A songwriter and guitarist, Garay left behind studies at Stanford University School of Medicine to pursue a career as a professional musician.
[2] In the mid-1970s, Garay's manager, Michael J. Gruber, introduced him to engineer and producer David Hassinger, founder of The Sound Factory recording studio in Hollywood.
Garay was soon engineering recording sessions at The Sound Factory and working with Peter Asher, on albums like Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel, James Taylor's JT, and Bonnie Raitt's The Glow.
[3][2] In January 1980, Garay opened his own studio, Record One, in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, producing Kim Carnes album Mistaken Identity and its Grammy Award-winning song, "Bette Davis Eyes.
"[3] Garay engineered James Taylor's Dad Loves His Work in 1981, and produced the Motels' hit album All Four One in 1982.