The question of the week seems to be, "Are You Jimmy Ray?" Though perhaps the real question should be, just who is Jimmy Ray?

Ray is the hottest export from England right now. He is a musician inspired by Rockabilly and other 1950's Americana. The video for his single, "Are You Jimmy Ray" [750k QuickTime], which was shot in L.A., features cheerleaders and jump-ropers intended to invoke an Elvis-movie mood.

MTV News asked Jimmy Ray just why he is so focused on the '50's. Says Ray, "I don't know, maybe with films like 'Grease,' people think it's been really well covered. But personally, I think it was the origins of music as we know it -- rock n' roll music as we know it."

Ray explains, "There were so many great artists in that time, black and white artists, and so many fantastic songs. It's pure energy. '50's rock'n'roll records to me are just pure energy, and pure release [350k QuickTime]. And they didn't think too hard about how to form these songs. They just went into the studio and did it. I respect that and appreciate that. I think it's a style that's ready to be thrust back into the limelight."

Jimmy Ray's self-titled debut album is in stores now.