Forever Ray is a Ray Charles tribute anchored by a genuine original-source credential: it features Angela Workman, a former Ray Charles Raelette, alongside Shulton Whitley as the voice of “the Genius.” Backed by a band whose members have performed with Ray Charles himself and a who’s-who of legends from Prince to Stevie Wonder, Forever Ray plays to sell-out audiences from the Blue Note in New York to performing arts centers and casinos.
The credential that sets Forever Ray apart is real: vocalist Angela Workman is a former Raelette, a member of Ray Charles’ own backing group. Very few tributes to any artist can put an original-source performer on stage, and it changes the show. The harmonies and the feel come from someone who actually stood beside Ray Charles, which is authenticity no lookalike act can match.
The pedigree runs deep. Members of Forever Ray have performed or recorded with Ray Charles himself, along with Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys, and the Harlem Gospel Choir. This is a band of working professionals at the highest level, and it shows in the musicianship.
Fronting the show is Shulton Whitley as the voice of Ray Charles, delivering the rasp, the phrasing, and the joy that made Charles unmistakable. Alongside additional vocalists, including a singer from the Harlem Gospel Choir, the show captures the full gospel-soul sound rather than a thin imitation of it.
Ray Charles was one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, the artist who fused gospel, blues, jazz, and country into soul. Forever Ray performs that catalog, from Georgia on My Mind to What’d I Say, with the reverence and the fire it deserves.
Forever Ray performs to sell-out audiences across the New York metropolitan area and beyond, with a venue history that spans the Blue Note in New York, performing arts centers such as the Shea Center at William Paterson University, the Suffolk Theater, the Jazz Forum, and casino stages including Empire City Casino. The act is a frequent choice for cultural and Black History Month programming, where its authenticity and musicianship make it a standout booking.
Forever Ray can be configured for the room and the occasion.
A Forever Ray performance draws from across the Ray Charles catalog. A representative set can include:
Ray Charles was born in Georgia in 1930 and lost his sight as a child, going on to become one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Known as the Genius, he effectively invented soul music by fusing gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, blues, and country, and his catalog, from Georgia on My Mind to What’d I Say and Hit the Road Jack, reshaped American popular music. He was one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a multiple Grammy winner, and his influence echoes through generations of rock and soul singers.
Forever Ray is a tribute built to honor that legacy with genuine authority. Fronted by Shulton Whitley as the voice of Ray Charles and featuring former Ray Charles Raelette Angela Workman, along with vocalist Chyna Grant of the Harlem Gospel Choir and additional singers, the show is backed by a band of seasoned professionals whose credits include Ray Charles and a long list of legends. The result is a concert-caliber tribute that has earned sell-out crowds across the New York region and beyond.
The timing gives the show real meaning. Ray Charles passed away in 2004, which means audiences can no longer see the Genius perform, and a tribute anchored by an actual member of his backing group is the closest they can come to that experience. With his music as beloved as ever and cultural programming in strong demand, Forever Ray gives theaters, casinos, and festivals an authentic, high-caliber way to celebrate one of the true giants of American music.
While this is our top Ray Charles tribute act, TSE Entertainment works with a range of high-quality Ray Charles tributes nationwide.
That means you are not locked into a single option. We help match the right act to your event based on practical factors that actually affect success.
We have booked hundreds of tribute acts nationwide, and every option we recommend is vetted and event-proven. If Forever Ray is not the perfect fit, we will quickly suggest comparable options that are.
Pricing for Forever Ray depends on date, location, routing, and whether you book the full concert production or a shorter festival or showroom set. TSE Entertainment handles the booking, contracting, and logistics end to end. For current availability and a quote tailored to your event, contact TSE’s booking team at 800-765-8203.
Forever Ray features Angela Workman, a former Ray Charles Raelette who sang in his own backing group, along with musicians who have performed with Ray Charles himself. That original-source pedigree is rare among tributes.
The show is fronted by Shulton Whitley as the voice of Ray Charles, with former Raelette Angela Workman, vocalist Chyna Grant of the Harlem Gospel Choir, additional singers, and a full live band.
The act fits theaters, performing arts centers, jazz clubs, casino showrooms, fairs, and cultural or Black History Month programming, with a concert-caliber show for seated, multigenerational audiences.
Yes. The act is an established choice for Black History Month and cultural series, where its authenticity and musicianship make it a natural centerpiece.
No. Ray Charles passed away in 2004, and Forever Ray is an independent tribute that honors his music. TSE Entertainment books tribute and touring acts, and the show is performed by the Forever Ray ensemble.
Contact TSE Entertainment at 800-765-8203. TSE handles availability, contracting, and logistics, and will match the right format to your venue and date.
Ready to bring the music of the Genius to your stage? TSE Entertainment has more than 50 years of experience placing tribute and touring acts for fairs, festivals, theaters, casinos, and cultural programming. Call our booking team at 800-765-8203 to check availability for Forever Ray and get a quote tailored to your event.
