Ray Price – his music still creates good times
One of country music’s greatest singers was the late Ray Price. Even now, over a year after his passing in 2013, his music continues to receive accolades through his 2014 CD “Beauty Is…” Price fought pancreatic cancer to complete his final album project with legendary producer and longtime friend Fred Foster. Beauty Is … the final sessions was released in April 2014.
It debuted at #22 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The CD garnered a unique Honorable Mention on Billboard.com’s The 10 Best Country Albums of 2014 list, and grabbed the #1 spot on TheNashvilleBridge.com’s Top 10 Albums list.
His duet with Martina McBride, “An Affair To Remember,” scored as #8 on the Hotdisc International Chart’s Top 30 Most Popular Songs of 2014 list after three consecutive weeks at #1. His music is even finding new uses as ESPN-TV used “For The Good Times” in College Football Playoff ads.
Price was a Texan from Peach who had a mastery of the sounds that appealed to audiences whether he was performing the classic honky-tonk sounds of the 1950s or the smooth string infused ballads of the 1960s and 70s.
His iconic Kris Kristofferson smash was “For The Good Times.” Known by the nickname of the Cherokee Cowboy, he charted over 100 times with 46 Top Ten hits, nine #1 singles and five #1 albums.
He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry who enjoyed Gold and Platinum album sales, won two Grammy® awards, took home a CMA trophy, earned two ACM awards and his place in the Country Music Hall of Fame and in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
The latter of those, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame is honoring him with a special exhibit entitled “For The Good Times” to be unveiled on Saturday, February 28 at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage, Texas. The new display will feature over 60 of the star’s personal items, and represents Ray’s many career accomplishments and his lifelong commitment to his craft. Following a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, fans can tour the exhibit for the day, free of charge.
The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Band will provide entertainment, and numerous special guests are expected to appear throughout the day.
Ray’s widow, Janie Price, will be on hand to discuss the exhibit’s special items and to sign autographs.
“With the excitement of his new CD, ‘Beauty Is … the final sessions,’ the museum wanted to enhance Ray’s display, and that tied in nicely with a 3,000 square-foot expansion to their existing exhibit space,” she said. “Ray was so proud that he was able to accomplish his dream of becoming an international star, but he was most proud to be a Texan, and to be able to give back to his home state. To have this new exhibit so close to home, as we continue to write the last chapter in his life story, is a special honor.”
If you do visit, you can also see the Tex Ritter Museum. Learn more at http://www.carthagetexas.com/HallofFame/index.html.
Recently, a new single, “I Wish I Was 18 Again,” was released. The CD, on Amerimonte Records, can be purchased at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations, Hastings Stores, Wal-Mart, Amazon and other retailers.
