Ray Price

35 years ago tonight, I attended one of the best concerts I've ever been to, when my mom and I went to Symphony Hall at the Civic Plaza in downtown Phoenix and saw country legend Ray Price. It must have been some concert, for me to remember it so fondly and so well all these years later!

Ray sang that night to a sold-out audience. The show was sponsored by local country station KJ radio (long off the air now). January 12 is Ray Price's birthday, and Ray Odom, who was either the president or general manager or both of KJ radio (can't remember that detail now after so many years!) told the audience that when Ray came out on stage, we should all sing Happy Birthday to him - and we did! Ray had no idea that Mr. Odom had asked the audience to do that, and he was so tickled, and probably a little embarrassed! I remember him saying, in that Texas twang of his, "Ah'm supposed to sing for you all, not the other way around!" He sang so many of his great hits that night, including my mom's favorite, "I'd Rather Be Sorry," and he did a beautiful version of "Danny Boy" that left me with a lump in my throat and tears running down my face. As Mom said after the concert that night, he had the audience in the palm of his hand.

We saw Ray in concert several more times over the years, and I saw him at the Celebrity Theatre here in Phoenix just a couple years ago, and he still has that magnificent, wonderful voice. Now in his 80s, he can still sing with the best of them, like he did when he was in his 40s.

Happy Birthday again, Mr. Price! You have long been one of my family's cherished favorites!

http://www.officialraypricefanclub.com/