
In the 1950s, he broke down the barriers of sacred and secular music, fused elements of gospel, jazz and blues together and mixed it with a fiery style that would come to be known as soul music.
He was also one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Ray Charles number 10 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and voted him number two on their November 2008 list of "The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time."
He won 12 competitive Grammys, earned three Emmy nominations, scored the Kennedy Center Honors, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts and inductions into the Rock, Jazz and Rhythm and Blues halls of fame.
Ray Charles’ recording of “Georgia On My Mind” was made the official state song for Georgia in 1979. He also appeared at two Presidential inaugurations, the first in 1985 when he performed for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, and then in 1993, when he performed for Bill Clinton's first inauguration.
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Image from here.
He received The Kennedy Center Honors for exemplary lifetime achievement in the performing arts in 1986 from President Ronald Reagan and the National Medal of Arts in 1993 from President William Clinton. In addition to winning 17 Grammy Awards, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.
In 1986, Mr. Charles created what is now known as The Ray Charles Foundation which is dedicated to providing support in the area of hearing disorders and the empowerment of young people through education by offering foundation support to educational institutions and non-profit education programs. The vision of The Ray Charles Foundation is to instill in the youth of America that “there is no challenge too great one cannot overcome.” Source
I couldn't find a video of Ray Charles singing with Kermit but I did find a great video that
I am sure Ray Charles would have loved. This video was made for earth day by the person behind the cute blog, Daily Puglet, that features the greenest pug I have ever seen in my life!
Please enjoy Ray Charles' rendition of 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
For more Tuesday Tunes please click the Tuesday Tunes button!
Best wishes and I hope you have a great week,
What a lovely post. I like Ray Charles, and recycling...it is a must!
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for Kermit the frog, I love this song and Ray Charles' version is lovely.
Great post Natasha - love Kermit too! And we should all do our bit and more on the recycling front too! x
ReplyDeleteNot just a Sunday Song but a full and well researched post Natasha, which was interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteDear Natasha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post (and pug!) - great idea your Sunday Songs, am enjoying them!
Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by on my blog too!
Regards
Nicola
p.s. After visiting you yesterday, I found loads of 'Pink Saturdays', had not come across them before and can not remember seeing them on any of the German blogs - maybe one ought to start?
We enjoy Ray Charles! We really enjoy your Sunday Song's!!
ReplyDeleteWendy
Natasha this must be one of the greatest videos about how being green ever made!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteRay Charles voice is so amazing...
Kisses and Hugs!!
Bit of a Ray Charles fan myself but no idea he was a Muppet fan! Now we have something in common. I once had a car named Kermit too - talk about not easy being green ;-) ahahahahaha xxx
ReplyDeleteOh man, that music clip made me smile! So very cool. I am joining in today... have a post about a song - don't laugh - it's "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus!! (my 5 year old daughter's favourite song ever)
ReplyDeletexx
Lovely post! That was a great music clip!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday.
Or is it Monday there now?
What a darling post! I love Ray Charles and Kermit so this is right up my alley;)!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea to have this as a regular Sunday post!
Enjoy!
Cathy
love Ray, such soul. What a fabulous Link you have started. Thank you for the Sunday music...perfect for the rain we are having today.
ReplyDeleteHI Natasha again : )
ReplyDeleteI watched Ray Charles perform this song on Sesame Street when my daughter, now 21 was glued to the T.V. when the Muppets were on every week.
When I lived in Georgia for a year with my family, we went to a place called "stone mountain". They had a lazer show on the rock wall. BIG ONE! They finished the show with Ray Charles belting out "GEORGIA" another one of my favourite songs. I have it as background music on one of my posts. The one with "Daisy Duke" on it.
Hope your having a great week, even though it's only Monday.. here anyway... : )
Love Claudie
xoxoxo
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love the bit on Ray Charles! Happy Monday
ReplyDeleteThe dog makes me smile - how cute!!
ReplyDeleteBeing a teenager in the 50's, I was totally in love with Ray Charles my whole life. He was and still is my FAVORITE singer and I have always loved his music. I can still "really get down" to his Baby, What'd I Say..Georgia...I Can't Stop Loving You...so so many great songs.
ReplyDelete