A WETA co-production presents a White House concert featuring interpretations of the popular music of iconic singer, songwriter, composer and musician Ray Charles, who won 17 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors among other accolades, this Friday, February 26 at 9pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.
Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House will feature performances by Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, Sam Moore, Andrea Day, Brittany Howard, Demi Lovato, Jussie Smollett, Usher and more.
In tandem with this program, the Smithsonian is producing digital resources that will explore Charles' life and legacy; and a National Museum of American History exhibition will also spotlight the performer.
In Performance at the White House is an occasional series featuring concerts from the nation's capital that, over the years, has showcased performers as diverse as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Elvis Costello and Steve Martin.
As Nancy Reagan noted in the first program, "With the participation of public television, the East Room becomes a concert hall for the entire nation."
Be sure to tune into WETA TV26 or WETA HD tomorrow night at 9 p.m. to celebrate the life and music of Ray Charles with In Performance at the White House.
