News You Can Use 8/14/22

On this Sunday’s edition of News You Can Use on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 at 5:30a and 9:00a,host Ann Baldwin and co-host Lisa Nkonoki speak with none other than Ray Charles Jr., Awardwinning film producer, author and son of the iconic musician, Mr. Ray Charles, “The Genius”.Ray joins the show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Ray, a film that remains in the top 10Biopics of all times, and a movie that Ray Jr, originally optioned, co-produced and selectedJamie Foxx to star in and Taylor Hackford to direct. Ray Jr. shares personal anecdotes ofgrowing up the son of a prodigy, some of his fathers famous and closest friends, includingQuincy Jones, WIllie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, and Clint Eastwood,just to name a few. Ray Jr speaks about his award winning book,You Don’t Know Me, Reflections of My Father Ray Charles andshares a few funny stories about his fathers personality at homeand how he literally would drive their family car and private Lear Jet!Ray shares fond memories of his mother, Della Beatrice HowardRobinson, who recently passed away just shy of her 93rd birthday inJune, and her contributions to their family and the community. DellaB was a famous gospel singer before meeting, and marrying his dadin Texas.Della B, was a committed wife, mother and business partner to RayCharles, as portrayed by actress Kerry Washington, in the movie Ray, and was an avid spiritual,community and political supporter who was honored by the Los Angeles City Council and inCongress by Congresswoman Karen Bass for her lifetime of volunteering and opening herhome to the community.Ray Jr is a newlywed, father to 2 beautiful adult daughters, stepfather to 3 and grandfather to 4amazing kids. To hear more on the life of Ray Charles Jr., tune in to this edition of News YouCan Use on WTIC NewsTalk 1080.