Influence

Ray Charles belonged to a pioneering generation of artists that had a huge ingluence on the course of rock and pop music. He will be forever remembered for his style of soul music. Thestyle of his music helped integrate country and pop music with the fusing of rhythm and blues, band gospel into his early recordings. People consider Ray Charles as the father of soul music.

In April 24, 1979, his song "Georgia on my Mind" became the state song of Georgia. Ray Charles influenced many great artist to do there music on something like to do. Also, he supported Martin Luther King, Jr. over americans civil rights. He appeared at two presidential inaugurations becuase of musical influences. Charles was at Bill Clinton's and Ronald Reagan's inaugurations.

Matthew Mitchell