On this Sunday’s edition of News You Can Use on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 at 5:30a and 9:00a,
host Ann Baldwin and co-host Lisa Nkonoki speak with none other than Ray Charles Jr., Award
winning film producer, author and son of the iconic musician, Mr. Ray Charles, “The Genius”.
Ray joins the show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Ray, a film that remains in the top 10
Biopics of all times, and a movie that Ray Jr, originally optioned, co-produced and selected
Jamie Foxx to star in and Taylor Hackford to direct. Ray Jr. shares personal anecdotes of
growing up the son of a prodigy, some of his fathers famous and closest friends, including
Quincy Jones, WIllie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, and Clint Eastwood,
just to name a few. Ray Jr speaks about his award winning book,
You Don’t Know Me, Reflections of My Father Ray Charles and
shares a few funny stories about his fathers personality at home
and how he literally would drive their family car and private Lear Jet!
Ray shares fond memories of his mother, Della Beatrice Howard
Robinson, who recently passed away just shy of her 93rd birthday in
June, and her contributions to their family and the community. Della
B was a famous gospel singer before meeting, and marrying his dad
in Texas.
Della B, was a committed wife, mother and business partner to Ray
Charles, as portrayed by actress Kerry Washington, in the movie Ray, and was an avid spiritual,
community and political supporter who was honored by the Los Angeles City Council and in
Congress by Congresswoman Karen Bass for her lifetime of volunteering and opening her
home to the community.
Ray Jr is a newlywed, father to 2 beautiful adult daughters, stepfather to 3 and grandfather to 4
amazing kids. To hear more on the life of Ray Charles Jr., tune in to this edition of News You
Can Use on WTIC NewsTalk 1080.