An Opry Salute to Ray Charles

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Grand Ole Opry celebrates the music and influence of the iconic Ray Charles in this musical tribute special.

Hosted by Opry member Darius Rucker, An Opry Salute to Ray Charles, airing Sunday, September 8 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV, unites two iconic entities with unique collaborations and special performances of Charles’ music, performed by a star-studded lineup of artists including Boyz II Men, Cam, Brett Eldredge, Leela James, Jessie Key, Ronnie Milsap, Lukas Nelson, LeAnn Rimes, Allen Stone, Travis Tritt, Charlie Wilson, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young.

During his formative years in Georgia and Florida, Ray Charles listened regularly to the Grand Ole Opry, beaming throughout the South via Nashville’s WSM-AM. Charles blended the blues and gospel into his original brand of R&B, played jazz, and recorded two volumes of the influential album Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, reissued on digital and CD on February 22nd, 2019 via Concord Records, also becoming available for the first time on streaming platforms.