Ray Charles

Incredible Portraits Of Cultural Icons

Posted 05.10.2012

Read More: Steve Jobs, Photography, South Africa, Video, Celebrity Photography, Jodi Foster, Robert Mapplethorpe, Slideexpand, Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith, Ray Charles, Norman Seeff, Portrait, Blondie, Arts News

Norman Seeff is a South African rock photographer known for capturing the grit and glamor of the world's most creative minds, though he didn't start o...

Read Whole Story

This Weekend's Kindiefest Plus Conversations With Curtis Stigers and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Paul O'Neill

Mike Ragogna | Posted 04.25.2012

Read More: Star Wars, Mavis Staples, David Foster, Michael Chabon, Eddie Floyd, Crowded House, Sons of Anarchy, Ahmet Ertegun, Elvis Costello, Stax Records, Oscar Wilde, Bob Thiele Jr., Julia Fordham, David Poe, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jeff Tweedy, Bob Dylan, Journey Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Buchanan, Curtis Stigers, Larry Klein, Nick Lowe, Blue Nile, Ray Charles, Kindiefest, 4th Annual Kindiefest, Kindfest, Video, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

Family music has changed much in recent years, with groups representing every possible musical genre (folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, Latin, Americana, hip-hop, etc) only under the sub-genre of Kindie Rock.

Read Post

Culture With a Side of Popcorn

Tom Teicholz | Posted 04.20.2012

Read More: Aretha Franklin, The Metropolitan Opera, Nicholas Hytner, The Met in HD, The National Theater, Ballet in Cinema, Don Giovanni, Phedre, One Man Two Guvnors, Broadway, NT Live, Ray Charles, Bolshoi Ballet, Helen Mirren, Mozart, Arts News
Tom Teicholz

One could do worse than to abide by these resolutions: Be lazy. Stay local. Be frugal -- see theater, opera and ballet in HD. Be lazy. Stay local. Be frugal. Travel the world without ever leaving home -- see theater, opera and ballet in HD.

Read Post

Dog Ears Music: Things My Accountant Says Playlist

Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin | Posted 04.13.2012

Read More: Count Basie, Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, The Strokes, The Knack, Robert Ellis, New Radicals, Trent Dabbs, Music, Billy Lee Riley, Gov?T Mule, Harper Simon, Skeletons, Buffalo Springfield, The Mynabirds, J.B. Lenoir, Young the Giant, Jamie Lidell, The Jaggerz, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Danielle Evin, Ry Cooder, Peggy Lee, John Hammond, As Tall as Lions, mp3s, Hard-Fi, Jesse Winchester, Champion Jack Dupree, Phil Ramone, Fats Waller, Supergrass, Oasis, Ray Charles, Dog Ears, Entertainment News
Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin

This week our playlist includes music by Fats Waller, Champion Jack Dupree, Supergrass, Harper Simon, Count Basie and more.

Read Post

Grammytech 2: A Conversation With Bob Clearmountain, Plus Chatting With Steve Tyrell

Mike Ragogna | Posted 04.17.2012

Read More: Linda Ronstadt, Dionne Warwick, Chris Botti, Etta James, B.J. Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, David Foster, Bob Clearmountain, Ahmet Ertegun, Burt Bacharach, Adele, Hal David, Rod Stewart, Carole King, James Ingram, Aaron Spelling, Cynthia Weil, Billy Davis Jr., Barry Mann, America's Got Talent, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles, Father of the Bride, American Idol, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, 2012 Grammys, Grammys 2012, Bruce Springsteen Grammys, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

The thing with Bruce, and any artist like Bruce, is that the most important thing is the song, getting across the meaning and the character of the song. Bruce is almost like an actor in that he creates a character for each of his songs.

Read Post

Ray Charles Foundation Wants $3 Million Gift Back

AP | By ERRIN HAINES | Posted 02.15.2012

Read More: Albany State University, Video, Valerie Ervin, Charity, Ray Charles Charity, Georgia, Ray Charles Foundation, Ray Charles, Demetrius Love, Impact News

ATLANTA -- The Ray Charles Foundation is demanding the return of a $3 million gift given to Albany State University a decade ago because the organizat...

