It was just last week that I was recalling to someone my memory of my Ray Price experience from a number of years ago. I looked up to see if Mr. Price was still alive, and was glad to see he was. I read today that the world lost him yesterday.
In 2003, I was a stagehand and lighting designer/operator working at an area casino. I knew that he was old, but that was about it. I didn’t really have any expectations of the two shows he was set to do, but it wasn’t long in to the first show that I knew I was experiencing something special.
Today I don’t recall a lot about the shows. What has stuck with me though is that he was 77 years old and still touring. If that weren’t enough, when I look back at all the performers who came through there, he outperformed a fair share of them, including some of the big name ones who were half his age.
I understand that even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, he still wanted to do a hundred shows this year. I think that is amazing.
So here’s an encore for, and from, Mr. Price, recorded live from one of those shows in 2003.
For The Good Times by Ray Price