Album: Sweet Memories: The Music Of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys
Label: MCA Nashville
Release date: August 3, 2023
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin have teamed up for a special tribute to Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys on an upcoming tribute album that will be coming up on August 3rd.
From the foreword from country icon Bill Anderson, "They have taken their admiration for Ray Price to the next level. the students honoring the teacher with one of the finest true-country tributes of all time. It's more than a tribute, though. it's Vince's and Paul's way of saying `thank you' to one of the masters who helped define the genre while influencing them greatly."
Ray Price was an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his smooth vocal style and his contributions to the honky-tonk genre. He was born on January 12, 1926, in Perryville, Texas, and passed away on December 16, 2013, in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
Price began his musical career in the late 1940s, playing in various bands and honky-tonks in Texas. He gained recognition as a member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys, playing the bass fiddle and singing backup vocals. Price's time with Hank Williams greatly influenced his musical style and helped shape his future sound.
In the early 1950s, Ray Price formed his own band called the Cherokee Cowboys. The Cherokee Cowboys became one of the most successful and influential backing bands in country music history. The original lineup included notable musicians such as Buddy Emmons, Roger Miller, and Willie Nelson.
With the Cherokee Cowboys, Price developed a signature sound known as the "Ray Price Shuffle" or the "Ray Price Beat." This style featured a walking bass line and a unique rhythm that blended elements of country, swing, and jazz. The Cherokee Cowboys provided the perfect accompaniment to Price's smooth vocals and helped him achieve numerous hits throughout his career.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Ray Price enjoyed a string of chart-topping singles, including "Crazy Arms," "City Lights," and "For the Good Times." His rich baritone voice, combined with the innovative sound of the Cherokee Cowboys, made him a respected and influential figure in country music.
Price's success continued through the decades, and he remained a popular performer well into the 2000s. He recorded over 100 albums, won numerous awards, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. Ray Price's contributions to country music, both as a solo artist and with the Cherokee Cowboys, left an indelible mark on the genre and continue to inspire musicians to this day.
The first release/single off of the album is "Kissing Your Picture (Is So Cold)" and you can listen to it below.