Read Whole Story

Behind the Scenes of an Austin City Limits Taping Featuring Fleet Foxes

Mark R. Collins | Posted 03.19.2012

Read More: Arcade Fire, Pbs, Fleet Foxes, Paul McCartney, Daft Punk, Austin City Limits, Ray Charles, Radiohead, Klru, Acltv, Culture News
Mark R. Collins

The thing that makes Austin City Limits the benchmark for quality music television are the people who don't get any recognition: the producers, directors, interns, volunteers, and countless others who work behind the scenes.

Read Post

Jeff Lorber Fusion's Exclusive Download, Plus Chatting With Chicago's Lee Loughnane and JB Baretsky

Mike Ragogna | Posted 02.08.2012

Read More: Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Simon & Garfunkel, Jason Scheff, Chicago, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, Hootie & the Blowfish, Al Kooper, Lee Loughnane, America, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Dean Martin, Steve Cropper, Darius Rucker, Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam, Leonard Cohen, Joe Montegna, Michael Bublé, Lou Pardini, Kyle Mooney, Blood Sweat & Tears, Phil Ramone, Bobby Darin, JB Baretsky, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Robert Lamm, Video, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

Come January 31, 2012, Jeff Lorber Fusion's Galaxy album will hit the streets. Here's a taste of the album, a track titled "Horace," that's an exclusive download for readers of The Huffington Post.

Read Post

Moline Loves Paul Simon, Plus Chatting With Bill Wyman, American Idol's James Durbin and Mastodon's Brann Dailor

Mike Ragogna | Posted 01.17.2012

Read More: Dr. Dre, Eurythmics, Mick Jagger, Eminem, Nick Payn, Dr. Hook, 50 Cent, Terry Tyler, Willie & the Poor Boys, Alan Parsons, Beverley Skeete, J.J. Cale, Thirty Seconds to Mars, James Michael, Today's the Day, Dennis Locorriere, Mick Mars, Hardcore Superstar, Dio, Ronnie Lane, The Sopranos, Mick Taylor, The Faces, Led Zeppelin, Guy Fawkes, Keith Richards, Tony Soprano, Steve Perry, Roger Waters, Brann Dailor, Jamiroquai, DJ Ashba, Charlie Watts, James Durbin, Bill Keliher, Ray Charles, Peter Frampton, American Idol, Chris Jericho, Ethel Waters, Eric Clapton, Mike Elizondo, Don Was, Procol Harum, Queen, Geraint Watkins, Frank Mead, Gary Brooker, Bill Wyman, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Judas Priest, Elton John, Billy Bob Thornton, Dancing With the Stars, Georgie Fame, Marti Frederiksen, Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, My Chemical Romance, Barbarella, Bob Dylan, Stephane Grappelli, Mark Knopfler, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, Ben Moody, Annie Lennox, Albert Lee, Fats Waller, Roald Dahl, Crash Diet, Mastedon, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

Although it seems that Paul Simon has been on the road frequently over the last few years, his latest tour seems much more date-packed as he heralds his latest and one of the best albums of his career, So Beautiful Or So What.

Read Post

Miles Davis Biopic In The Works

Posted 01.10.2012

Read More: Miles Davis Biopic, Johnny Cash, George Tillman Jr, Jazz Music, Heroin, Music, Music Biopic, Miles Davis, Miles-Davis-Bitches-Brew, Notorious B.I.G., Notorious, Biopic, Kind-of-Blue, Jazz, Bitches-Brew, Ray Charles, Soul Food, Arts News

An upcoming Miles Davis biopic looks like it will see the light of day after George Tillman Jr. has agreed to direct. Tillman's resume includes the No...

Read Whole Story

Maroon 5 with Travie McCoy on SNL, Plus Chatting with Vince Gill, Trombone Shorty and Paul Rodgers

