One+of+the+Best

Ray Charles Robinson wasn't always the man we will remember him for. Just like everyone else he started out small and fought his way to the top. Although odds where against him and times where tough, his father not always being around and the the great depression taking place, he still managed to find his place in the world doing what he loves, playing music. He first found interest in his music around the age three. His interest later led him to go to a fine musical school for the blind. There he learned the fundamentals up till his mothers death. After he would start his career in music.

Charles made his first recordings around 1947, and soon after made his first recording contract in 1949. Him and his trio Mcson would later go on to to create the song Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand, one of his better songs in my opinion, which hit the U.S. R&B charts. That wouldn't be his last success though he later produced the song //**I Got A Woman**// which amazingly hit #1 on the R&B charts in 1955! This song sparked a whole new style of music which would later be called soul. His creative style of music would lead him to fame and the title "**The Genius**". It also helped that he had many musical talents in the piano, vocals, reed instruments, as well as his songwriting. Through his entire career success always seemed around the corner. He produced a huge variety of songs combining jazz, gospel, riff, and many other styles. Exploring musical harmony was his passion and is what made him famous his inclination to find the beauty of two genres and put them together to create a song which would flow off the tongue like honey and change your perspective of life.

I could mention many of his top hits like **//What'd I say//** and **//Let the Good Times Roll//**, but the list goes on forever. He was able to achieve a Grammy for his song **//Hit the R//****//oad Jack//**. Ray Charles never stopped exploring the possibilities. At one point he even found himself doing western music which many believe would end his career. He played rolls in commercials as well as T.V. shows. His successes never seemed to end winning him a large number of awards such as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Although his successes where great they where all rightfully earned through hard work and dedication. His struggles did not keep him from birthing a new era of music and culture in America.