Posted on 06/10/2004 12:38:49 PM PDT by HEY4QDEMS
Posted as breaking on Fox News
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CNN just ran the clip of Ray Charles singing "America" for the President and Nancy at what looked like the second inauguration. It was sob-inducing.
For sure. I lost it when I saw it on IMUS this morning.
Can't say that I knew much of his personal life only that his public persona was one of a gentleman and an excellent singer. I could listen to him anyday compared to the trash that's on today.
Several people have mentioned Ray Charles - America The Beautiful and while this isn't the exact version of him singing it to the Reagans, it's close. This is a mono mp3, for faster download.
The 2000 GOP Convention featured a video of Kate Smith - God Bless America This is a mono audio mp3, 1941 version.
Didn't President Reagan bestow some kind of Honor on Ray Charles while he was prez?? I think I heard that on talk radio last nite.
Maybe they are both at happy hour in a piano bar right now and Ray singing a few songs.
Not meant to be disrespectful of either man, as they are/were both great!!!, but I could actually see where the two of them would really enjoy that.
I saw Ray Charles live in New York in the early 1970s, and it was the most diverse crowd I had ever seen at a concert-- long-haired college kids, middle-aged white people, middle-aged and older black people... his music reached so many. RIP.
Learned about his death last night while at Fenway Park. They did a really nice tribute to him, and played "America" while we watched a montage of his performances on the jumbotron.
i heard thaT Ray played for Reagan at the white house in 1984. I have been trying to find a picture of them together, but with no luck. if anyone finds such a pic, could you let me know? thanks.
Ronald Reagan & Ray Charles, two American giants and patriots. They made the USA a better place for us all, one with political leadership and the other as a "one-of-a-kind" American music innovator. May they both rest in peace! To both you guys: "you da men!"!!!!!
See post #70 on this thread for a pic of President Reagan and Ray Charles together.
Thanks to all who contributed to this--and the Reagan-- threads. Your insightful comments make dealing with this incredibly sad week much easier.
"His rendition of America The Beautiful kept me sane after 9/11."
I've been singing it all day. Larry Elder's show (Larry was at the burial ceremony) had a great mix of Ray's "America the Beautiful" with classic Reagan quotes ending with his farewell "Not bad. Not bad at all" classic.
I believe Ray played at Reagan's inaugural in '80.
Godbless Ray along with Ronnie.
He did Country-Western, Pop, Rhythm and Blues, and a host of other forms that await proper classification.
The man was a true virtuoso.
Others have said it, I know, but his America the Beautiful is truly a tear-jerker for me.
I've written to Larry and asked that somehow, the powers that be at KABC make the Ray Charles/Reagan tribute available. There are no doubt copywrite considerations, but there must be a way. One of the hosts also mentioned that there was accompanying video. I could only hope it could somehow become available to us, given how awesome the audio is alone.
ping
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