Georgia On My Mind

In a deeply moving and soulful moment during the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay’s concert “Say My Name!”, held on March 22, 2025, at the Jaeb Theater at The Straz Center in Tampa, PJ Yarosh stepped into the spotlight to perform a stirring rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles. With understated grace and emotional resonance, Yarosh offered a performance that quieted the room and drew the audience into a contemplative, heartfelt space within an otherwise lively and theatrical evening.

Dressed simply and standing with quiet confidence, Yarosh’s vocals were smooth and intimate, evoking the timeless ache and longing that Ray Charles brought to the song in his legendary 1960 recording. Rather than mimic Charles, Yarosh channeled the song through his own lens—warm, expressive, and sincere—imbuing every phrase with personal emotion and a sense of deep connection to the music.

Within the context of “Say My Name!”, a concert that explored the intersections of identity, heritage, and the stories behind the names we carry, “Georgia On My Mind” took on layered meaning. It became more than a song of place; it was a meditation on memory, belonging, and the enduring pull of where we come from—whether that's a literal hometown or a metaphorical emotional landscape. Yarosh’s interpretation captured that essence, reminding the audience that our names, like the places in our hearts, are tied to longing, history, and love.

As the final notes faded into a reverent hush, there was a moment of stillness before the audience responded with heartfelt applause, a testament to Yarosh’s ability to create not just a performance, but an experience. It was one of the evening’s most soulful and introspective highlights—proof of the chorus’s range and the power of one voice to hold an entire theater in quiet awe.