Hidden History Behind “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles

Ray Charles was and remains a staple of American soul music. The pianist penned multiple iconic tracks throughout the decades, dating back to 1945. In the 1950s, Ray Charles pioneered soul music, mixing soul with elements of R&B, jazz, blues, and, controversially, gospel. Charles was a risk-taker, and his career showed that. It’s well known too, as his life was portrayed in the 2003 film Ray, starring Jamie Foxx. The film is considered one of the greatest biopics of all time.

What the film captured is an event that is often forgotten. Ray Charles came from the southern state of Georgia. In 1960, Charles gracefully covered the classic “Georgia On My Mind.” The song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell in 1930. Charles version of the song hit No. 1 in 1960, becoming his first of three No. 1 hits.

In March 1961, Ray Charles was scheduled to perform at Bell Auditorium in Augusta, Georgia. The venue was strictly segregated, and protestors were lined up outside. In a surprise move, Charles backed out of performing at the last minute in solidarity. It was a sold-out show, and concert promoters sued Charles for breach of contract. Following this, Charles was blackballed from performing in his own home state, while simultaneously, he refused to return to the state. Although he was never officially banned from the state, he wasn’t welcomed back during the height of the civil rights movement.

The State of Georgia Issues An Apology

On March 7, 1979, the state of George issued an official apology to Ray Charles. By then, Charles had performed in Georgia once again, though tension still lingered. The state of Georgia then adopted his version of “Georgia On My Mind” as the official state song. It was a strategic move by the state to reconnect with one of its greatest musicians. Ray Charles once again felt a connection to his home state and was properly recognized. Ultimately, “George On My Mind” remains one of Ray Charles’ timeless classics and is still the official song of the state of Georgia.

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns