http://ak-chinpavilion.com/events-schedule/train-the-fray-matt-nathanson-announce-joint-summer-2015-tour/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=ak-chinpavilion.com}}</ref> The band also continued to tour with Train into late 2015, until their final show in Las Vegas on November 7.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

On September 9, 2016, the Fray released a new single, "Singing Low", which is also included on their greatest hits album, ''Through the Years: The Best of the Fray'', which was announced along with the single's release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2016 |title=The Fray to Release Greatest Hits, Tour this Fall |url=http://radio.com/2016/08/22/the-fray-greatest-hits/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013233923/http://radio.com/2016/08/22/the-fray-greatest-hits/ |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |publisher=Radio.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=The Fray to release Through the Years: The Best of the Fray |url=https://www.epicrecords.com/fray-release-years-best-fray-arriving-nov-4th-epic-records/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904172327/http://www.epicrecords.com/fray-release-years-best-fray-arriving-nov-4th-epic-records/ |archive-date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2025 |publisher=Epic Records}}</ref> It was released on November 4, 2016. In late 2016, the band went on tour to promote the album.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

=== Hiatus, Slade's departure and band's return (2019–present) ===

In July 2019, Slade revealed in an interview that the band would be taking a hiatus after fulfilling their five-record deal with Epic Records, saying they wanted to focus more on their own freedom by "playing the shows we want and picking and choosing".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five things to know about The Fray |url=https://englewoodherald.net/stories/five-things-to-know-about-the-fray,283572 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=Colorado Community Media |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625031204/https://englewoodherald.net/stories/five-things-to-know-about-the-fray,283572 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 12, 2022, Slade announced that he would be leaving the band.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-fray-isaac-slade-leaves-band-1235043444/|title=The Fray's Isaac Slade Announces Departure From Band|magazine=Billboard|first=Ashley|last=Iasimone|date=March 12, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022}}</ref> His final performance with the band took place on May 14, 2022, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shawlocal.com/lake-county-journal/news/local/2022/03/24/the-frays-final-performance-with-isaac-slade-to-take-place-in-waukegan/|title=The Fray's final performance with Isaac Slade to take place in Waukegan|website=Shaw Local News Network|date=March 24, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022}}</ref> Slade now owns a record store in Washington State.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/former-lead-singer-of-the-fray-finds-happy-place-on-vashon-island/281-7504a395-de33-474a-9993-d69066464541 |title= Former lead singer of The Fray finds his happy place on Vashon Island|website=KING 5 News|date=May 16, 2024|access-date=May 24, 2024}}</ref> [[File:The Fray - LA Arboretum 1.jpg|left|thumb|335x335px|The Fray performing at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in 2023]] On July 25, 2024, the band released their first single in eight years with a song entitled "Time Well Wasted" from an EP entitled ''The Fray Is Back'', which was released on September 27, 2024. It was the band's first release to feature guitarist Joe King as their full-time lead vocalist, with King only having contributed occasional lead vocals to previous albums.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fray-is-back-ep/1757049854 |title= The Fray Is Back - EP on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|date=July 25, 2024|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref>

On February 21, 2025, the band performed at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania as part of Penn State's annular THON Weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/music/incredible-cause-rock-band-the-fray-takes-the-bjc-stage-at-penn-state-s-thon-2025/ar-AA1zyjDD |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> Later that year, the band announced a world tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''How to Save a Life''. The anniversary tour began on July 25, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, and spanned major U.S. cities through August before continuing internationally across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines. The tour concluded on December 12, 2025, in Manila.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fray reunites with new music and global tour for album's 20th anniversary - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-fray-reunites-with-new-music-and-global-tour-for-albums-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band released their fifth studio album, ''A Light That Waits'', on March 13, 2026. This is the band's first full-length album in 12 years and their first as a trio. The album features 11 songs and highlights a new chapter for the band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizrahi |first=Opal |date=2026-03-13 |title=THE FRAY DROP ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, A LIGHT THAT WAITS • Red Light Management |url=https://redlightmanagement.com/the-fray-drop-anticipated-new-album-a-light-that-waits/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Red Light Management}}</ref>

