ray

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.

Drama ꞏ Music ꞏ blindness and impaired vision ꞏ country music ꞏ jazz ꞏ loss of loved one ꞏ black people ꞏ overdose ꞏ bus ride ꞏ georgia ꞏ record producer ꞏ biography ꞏ rags to riches ꞏ childhood trauma ꞏ gospel ꞏ indianapolis ꞏ record label ꞏ recording studio ꞏ pianist ꞏ usa history