I know I am ADD, and sometimes, I feel an OCD tendency here and there. One of those tendencies is to make lists. Not hard and fast lists, but just spur of the moment lists. There are some lists that I have had as long as I can remember. One of those lists was my list of all time cool cats.

We lost the third one on my list this month.

The list goes:
1. Dean Martin
2. Nat King Cole
3. Ray Charles

Yes, I did say “all time cool cats” so we have to backtrack a bit.

There was something unsettling seeing the last of my guys leave the list. I first remember Ray Charles when I was a kid. It was before I understood what blind meant, and before society taught me the difference between black and white. I just saw a guy bouncing around on a piano stool and rocking the hell out. Those songs followed me from that point to today.

I am not gonna bore you with the same biographical sketch that you have been hearing for the past several weeks, I will tell you who I thought Ray Charles was. He defined not only musical, but personal style. He was one of the few artists who was cool with your Grandpa, your Dad, and You. He added an insane amount of songs to the American songbook.

As with all of the top three on my list, I don't remember a time in my life when I was not incredibly aware of Mr. Charles's music. I don't remember a time where the entire country was not keenly aware of his music. During his multi generation career, we never saw him jump the shark.

I am gonna miss the guy.

Seeing that my top three are all missing in action, I am starting to garner mortal fear for the second three on the list. Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Willie Nelson should really take the time to get a quick checkup just to make sure there is no untimeliness around the bend.