This fall, Ray Charles will be making appearances in retail stores throughout the country. Well, not the man himself, but an animatronic likeness.
The Ray Charles Animatronic Doll will hit stores in September, and it will be full of robotic swing and soul. Produced by JTR Entertainment of Oak Lawn, Ill., the doll sings two songs-Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful” and his original composition “What’d I Say.” Its lips and body move to the music.
The doll will be supported by a national promotion and public relations campaign, and will sell for a suggested price of $32.95. A website, www.raycharlesdoll.com, is currently under construction.
The real Ray is preparing to make some appearances himself. The 71-year-old is touring throughout most of this year in support of his latest album, Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again (Vanguard).
07/17/02 Cleveland Heights, OH–Cain Park
07/19/02 Vevay, IN–Belterra Casino & Resort
07/20/02 Vevay, IN–Belterra Casino & Resort
07/21/02 Detroit, MI–Chene Park
07/26/02 Northampton, MA–Calvin Theater
07/27/02 Ocean Grove, NJ–Great Auditorium
07/29/02 Portland, ME–Merrill Auditorium
07/31/02 Syracuse, NY–Syracuse University
08/02/02 Atlantic City, NJ–Trump Plaza
08/03/02 Atlantic City, NJ–Trump Plaza
08/04/02 Oyster Bay, NY–Planting Fields
08/07/02 New York, NY–Beacon Theatre
08/09/02 Dover, DE–Dover Down Slots
08/10/02 Dover, DE–Dover Down Slots
08/11/02 Philadelphia, PA–Mann Center
08/19/02 San Diego, CA–Humphrey’s
08/20/02 Phoenix, AZ–Celebrity Theatre
08/22/02 Livermore, CA–Wente Concerts At The Vineyard
08/23/02 Saratoga, CA–Historic Mountain Winery
08/24/02 Sacramento, CA–Radisson Hotel
08/25/02 San Rafael, CA–Marin Veteran’s Aud.
08/27/02 Kelseyville, CA–Konocti Harbor Resort
08/28/02 Jacksonville, OR–Britt Festivals @ Britt Pavilion
08/29/02 Portland, OR–Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
09/12/02 Seattle, WA–Benaroya Hall
09/15/02 Fort Collins, CO–Lincoln Center
09/16/02 Fort Collins, CO–Lincoln Center
09/17/02 Fort Collins, CO–Lincoln Center
09/18/02 Fort Collins, CO–Lincoln Center
09/20/02 Fort Collins, CO–Lincoln Center
09/21/02 Greeley, CO–Civic Center
09/22/02 Greeley, CO–Civic Center
09/29/02 Kelseyville, CA–Konocti Harbor Resort
10/02/02 Fresno, CA–Big Fresno Fair
10/04/02 Anaheim, CA–The Grove Of Anaheim
10/27/02 Rochester, NY–Eastman Theatre
11/07/02 St. Etienne, FRA–Palais des Spectacles
11/11/02 Paris, FRA–Palais De Congress
11/27/02 Mannheim, GER–To Be Announced
11/28/02 Geneva, SWI–To Be Announced
