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Ray Charles - Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist

Collins Cover Announcement 

Ray Charles

"The only true genius in show business."

(Quote from Frank Sinatra)

In November of 2008 Rolling Stone magazine named Ray Charles number two on their list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time." In 2004 they had ranked him as the "Tenth Greatest Performing Artist of All Time." Ray was a pioneer in Soul music by bringing together the sounds from Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, and Jazz. In the 1960s he was a strong influence in. integrating Country and Pop music performances.

Ray -Charles was horn on September 23, 1930 and became totally blind at age 7. He attended the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind from 1937 to 1945 where he developed his musical talent. From 1946 to 1950, he played and sang with several groups from Seattle to Miami.

During the 1950s, his popularity soared. In 1954 Ray recorded his own composition I Got a Woman, and it hit number one on the Rhythm & Blues chart. In 1959 he signed with Paramount Records and in 1960 had his first hit single Georgia on My Mind. My individually hand painted cachet shows Charles at the piano singing this classic American song. In 1979 it was proclaimed the state song of Georgia.

In 1962 his album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music helped to bring Country into mainstream music. His version of I Can't Stop Loving You was number one on the Pop chart for five weeks. In 1977 he hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live." In the 1980s he signed with Columbia Records and concentrated on Country music. A lifelong Republican, he sang at Ronald Reagan's second Inauguration and then at Bill Clinton's first. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, he appeared at Yankee Stadium and sang his stirring rendition of America the Beautiful.

Ray Charles was a tremendously gifted singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He was a national treasure, and his work remains so. He was "a true genius." Ray Charles is now ready — Collins #O5201 at $14.00