Gainesville Rockers Pay Tribute to Forgotten Coast

            Charles Ray of Gainesville's 1960s-revival rock band "Charles Ray & The Righteous Kind" is a big fan of the Forgotten Coast; so much so that the band's debut album, ‘Some Are of Love,' features Forgotten Coast sites and sounds in its artwork and songs.

            The CD cover is by famed Apalachicola photographer Richard Bickel, and the artwork includes photos from Carrabelle Beach, Apalachicola, Mexico Beach and St. George Island.

            The Forgotten Coast is also featured in the songs, from the haunting, "All I Really Want," about a chance meeting of lovers on Mexico Beach, to the rocking beach-party number "Go, go, go!"

            "My wife and I have a love affair with The Forgotten Coast," said Ray. "We dig eating in Apalachicola, watching the fireworks on St. George Island, and relaxing on Mexico Beach. And running up the Apalachicola River. That's righteous!"

            The band plays all-original 1960s-inspired rock with influences by The Beatles, Spirit, and Sly and the Family Stone. A concept album, the ‘Some Are of Love' CD is like time travel to the 60s, capturing the passion, feel and love of that era.

            "The tendency in all revivalism is to miss the mark, but a good portion of their work seems as though it may have been done in the era," writes Kyle Mitchell of the Gainesville Sun.

            "Their music is influenced by the catchy pop sounds of The Beatles and the rhythm-heavy notes of The Rolling Stones," said Bailey Parke of The Independent Florida Alligator.

            There is also a ‘missing persons' aspect to the album. In June Ray stopped at Carrabelle Beach and photographed a young man playing soulful music on a beat-up gut-string guitar. That photo ended up on the CD label.

            "I sure wish I could find this cat, so I can give him a copy of the CD," said Ray.

            The band has a full fall schedule of shows in Gainesville, and is working on a tour through The Forgotten Coast. The CD will be on sale in shops throughout the area soon.

            You can learn more about the band at www.myspace.com/therighteouskind or contact Ray at charlesray67@gmail.com