[CharlieAMA]

I have had about 10 phone calls that Ray Price died today at home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Alot of people probably don't care, but he cut his first record in 1949, on 78's, and was still singing until this summer. About 8 weeks ago, he cancelled his concerts, and was in home hospice last Friday. Ray was the originator of the shuffle beat, along with Floyd Cramer, Grady Martin, Tommy Jackson and Jimmy Day, when they cut 'Crazy Arms' in March of 1956. The song, written by Ralph Mooney, revolutionalized the country-western sound forever. He was 87. I saw Ray play live about 30-40 times over the years, and the wife and I loved dancing to him. Thanks for the music buddy. Charlie Henderson

 

[mx8dave]

He was great,,enjoyed his music,,,MX8Dave

 

[CharlieAMA]

For those who care, the shuffle beat is a 2/4 song(two step)with a walking bass. In other words, you hear the bass beat(up right or electric) on every beat of the song. It is great to dance too. We used to call it the buckle polishing beat.LOL.

 

[CharlieAMA]

Yea, I saw that Rick. His son Cliff reported that he had passed, but somebody called Janie, his wife, and she said he was still alive. Minor faux pas. Cliff was fronting his band the last time we saw him play here in Amarillo. Anyway, 'For the Good Times' was a greaat song.

 

[CharlieAMA]

Yea, one of the last of the greats. I first heard him, Christmas 1958, when I got a RCA Victor table top radio for Christmas from my grandparents. It took about 2-3 minutes for it to warm up, and I found a country station, KEEN, San Jose, Calif., and Ray was singing 'Invitation to the Blues', written by Roger Miller. I was hooked. Have all his 78's, 45's, and 33LP vinyl. I was 5 in 1958, and I just followed him ever since.

 

[1oldtimer]

He was one of the greats. I just didn't consider him country. More popular music.

Clyde

 

[Catpower]

HE was a great singer, he will be missed

 

[Bob Hawkes]

FOR THE GOOD TIMES!! Thank you Ray, and sadly as we look at our Country today, me thinks the best times are behind us.

 

[timberfaller]

One of the Best!

Lip synching and computerization is today sound!

Personal talent is hard to beat!!

RIP Ray

 

[trapshootin hippie]

Just sitting here wondering what 1oldtimer considers country. Ray was the best of the best.

GneJ

 

[dirt stirrer]

Took my folks out to see him in a pasture in western Oklahoma, with the Gatlin Brothers, and some others too. Rained all frickin evening. Horse troughs full of ice and beer. People were pretty wasted by the time the rain let up and they let them onto the covered pasture stage, and this old drunk, during the entire lead ins by the other performers was getting up and swinging his beer and yelling (actually slurring slobberingly) "sing fo' dddddaa good times". We almost had more fun watching him than the show. Then saw him again in our community center here north of Tulsa just a few years ago, think he was 80 years old then. Still did a bang up job.

 

[riggs]

Saw Ray perform at the Rosebub theater in Effingham IL. it was his 85th
birthday he was great so was his band. After the show he Invited every one
form cake he walked around a shook everybodys hand. a great guy. He will be
missed

Riggs

 

[1oldtimer]

Hippie, I guess I am a little older than you. My Idea of country is Hank Williams Sr.--Hank Snow--Johnny Cash--Waylon--Willie--Carl Smith--George Jones--George Straight--Paycheck--Patsy Cline. Dolly. Singers from the late 40's--60's. Sirius Country--radio--Willies Roadhouse--Many are deceased now.

1 oldtimer

 

[claybuster38]

His rendition of Stagger Lee we must of heard a million times also. Rates right up there in my mind with one of the grates. More rithem and blues than country.In the "40"s I went to sleep with Western on the radio and woke up to it. The Mighty Ten Ninety from Roserito Beach. Yep the good times are Just about gone. Liberal Socialism is taking us under. Marv