Patience Essah Africana Studies Lecture Series
African American Covers of Country Music BEFORE Ray Charles: Prevalence and Significance
Dr. Tim Dodge, Reference Librarian, History and Political Science Subject Specialist, Auburn University Libraries
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Ground Floor Auditorium, Ralph Brown Draughon Library
Ray Charles's 1962 release of his "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" L.P. is considered a milestone and is regarded as the first successful attempt of an African American artist to record music that was first recorded by a Country artist. However, it turns out that Charles was by no means the first African American artist to have done so. Tim Dodge will provide a historical overview of the phenomenon and will explore both the prevalence and significance of this recording activity. Brief musical examples will be provided to help illustrate this little-known aspect of African American recording history.
Sponsored by: Auburn University Libraries and the Auburn University Office of Inclusion and Diversity.