Everybody knows

Ray Charles. Whether it is from his appearances in films like "The

Blues Brothers" or on television on shows like "20/20,"

"Who's The Boss," "St. Elsewhere" or "Sesame

Street," Charles is an easily identifiable American icon. This Friday

and Saturday, Charles will perform his numerous hits at the Frederick

Brown Jr. Amphitheater.

Charles was

born in Georgia but raised in Florida. He began his recording career in

1949 and over the next 15 years he recorded 15 albums and a number of

singles in a variety of musical genres. His songs were popular both in

the U.S. and abroad and his star continued to rise. In 1967 Charles recorded

the song "Georgia On My Mind," one of his most popular songs.

It was named the official song of the state of Georgia in 1979 and Charles

sang it on the floor of the state capitol. Charles was also the first

performer inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1979.

Earlier in

the 1970s Charles was named man of the Year by the beverly Hills Lodge

of B'nai B'rith, was inducted into the Songwriter's hall of Fame, was

Honorary Life Chairman of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame as well as

Honorary Chairman for the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease's

Los Angeles Chapter since 1962. He was awarded the Golden Plate Award

Board of Directors.

While all this

was happening there was a bestselling autobography in bookstores around

the nation, he had appeared in the film "Ballad in Blue" and

was also a featured star in 1980's "The Blues Brothers." He

recieved a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received numerous awards

from Afro-American Studies groups at campuses across the U.S., and was

honoired with the NAACP's Hall of Fame Award at 1983's Image Awards. That

same year Charles was named Best R&B Male Vocalist.

The next year

Charles would record another song that would solidify his place in the

hearts and minds of all Americans. He performed at the Republican National

Convention and his televised rendition of "America The Beautiful"

was recorded and released on his "A Message from the People"

album. The song is now thought of by some to be the second national anthem

and continues to enjoy success.

Other awards

and honors that have been bestowed on Charles in his long and illustrious

career include being one of the first performers inducted into the Rock

N' Roll Hall of Fame, received the Kennedy Center Honors, was honored

of South Florida and received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award for his songs

"Georgia On My Mind" and "I've Got A Woman."

Ray Charles

will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Frederick Brown Jr.

Amphitheater. Standing room tickets are $45 and will go on sale at 6 p.m.

Slow Children at Play, a local ska band, will open the show.

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