Ray Charles' Final Recording, GENIUS LOVES COMPANY, Wins Eight GRAMMY Awards for First-Time Collaborators Concord Records and Starbucks Hear Music

Business Wire, Feb 14, 2005

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Awards Include Best Album of the Year and Best Record of the Year ("Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones)

Ray Charles' final recording, the triple-platinum Genius Loves Company (www.geniuslovescompany.com), captured the hearts of GRAMMY(R) voters at last night's 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles, taking home eight Awards, including Best Album of the Year and Best Record of the Year ("Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones).

Genius Loves Company is the best selling recording of Charles' more than 50-year career.

An innovative collaboration between Concord Records and Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX) Hear Music(TM), the album features newly recorded duet performances with such world-renowned artists as Natalie Cole, Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor.

Additional GRAMMY Awards bestowed upon Ray and the CD include: Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Vocal Collaboration ("Here We Go Again"), Best Gospel Performance ("Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight), Best Surround Sound Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompany Vocalist(s) "Over The Rainbow" (Victor Vanacore).

"We love you Ray and I wish you were here for all the attention," said his manager, Joe Adams, as he accepted the singer's award.

Genius Loves Company has been certified Gold, Silver and multi-Platinum across North America, Europe and beyond since its September 2004 release. The album was produced by John Burk, Concord Records executive vice president, who spent over a year working closely with Charles on the project before the music legend's passing in June. He says, "Ray Charles was a true American icon, and Concord Records will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to work with him so closely on this recording. The album's success is a true testament to his genius, as well as the extraordinary talents of everyone involved with the project."

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Phil Ramone produced five of the CD's tracks.

"Everyone at Starbucks Hear Music feels a strong emotional connection to Genius Loves Company," said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment. "We truly appreciate the recognition the Recording Academy has given this album and are thrilled by the amazing response the public has shown to this project."

To date, Genius Loves Company has sold in excess of two million copies in the United States, where the album's success was due in part to the unique distribution and marketing relationship between Concord Records and Starbucks Hear Music. Starbucks stores have sold more than 580,000 of the units of Genius Loves Company, which includes sales of a special holiday box set.

During his lifetime, Charles received 12 GRAMMY(R) Awards, all of which have been restored. About his music, the "Genius" once said: "I never considered myself part of rock 'n' roll. My stuff was more adult. It was more difficult for teenagers to relate to."

In 1987, Charles received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). Last year, NARAS President Neil Portnow presented him with the President's Merit Award at Ray Charles' long-time offices and studios in central Los Angeles. The facility, which was built in 1960, was recently designated an historical landmark by the city. It is the future site of a Ray Charles Museum. Charles was also a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal of the Arts.

The legacy of Ray Charles remains omnipresent nearly eight months after his passing. In addition to his GRAMMY accolades, actor Jamie Foxx is nominated for an Academy(R) Award for his portrayal of the music legend in "Ray." The movie, which opened in October 2004, has topped nearly $70 million at the U.S. box office. Sales of the DVD of the movie sailed past $44 million on its first day of release, and the soundtrack has now sold in excess of one million copies. An exhibit of Charles' memorabilia opened at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland over Thanksgiving, 2004.

Interview Opportunities

Joe Adams, as well as Concord and Starbucks executives, will be available for print, radio and on-camera interviews on Monday, February 14.