Ray Price was a phenomenal performer and tireless ambassador of country music. The iconic superstar died Dec. 16, 2013, just after he finished recording "Beauty Is...the final sessions."
And with the dawning of 2015, Price's legacy keeps moving forward. There is a new single from his highly-acclaimed final album, one of his classic songs continues to be featured on ESPN and the singer is the subject of a TV special, according to a press release.
The second single from "Beauty Is...the final sessions" is the Sonny Throckmorton-penned classic, "I Wish I Was 18 Again." Previously a Top 40 hit for the inimitable George Burns, the song is given new life--and creative insight--by Price's impressive interpretation.
While "I Wish I Was 18 Again" is making its mark at country radio, another Price song continues to make its mark on ESPN. Price's signature song--"For the Good Times"--provides the soundtrack for the College Football Playoff ads airing now on the sports network.
On Friday, Jan. 9, Price will be remembered by a TV special-- "Country's Family Reunion Tribute To Ray Price" will air on RFD-TV.
Best known for his rendition of Kris Kristofferson smash "For The Good Times," Price had nine No. 1 singles and 46 Top 10 hits. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Ray enjoyed gold and platinum album sales, won two Grammys, took home a CMA trophy, earned two ACM awards--and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"Beauty Is...the final sessions" garnered a unique Honorable Mention on Billboard.com's The 10 Best Country Albums of 2014 list and grabbed the No. 1 spot on TheNashvilleBridge.com's Top 10 Albums list. The disc debuted at No. 22 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, giving Price his highest solo appearance on that chart in over three decades. Additionally, his duet on the album with Martina McBride on "An Affair To Remember" scored as No. 8 on the Hotdisc International Chart's Top 30 Most Popular Songs of 2014 list after three consecutive weeks at No.1.
"It amazes me," notes Janie Price of the media attention her late husband continues to command. "Ray passed away a little over a year ago, and folks still love hearing him sing. He'd be so proud."
