On Friday, the city of Albany will honor one of its own, with the dedication of a waterfront plaza named in honor of the late Ray Charles. The plaza, on the banks of the Flint River, will feature a life size bronze statute of the jazz and blues legend, seated at a baby grand. Stage lighting and music will help to create the illusion of Ray Charles in concert.
Cullena Moreman is project coordinator for Albany Tomorrow.
"Ray's memory is very important. A lot of people say he didn't spend a lot of his time here in Albany. But whether he was here for six months or six years, no other place in this world can claim to be the birthplace for Ray Charles Robinson."The day long event will feature musicians from throughout Georgia, including Albany's Willie Moody. Moody performed with Charles in 1979. On April 24th of that year, Ray Charles sang for the Georgia legislature, performing his signature song, Georgia on my Mind.
