Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004) commonly known by the name Ray Charles, is an artist, blind American singer. He brings to mind the tone for country music and pop music through song as well as the re-Modern Sounds products song "America the Beautiful" that Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes called the "definition version of the song , a national anthem, a classic - classic as the man expressed it. "He also appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers. Frank Sinatra called him "the only real genius in the profession"

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine voted Ray Charles at number ten in the list of 100 greatest artists of all time and elected him in second place in the list of 100 greatest singers of all time in November 2008