==Musical style and songwriting== ''How to Save a Life'' consists of a mix of mid-tempo, piano-driven pop rock tracks and power ballads.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2005 |title=The Fray: How to Save a Life : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/7568270/review/7600395/how_to_save_a_life |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202042501/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thefray/albums/album/7568270/review/7600395/how_to_save_a_life |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=February 17, 2010 |website=RollingStone.com}}</ref> The album ''The Fray'' spread the spectrum of music: the pop rock songs are faster and more energetic, while the ballads are softer than those on the first album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2009 |title=The Fray: The Fray : Review : Allmusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1456790|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=February 23, 2010 |website=Allmusic.com}}</ref>

Slade's vocals feature a falsetto and a strong American accent. On the second album, his vocals are more aggressive, most notably on the tracks "We Build Then We Break" and "Say When".<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2009 |title=The Fray – The Fray |url=http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=889052 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |website=AbsolutePunk.net}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2010}}

The lyrics on both albums revolve around life's problems and issues. Common themes include happiness, sadness, death, the problem of evil, relationships and war. The honest and emotional nature of the lyrics<ref name="youtube.com">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM_komOUD5I |title=Interview with The Fray 1 |publisher=YouTube.com |access-date=February 13, 2010}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AQ9-jHO4lE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6AQ9-jHO4lE |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Interview with The Fray 2 |publisher=YouTube.com |access-date=February 23, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  has also had critics labeling the Fray as emo, comparing them to mainstream emo acts like Jimmy Eat World.<ref name="Sendra" /> The Fray's initial songs contain lyrics with strong religious messages. However, by the time they began work on their debut album, the band decided against being an entirely religious group because they believed that God had called them away from the "Christian music genre and into a secular market".<ref name="TheFishIntoTheFray">{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Stan |title=Into the Fray |url=http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618063/page-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213031048/http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618063/page-2/ |archive-date=13 December 2009 |website=The Fish Christian Entertainment Reviews}}</ref>

==Members== <gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="3" caption="The Fray live in 2023"> File:Joe King - LA Arboretum.jpg|Joe King File:Dave Welsh - LA Arboretum.jpg|Dave Welsh File:Ben Wysocki - LA Arboretum.jpg|Ben Wysocki </gallery>{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Current members''' * Joe King – lead vocals (2022–present, occasional 2005–2022); rhythm guitar (2002–present); bass (2005–present); backing vocals (2002–2022) * Dave Welsh – lead guitar (2003–present); bass (2005–present) * Ben Wysocki – drums, percussion, programming, backing vocals (2003–present)

'''Current touring musicians''' * Dane Poppin – bass, backing vocals (2022–present) * Kai Welch – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2023–present)

{{col-2}} '''Former members''' * Isaac Slade – lead vocals, piano, keyboards (2002–2022); rhythm guitar (2012); percussion (2013–2016) * Mike Ayars – lead guitar (2002–2003) * Zach Johnson – drums (2002–2003) * Caleb Slade – bass (2002) * Graham Vanderbilt – bass (2003) * Dan Battenhouse – bass (2003–2004)

'''Former touring musicians''' * Jimmy Stofer – bass (2005–2006) * Dan Lavery – bass (2006–2009) * Jeremy McCoy – bass (2009–2014) * Jason Hardin – bass (2014–2016; died 2022) * Jeff Linsenmaier – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2009–2017, 2022) * Einar Pedersen – bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2017–2023) {{Col-End}}

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:100 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2002 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:2002 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2002

Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:BVocals value:pink legend:Backing_and_occasional_lead_vocals id:Lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:Rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:Piano value:purple legend:Piano,_keyboards id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Perc value:claret legend:Percussion id:Prog value:skyblue legend:Programming,_backing_vocals id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album

