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Everyone felt like they knew Ray Charles and in a way they did, because he was embodied by his music.

Ray Charles has always been a big part of my life.

Who isn't a fan of Ray Charles?

I grew up singing Ray Charles and Jimmy Reed.

Give it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you, Ray Charles, for living.

I'm proud of my mentors. Ray Charles is the strongest influence on me as a singer.

My dad has always been a big Ray Charles fan, and I've grown up listening to all kinds of music.

Ray Charles' revolutionary approach to music was also reflected in his politics and his deep and abiding commitment to Martin Luther King and the plight of African-Americans. Ray Charles may not have been on the front lines, but he put his money where his mouth was.

Ray had so much love of life and the music. He had so much integrity. He treated the music with so much dignity and respect. I spent four and a half years as a sideman with Ray Brown's trio. Music was his life, more so than anyone I could mention.

I saw Ray Charles at Massey Hall.