28 Albums From Ray Charles' Iconic Catalog To Be Released Digitally For The First Time Ever On April 7, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ By Cary Baker/ Conqueroo Music) - One of the most anticipated song collections among digital music buyers, Ray Charles' post-1960 catalog will finally go digital for the first time ever. Beginning April 7th, iTunes will hold a two-week exclusive on the cherished catalog, after which time it will be offered at all digital music outlets. Ray Charles' post 1960 catalog had been one of the most treasured and highly requested catalogs that continued to be unavailable digitally. These masters include such iconic recordings as 'Georgia On My Mind,' I Can't Stop Loving You,' 'Hit the Road Jack,' 'Busted' and 'Crying Time' among many others.

"Ray Charles was a trailblazer and innovator in his music and the business of music. I am pleased Ray's songs are now available in all current formats. Concord enables the legacy to endure and prosper," said Valerie Ervin, President of the Ray Charles Foundation.

The move follows Concord Music Group's recent announcement that it has entered into an exclusive arrangement with the Ray Charles Foundation to develop the artist's post-1960 catalog. On April 7th, Concord Records will also release a 21-song anthology of hits titled Ray Charles - Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection. The volume presents Charles' most influential recordings for the Atlantic and ABC-Paramount labels including 1954's 'I've Got a Woman' plus 'Busted,' 'Georgia on My Mind,' 'Hit the Road Jack' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You,' concluding with his signature 1972 rendition of 'America the Beautiful.' All are digitally remastered from the original tapes. Ray Charles - Genius: The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection will be available wherever music is sold.

Concord will release several other Ray Charles reissues this year including Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2, The Genius Hits the Road, A Message From the People and Genius + Soul = Jazz & More.