LineData = layer:back color:album at:09/03/2005 at:02/09/2009 at:02/07/2012 at:02/25/2014 at:03/13/2026

BarData = bar:Isaac text:"Isaac Slade" bar:Mike text:"Mike Ayars" bar:Dave text:"Dave Welsh" bar:Joe text:"Joe King" bar:Caleb text:"Caleb Slade" bar:Dan text:"Dan Battenhouse" bar:Zach text:"Zach Johnson" bar:Ben text:"Ben Wysocki"

PlotData= width:11 bar:Isaac from:01/01/2002 till:03/12/2022 color:vocals bar:Mike from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2003 color:lead bar:Dave from:01/01/2003 till:end color:lead bar:Joe from:01/01/2002 till:03/12/2022 color:rhythm bar:Caleb from:01/01/2002 till:06/01/2002 color:bass bar:Dan from:06/01/2002 till:12/31/2004 color:bass bar:Zach from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2003 color:drums bar:Ben from:01/01/2003 till:end color:drums bar:Joe from:03/12/2022 till:end color:vocals width:7 bar:Joe from:01/01/2005 till:end color:bass bar:Isaac from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2012 color:rhythm bar:Isaac from:04/28/2013 till:05/31/2016 color:perc bar:Ben from:01/01/2003 till:end color:prog width:3 bar:Isaac from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2012 color:piano bar:Isaac from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2012 color:piano bar:Isaac from:12/31/2012 till:03/12/2022 color:piano bar:Joe from:01/01/2002 till:03/12/2022 color:bvocals bar:Dave from:01/01/2005 till:end color:bass bar:Ben from:01/01/2003 till:end color:perc bar:Joe from:03/12/2022 till:end color:rhythm }}

==Discography== {{Main|The Fray discography}}

* ''How to Save a Life'' (2005) * ''The Fray'' (2009) * ''Scars & Stories'' (2012) * ''Helios'' (2014) * ''A Light That Waits'' (2026)

==Awards and nominations==

=== Grammy Awards === {{awards table}} |- |rowspan="2"| {{Grammy|2007}} || "Over My Head (Cable Car)" || Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || {{nom}} |- |"How to Save a Life" || Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || {{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"| {{Grammy|2010}} || ''The Fray'' || Best Pop Vocal Album || {{nom}} |- |"Never Say Never" || Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || {{nom}} {{end}}

=== Billboard Music Awards === {{awards table}} |- |rowspan="4"| 2006 || ''How to Save a Life'' ||Digital Album of the Year|| {{won}} |- |rowspan="3"| The Fray ||Digital Album Artist of the Year|| {{won}} |- |Digital Songs Artist of the Year|| {{won}} |- |New Artist of the Year|| {{nom}} {{end}}

===Planeta Awards=== The Planeta Awards is an annual Peruvian awards ceremony established by Radio Planeta. The Fray has received one award from two nominations.

{{awards table}} |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 || The Fray|| New Rock Artist of the Year || {{won}} |- | "How to Save a Life" || Ballad of the Year || {{nom}} {{end}}

=== Teen Choice Awards === {{awards table}} |- | 2007 || The Fray || Choice Music: Breakout Group || {{nom}} |- | 2009 ||"You Found Me" || Choice Music: Rock Track || {{nom}} {{end}}

=== Premios 40 Principales === {{awards table}} |- | 2007 | "How to Save a Life" | Best International Song | {{nom}} {{end}}

=== APRA Awards === {{awards table}} |- | 2010 || "You Found Me" || International Work of the Year || {{won}} {{end}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|The Fray}} * {{Official website|1=http://www.thefray.com}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fray, The}} Category:2002 establishments in Colorado Category:Alternative rock groups from Colorado Category:American pop rock music groups Category:APRA Award winners Category:Epic Records artists Category:Musical trios from Colorado Category:Musical groups established in 2002 Category:Musical groups from Denver Category:American musical quartets Category:American soft rock music groups

The Fray

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