The idea of a country duets album had been brewing in Ray for a long time. For this album, he came to Nashville to record and Columbia gave him veteran country producer Billy Sherrill. The top Nashville players were recruited and found themselves star struck at the opportunity to play on a Ray Charles session. Ray was having a ball singing with country legends Merle Haggard, George Jones and Willie Nelson (who went on to become one of Ray’s best friends). From the press and the fans reaction, and the participants themselves, they knew they’d created a masterpiece. Friendship shot up to #1 on the country album charts and spun off four Top 20 country singles including a #1 hit with Ray and Willie on “Seven Spanish Angels.”

Tracks

Two Old Cats Like Us w/Hank Williams Jr.
This Old Heart (Is Gonna Rise Again) w/Oak Ridge Boys
We Didn’t See A Thing w/George Jones and Chet Atkins
Who Cares w/Janie Fricke
Rock And Roll Shoes w/B.J. Thomas
Friendship w/Ricky Skaggs
It Ain’t Gonna Worry My Mind w/Mickey Gilley
Little Hotel Room w/Merle Haggard
Crazy Old Soldier w/Johnny Cash
Seven Spanish Angels w/Willie Nelson