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| Ray Charles grew up in the rural community |
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| Children of Ray Charles pictured with life-size bronze sculpture of Ray Charles |
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Town of Greenville, Fla. dedicates statue of music legend Ray Charles
For photos of the Memorial Dedication
On the count of three, childhood playmate and town mayor Elesta Pritchett joined members of the Greenville, Fla. town council in unveiling the life-size sculpture of singer Ray Charles, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006. As the likeness was revealed, the crowd of 400 broke into applause and cheers. Jim Parrish, dedication moderator, said, “Welcome home, RC, welcome home.” Members of the Charles family, children - Evelyn Robinson, Sheila Raye Charles, Raenee Robinson McClellan and Corey Robinson den Bok - and Shelby Robinson, Charles’ grandson, were special guests at the dedication ceremony.
Charles, who grew up in the Jellyroll district of the rural North Florida town, became a music legend credited with sparking the advent of “soul” music and influencing music genres from country to rock and roll for decades. The singer, bandleader and performer died in 2004 and was introduced to a whole new generation of music lovers in the movie, “Ray.”
The statue was designed by the father and son team of Brad Cooley, Sr. and Brad Cooley, Jr. The Cooleys whose studios are located in Lamont, Fla. have a national reputation for producing exceptional monumental works of art. They designed a similar piece of Otis Redding on display in Albany, Ga., entitled “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”
In her remarks before visitors to Haffye Hayes Park where the monument has a permanent home, Pritchett fondly recalled the laughing, playful Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson and called RC by friends. She said that she has always wanted the town to remember Charles in a very special way so that “His success could serve as an inspiration to young people who have to face adversities like he did.” Charles was from one of the area’s poorest families, became blind at seven years of age and was sent to a special school for the blind far from home. He lost his younger brother, George, and later lost his mother when he was 15. Charles claimed his background made him strong.
The Rev. J. B. Duval, pastor of the New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, offered the dedication prayer. New Shiloh is the where Charles first heard and learned about music.
Greenville Council members are Jamie Scarboro, Alphonso Young, Sr., Peter Young, Jr., and Alfonso Washington. Members of the Ray Charles Dedication committee are Jim Parrish, Town Clerk Cindy Hutto, Madison Co. Commissioner Ronnie Moore, Mayor Pritchett, Lucile Dale, Joe Reams III and Patricia M. Hinton. |
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| The blind musician grew up in Greenville |
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Ray Charles and Greenville
Born in Albany, Ga. in 1930, Ray Charles Robinson spent his boyhood in the Jellyroll neighborhood of Greenville playing with many who still remember him as a boy and young man.
He contracted glaucoma at the age of seven and attended the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind returning to Greenville during the summer. It was in Greenville the roots of Charles’ musical gifts took hold, developing into a talent later embraced by the world.
The blind musician pioneered soul music and is considered one of the most complete and well-rounded musical talents this century has produced. His influence was felt in gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock and roll and country music. He received 13 Grammy awards for his music.
The innovative singer, pianist and bandleader was 74 when he died June 10, 2004.
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Bronze by Cooley crafted the statue
Link to Bronze by Cooley website
The 400 lb. bronze sculpture was created by master artists Bradley Cooley and Brad Cooley, Jr., whose studio is located in Lamont, Fla. The father and son team of Bronze by Cooley specializes in monumental sculptures. One similar to the Ray Charles project is their Otis Redding “Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay” in Macon, Ga. Cooley works include the Seminole Veterans Memorial, Miccosukee family in the Indian Heritage Tableau, Florida Fallen Firefighter Wall of Honor, and many others. |
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