Ray Charles

Many times during auditions, I was told that I couldn’t carry a note with a bucket, and that I sure couldn’t play the piano.

Ray Charles

Music is about the only thing left that people don’t fight over.

Ray Charles

Music is the chalk to the blackboard of life. Without it everything is a blank slate.

Ray Charles

People couldn’t understand why my mama would have this blind kid out doing things like cutting wood for the fire. But her thing was: He may be blind, but he ain’t stupid.

Ray Charles

The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.

Ray Charles

The role of the designer is basically that of a good host, anticipating the needs of the guest.

Ray Charles

There’s such a thing as too much happiness and sadness. What I’m after is contentment.

Ray Charles

To me, music is entertainment – what else can it be? In fact, it’s the only language I know of that’s universal.

Ray Charles

What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.

Ray Charles

What makes my approach special is that I do different things. I do jazz, blues, country music and so forth. I do them all, like a good utility man.

Ray Charles