Sunday, December 15, 2013

Ray Price Update

Category:  News

Earlier today (12/15) it was reported by numerous reputable media outlets that Ray Price had reached the end of his struggle with pancreatic cancer.  Tributes quickly appeared.  I even posted the obituary I had prepared here.

Ray's wife, Janie, took to the "Willie's Roadhouse" Sirius/XM station to refute the reports.  Price is "fading fast," she told legendary DJ Bill Mack, but he is still alive.  She further stated on her Facebook page that friends such as Willie Nelson, Larry Gatlin and Johnny Bush had called Price's home and sent their love to him as she held the phone to his ear.

Here is the most recent update this evening from Mack, who has been named by the Price family as the official "go-to" source once the inevitable happens:

Just another input at 8:00 PM, Central: Ray is still alive, thank God. Many of you have apologized for forwarding news of his "passing". Don't feel foolish or idiotic! Many announcements were made of Ray's death by various important avenues in the media because they had received the false information. It is very normal to "forward or "post" such news. It was just another bit of evidence that you love Ray and his music! Janie and the family are grateful for your precious love and concern. I'll continue to post you on any "changes". Thank you for being there. You'll never realize your value.

If one good thing has come from this incorrect announcement, it is the fact that the premature postings of tributes and the outpouring of sympathy have let Janie Price know exactly how loved, respected and admired Ray Price is, and how much his music means to people.  Hopefully she has relayed those sentiments to him.

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