Mike Ragogna | Posted 01.06.2012

Read More: Joe Cocker, Wilson Pickett, Trombone Shorty, Maroon 5, Warren Haynes, Sam Cooke, Garah Gill, Otis Redding, Dolly Parton, Bad Company, Stevie Wonder, Gerry Rafferty, Rosanne Cash, Pete Wasner, Ashley Monroe, Maggie Bell, Corrina Gill, Detective, Rick Rubin, Muddy Waters, Vince Gill, The Everly Brothers, Steve Lukather, Jason Bonham, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. John, Jasmine Rogers, Booker T. And the MGs, Dylan O'brien, U2, Buddy Guy, Ray Charles, Jazz Fest, Po' Folks, Solid Gold, Gym Class Heroes, Brad Paisley, Jenny Gill, Pure Prairie League, Tuba Fatts, Eric Clapton, Slash, Elmore James, Pistol Annies, Paul Kossoff, Keith Urban, The Firm, Treme, Queen, Neal Schon, Bob Ezrin, Travie McCoy, Will Owsley, Robert Lucas, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Ian Hatton, Amy Grant, Louis Armstrong, Carly Simon, Alison Krauss, James Brown, Les Paul, Bekka Bramlett, Green Day, Free, Paul Rogers, American Bandstand, Canned Heat, Luther Allison, Mr. Haney, John Lee Hooker, Lenny Kravitz, Green Acres, The Ministry, Jimi Hendrix, Nin, James Taylor, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

2011-11-07-Screenshot20111107at10.56.47AM.png

Read Post

Neil Young's Bridge School Exclusive: Dave Matthews' "Too Much," Plus Chatting With Johnny Winter, Queen's Roger Taylor and Yes' Steve Howe

Mike Ragogna | Posted 12.04.2011

Read More: Mike Myers, Johnny Winter, Sonny Terry, Dave Matthews, Flash Gordon, Warren Haynes, Asia, Alan White, Fleet Foxes, James Burton, George Thorogood, Brian May, Yes, Jimmy Vivino, Edgar Winters, B.B. King, The McCoys, John Medeski, Vince Gill, Muddy Waters, The Shadows, Mark Fisher, Ray Fenwick, Jeff Beck, The Highlander, Oliver Wakeman, Stevie Ray Vaughn, AC/DC, Ray Charles, Bill Bruford, Pearl Jam, Rick Wakeman, U2, Scotty Moore, Brownie McGhee, Little Richard, The Hollies, Tom Chaplin, Eric Clapton, Dino De Laurentis, Dylan Howe, Queen, Benoit David, Sonny Landreth, Rick Nelson, Paul Nelson, Billy Gibbons, Geoff Downes, David Bowie, Roger Taylor, Chet Atkins, Graham Nash, Les Paul, Tom Yorke, Paul Sutin, Rick Derringer, Paul Rogers, Jon Anderson, Trevor Horn, John Deacon, Paul McCartney, Steve Howe, Robert Johnson, Ross Stanley, George Michael, Freddie Mercury, Steve Moore, Keane, Susan Tedeschi, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Wayne's World, Chris Squire, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Derek Trucks, Gtr, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

2011-10-05-Screenshot20111005at9.27.36AM.jpg

Read Post

Look Who's Playing Ray Charles Now

Posted 11.16.2011

Read More: Javier Colon the Voice, Television, Javier Colon the Playboy Club, The Voice, Javier Colon, Ray Charles, Fall TV, Nbc, The Playboy Club, Entertainment News

The winner of NBC's hit "The Voice" has been relatively quiet since his big win -- but that's all about to change, as he's among a group of contempora...

Read Whole Story

12 Other Songs Ashford & Simpson Wrote

IllDoctrine | Posted 10.22.2011

Read More: Jerry Lieber, Motown, Chaka Khan, Valerie Simpson, Funk Music, Ray Charles, Nick Ashford, Soul Music, Ashford and Simpson, Black Voices News

Tonight came the sad news that (along with fellow songwriting great Jerry Leiber) Nick Ashford passed away today. For those who know Ashford & Simpson...

Read Whole Story

Just a Juggalo: Chatting with Insane Clown Posse, Plus Audio Fidelity's Marshall Blonstein and N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease)

