Ray Charles

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Ray Charles died today. He was a giant of American popular music. His rendition of "America the Beautiful" made me cry each time I heard it for months following 9/11. More recently I get angry when I listen to his rendition thinking of how this country has been shamed by our leaders.

He made his mark in R&B. He played jazz. He rocked. He sang the blues. He even did country. He no sooner explored a new genre than he redefined it. He was a protean musical figure of almost unimaginable breadth.

Goodbye, Ray.