In this week's installment of StoryCorps, Joe Hunter recalls meeting his wife, Trudy Cohran, during the 1970s when she was a back-up singer for Ray Charles.
Joe recalls meeting Trudy, a Raelette, while working at a concert in Detroit. He fell for her instantly, but it wasn't until several years later, when Joe became Ray Charles' road manager, that he got to make his move. They eventually married in 1994.
The couple now lives in Memphis, Tenn. Joe Hunter became a minister in 2003 and serves as a school mentor. Trudy Hunter teaches vocal music at Stax Music Academy. The two are currently raising their 10-year-old nephew, Andrew.
The StoryCorps Griot booth is currently in Montgomery, Ala. All the Griot Initiative recordings are archived at the Library of Congress. A copy of each interview will also go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
This segment was produced by Selly Thiam. Senior Producer for StoryCorps is Michael Garofalo.
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