The Ray Charles Memorial at Ray Charles Plaza in Albany, Georgia

Eric parks his bike in the
upper loop of the G Clef
at Ray Charles Plaza at
Riverfront Park.

A half note bench at the

base of the G Clef

The sun dappled quarter note

is at the top of the G Clef.

The statue of Ray Charles

playing the piano sits atop

 a fountain, surrounded

by a piano keyboard.

Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia.

The plaque at the memorial
includes a description
in Braille.







At the age of five, Ray Charles started to lose his vision and was blind by the time he was seven.  His music fused Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Pop and Country Music.  Fellow musicians referred to him as "The Genius."  Others called him "The Father of Soul."

Music wafts from nearby speakers.

Eric & I dance to

Georgia on My Mind.

Sections of the keyboard

Black keys are raised,

just as they are on

the piano.

Albany, Georgia honors the spirit of Ray Charles and his music in this beautiful setting above the Flint River.    

Just down the street is our next stop, The Flint RiverQuarium.