Ray Charles Won’t Cross Springs Picket Line

Legendary bluesman Ray Charles has cancelled an appearance in Colorado Springs this weekend, citing the presence of the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra, which was sponsoring the event, on the “Unfair List” of the musicians’ union. Charles is a longtime union stalwart who appeared on the cover of a recent issue of the national union’s monthly newspaper. The CSSO is in the midst of an acrimonious dispute with its musicians over the future of the organization. The two sides are hoping to agree to third-party mediation in the near future.