Mike Ragogna | Posted 09.27.2011

Read More: Insane Clown Posse, Xzibit, The Eagles, JJ Walker, MC Hammer, Mario McNulty, Lou Adler, Flavor Flav, The Beach Boys, Steve Hoffman, Ten Years After, No Evidence of Disease, Bad Company, John Soper, Rush, William "Rusty" Robinson, Women's Cancer Foundation, Vanilla Ice, Steve Winwood, Chris Brown, Kiss, Iggy Pop, Marshall Blonstein, Shaggy, Busta Rhymes, Kevin Gray, Juggalo Gathering, Wally Heider, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ringo Starr, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Charlie Sheen, N.E.D., Mitch Ryder, Kottonmouth Kings, National Allstar Wrestling, Ode Records, Grace Jones, Cbs, Sade, Island Records, Whitney Houston, The Roches, Carly Simon, Gynecological Cancer Foundation, The Wallfowers, Elton John, Marianne Faithful, DJ Quik, Bob Marley, Simon & Garfunkel, Third World, Carole King, Paul McCartney, George Clinton, Alice Cooper, Audio Fidelity, Ice Cube, Bobby Brown, Rihanna, The Doors, Lenny Kravitz, Women's Health, Horrorcore, DCC COmpact Classics, Bryan Adams, James Taylor, Geart, Cky, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

2011-07-29-Screenshot20110729at8.10.08AM.png

Read Post

Country's Cousins: Conversations with Diane Schuur and America's Got Talent Winner Michael Grimm

Mike Ragogna | Posted 07.12.2011

Read More: Michael Grimm, Sarah Vaughn, Kevin Hunter, Stan Getz, Bill Harrah, Otis Redding, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bobby McFerrin, Stevie Wonder, Hurricane Katrina, Diane Schuur, Pat Benatar, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, Jackie Evancho, Simon Cowell, Stevie Nicks, Vince Gill, Rod Stewart, Bill Medley, The Faces, Ian McLagan, Wire Train, Patti Page, Nancy Wilson, Green Valley Ranch, America's Got Talent, Greg Leisz, Supernatural, Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, American Idol, Kenny Aronoff, Ann Wilson, Larry Carlton, Don Was, Energy Force, Count Basie, Grammy, Joey Reynolds, Monterey Jazz Festival, Concord Records, Alsion Krauss, Doris Day, Jeannie Seely, Heart, Bob Clearmountain, Edie Gorme, Willie Nelson, Kay Starr, George Shearing, The Manhattan Transfer, Steve Buckingham, Barbra Streisand, Travis Tritt, Floyd Cramer, Mark Knopfler, Judy Alberti, Ed Shaughnessy, Waddy Wachtel, True Blood, Barry Manilow, Smokey Robinson, Grp, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

For her new album, Diane Schurr says: "The one thing that I did purposefully on this was, number one, not to do it with a twang, and number two, I wanted it to please both people that are into country and people that are into jazz."

Read Post

HuffPost Exclusive: Jim Bianco "Sinners," Plus a Conversation with The Crystals' La La Brooks and PBS Premieres Rock, Pop & Doo Wop

Mike Ragogna | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Cotton Comes to Harlem, Melba Moore, Patty Duke, Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Tina Turner, Diane Keaton, Isaac Hayes, The Crystals, Myrna Gerard, The Beatles, Blondie, Richard Nixon, Hair, Elvis Costello, Quincy Jones, Galt McDermott, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Jack Nitzsche, Jim Croce, Ronnie Spector, Two Gentleman of Verona, Ashford & Simpson, Bobby Womack, Leslie Gore, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Razor & Tie, Tom Waits, La La Brooks, Bernadette Peters, Ossie Davis, Darlene Love, Brill Building, Cher, U2, The Blossoms, Tommy West, Valerie Simpson, Jim Bianco, The Neville Brothers, American Idol, Ray Charles, Barbara Austin, Dee Dee Kenniebrew, Jeff Barry, James Rado, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

Presented here is an exclusive HuffPost premiere of the Jim Bianco single, "Sinners," which just might become your new favorite party anthem.

Read Post

Memorable Moments from the NAACP Image Awards

Vic Bulluck | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Denzel Washington, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Patti Labelle, Image Award, Cedric the Entertainer, Jamie Foxx, NAACP Image Awards, Bill Cosby, Hollywood, Barack Obama, Tyler Perry, Image Awards, Oprah Winfrey, Aaliyah, Jackson State University, Halle Berry, Bernie Mac, Julian Bond, Black Entertainment, Slidepollajax, Alicia Keys, Ray Charles, NAACP Image Award, Naacp, Quincy Jones, Entertainment News
Vic Bulluck

2011-03-02-mj.jpgThe NAACP Image Awards is the nation's premier multi-cultural awards show celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color.

