Change the name of Shady Avenue in Brownsville, PA to Ray Charles Boulevard

In 1958, Ray Charles and The Raelettes were playing at the Lennox Club, which was located on Shady Avenue in Brownsville. Finishing their set early, Ray realized that there was still some time to kill. Ray turned to the band and backup singers and told them to follow him. What happened next was musical history. Ray began to play a driving tune and the band joined in along with The Raelettes. The crowd rose to their feet and danced and cheered. The song was received so well that Ray decided to record it. In 1959, the song, now titled "What'd I Say" was released. The song rose to #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ray received his first gold record for "What'd I Say" so arguably it put Ray Charles on the map. It all started in a long-gone club located on a street without the best reputation. Brownsville needs to embrace its part in the history of soul and R&B music, so I'm proposing changing the name of Shady Avenue to Ray Charles Boulevard. 

-Ron Barry 

Ron Barry    Contact the author of the petition