Country's Family Reunion pays tribute to Ray Price

Ray Price - via his Facebook Page

Ray Price brought us songs like “City Lights,” “Release Me,” “Crazy Arms,” “Heartaches By The Number,” “For the Good Times,” “Night Life,” and the list goes on. He helped to pioneer Nashville’s ‘honky-tonk’ sound; and he left an undying legacy on music with his inimitable wide-ranging baritone voice. Ray Price, country music legend, may have passed away on December 16, 2013, but his legacy lives on in so many ways in country music and beyond. Now, Country’s Family Reunion celebrates his life through the series special, A Tribute To Ray Price.

Tune in throughout July to RFD-TV to watch Janie Price, Ray’s beloved widow, join Bill “Whisperin’ Bill” Anderson and a long list of Ray’s closest friends, band members and fellow country music peers to pay tribute to his songs, life and legacy.

Viewers will be treated to performances by artists such as Moe Bandy, the late Jim Ed Brown, T. Graham Brown, Johnny Bush, Roy Clark, John Conlee, Linda Davis, Janie Fricke, Larry Gatlin, Teea Goans, Wade Hayes, Jan Howard, Tracy Lawrence, Jim Lauderdale, Johnny Lee, Darrell McCall, Dean Miller, Ray Pillow, Mo Pitney, Curtis Potter, Jeannie Seely, and Gene Watson.

Upcoming Airdates:

*Premiere episode airtimes are 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT

July 10 | Jim Lauderdale, Gene Watson, Wade Hayes, Linda Davis, Curtis Potter, Tracy Lawrence

July 17 | Ray Pillow, Roy Clark, Johnny Bush, Janie Fricke, T. Graham Brown, Teea Goans

July 24 | Johnny Lee, Moe Bandy, David Ball, Jim Ed Brown, Mo Pitney, Jan Howard, John Conlee and Johnny Bush

July 31 | Darrell McCall, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Dean Miller and Ray Price

*Additional airdates can be found by visiting rfdtv.com.

Country’s Family Reunion airs at 8 p.m. ET on Fridays and 12 a.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays. Fans can purchase an exclusive, personal copy of the entire A Tribute To Ray Price series on DVD by visiting cfrvideos.com or by calling 800-820-5405.

Is Blake Shelton disconnected to what country music is?

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is no stranger to controversy when it comes to speaking his mind. However, he has ruffled feathers among the country music community over some recent comments about fans of the music.

During an episode of Great American Country's "Backstory," Blake Shelton says, "If I am “Male Vocalist of the Year” that must mean that I’m one of those people now that gets to decide if it moves forward and if it moves on. Country music has to evolve in order to survive. Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music. And I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, 'My God, that ain’t country!' Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jacka--. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying."

The irony of the statement is that Blake Shelton has been known to sing classic country songs in his set list, including "Redneck Girl" by the Bellamy Brothers. He also name checks Conway Twitty during his song "Hillbilly Bone."

One country music legend didn't take the comments lightly and posted on his Facebook page. Grand Ole Opry star Ray Price posted in response to Blake Shelton's comments.

Ray Price

It's a shame that I have spend 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God's answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF "OLD FART" & JACKA--") " P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED." - Ray Price

Country music has had many influences over the years. However, it seems as though that remain strong are those that fall back on the classic country influence.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Blake Shelton or Ray Price? Should country music move away from its roots or continue to honor its past?