Ray Charles (1930-2004)

Sad news today. Ray Charles has died at 73. I can't say that Ray's music has influenced mine in any way, but I was certainly drawn to his. If anyone out there thinks that "What'd I Say" has been played to death, along with his renditions of "Georgia On My Mind" and "America The Beautiful"... please take the time to track down his early soulful recording of "Drown In My Own Tears". You will find yourself suddenly picking through his catalog looking for more overlooked gems like this. Try spinning the 1986 duet of "Baby Grand" with Billy Joel or the clever "We Didn't See A Thing" with George Jones. Diverse. Talented. Special. We've lost another American icon, folks. Raise your glass and pop in "The Blues Brothers" over the weekend in tribute. He will be missed.