Read Post

'American Idol' Austin: Casey Abrams Wows

Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: American Idol Austin, American Idol Casey Abrams, Randy Jackson, Seth Rogen, American Idol Apology, Steven Tyler, Casey Abrams I Don't Need No Doctor, Ray Charles, American Idol, Casey Abrams, Video, Entertainment News

Casey Abrams wowed the judges on Wednesday night's 'American Idol' in Austin and proved he don't need no singing doctor. The 19-year old from Idyll...

Read Whole Story

Halle Berry 'Works' as Young Aretha Franklin

Morris W. O'Kelly | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Sings the Blues, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Leon, Jamie Foxx, Little Richard, Billy Dee Williams, Ray Charles, Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records, Entertainment News
Morris W. O'Kelly

Aretha says she wants Halle for the part. Aretha now says she has Halle for the part. Halle's public remarks indicate she's reticent to play the rol...

Read Post

"Make Your OWN Kind of Music": A Playlist for Oprah's New Network

David Wild | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: The Boxmasters, Michael McDonald, Aqualung, Patti Labelle, The Black Eyed Peas, Coconut Records, OWN Network, Ben Harper, Jamie Foxx, Suze Orman, Bread, Lesley Gore, Beck, Dion, Dr. Oz, Whitney Houston, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, U2, Mama Cass, Jack Johnson, Fleetwood Mac, Jakob Dylan, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Brad Paisley, Bruce Springsteen, Robyn, Jay-Z, Entertainment News
David Wild

Last time my wife or I checked, I was still technically a man. So sadly, I may not fit into the most desirable demographic for Oprah Winfrey's brand new OWN network. Still, I am watching.

Read Post

New Year 1/1/11 Playlist

Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Ryan Adams, Steely Dan, Marah, Danielle Evin, Jack Payne & His Orchestra, Amadou & Mariam, Music, The Kinks, Curtis Mayfield, Lester Young, Manchester Orchestra, M. Ward (With Lucinda Williams), mp3s, John Lennon, Little Feat, Tracy Bonham, Gillian Welch, Ray Lamontagne, Phil Ramone, Oasis, Ed Harcourt, Willie Cobbs, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Dog Ears, Foghat, Lou Reed, Entertainment News
Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin

This week, we feature music from Elvis Costello, Ed Harcourt, Lou Reed, and Steely Dan among others.

Read Post

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Should Be The American Music Hall of Fame

Brian Ross | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: New Orleans, Elmore James, Count Basie, Thelonius Monk, Soul Music, Ska, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Bluegrass, Reggae, Charlie Parker, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music, Glenn Miller, Big Joe Turner, Bob Marley, American Popular Music, R&b, Dr. John, Tom Waits, Pop Music, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dick Clark, John Lee Hooker, Jazz, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Blues, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Rock and Roll, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jimmy Cliff, Buddy Guy, Rolling Stones, Don Cornelius, Music, Entertainment News
Brian Ross

The latest crop of inductees was announced yesterday by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Once again, it honored musicians who just a...

Read Post

"We Have No Secrets": A Revealing Playlist for All Your WikiLeaks

David Wild | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Amos Lee, Wikipedia, All-American Rejects, Guster, Madonna, Ne-Yo, Wikileaks, Queens of the Stone Age, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Carly Simon, Coldplay, Rush, Julian Assange, Ludacris, Secret Sisters, Ray Charles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Entertainment News
David Wild

Until Julian Assange document drops his debut album on the WikiLeaks Records label, here's my own very revealing soundtrack for all your assorted and sundry leaking needs.

Read Post

Life Is Good: Conversations With Jason Mraz and Alexa Ray Joel, Plus Alexa's New Video "Notice Me"

Mike Ragogna | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Billie Holiday, Jason Mraz, Brett Dennen, Rosie O'Donnell, Bert Jacobs, Howard Stern, Billy Joel, Gwen Stefani, Alexa Ray Joel, Aladdin, Whitney Houston, Blondie, George Carlin, Christie Brinkley, Ray Charles, Solar Power, Prell, Entertainment News
Mike Ragogna

In an interview, Mraz said, "What am I up to? All kinds of things. I'm in the middle of making a record. Basically, what my life is all about is that search for inspiration. It's spirituality, art, and freedom."

Read Post