Ray Charles born as Ray Charles Robinson changed his name to only Ray Charles

because he did not want to become confused with Sugar Ray Robinson, the boxer. PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

Throughout his years Ray Charles acquired many personal accomplishments. Several of his personal accomplishments were:

1. Becoming a role model for the blind by proving that having a disability does not mean that one cannot have a successful career

2. Black music was restricted in some areas however Ray Charles was known as a “cross-over” artist where his songs gained popularity with the white audience

3. Overcame his heroin addiction 4. Being able to play the piano and alto saxophone even though he was blind and

could not read regular sheet music 5. An avid reader 6. Medal of Arts presented to him by President Bill Clinton 7. Medallion cast in his honor by the people of France 8. Combined jazz, country, rhythm & blues, and gospel in his music 9. Performed his 10,000 concert and 10. Several of his studios were declared as an historic landmark. Ray Charles’

Enterprises opened in 1962. 11. Appearing on several television shows such as Saturday Night Live, Who’s the

Boss and St. Elsewhere 12. Wrote over 60 songs 13. Influenced others such as Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, and Loretta Lynn 14. Formed the Robinson Foundation for hearing disorders

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Ray Charles accomplishments do not end here. In addition to his personal achievements, he also obtained numerous professional ones:

1. Won 12 Grammys 2. Four times Oscar nominee 3. One of his songs “Georgia On My Mind” became Georgia’s official song 4. NAACP Hall of Fame award 5. Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 6. Single “Swanee River” became first R&B song to cross-over into the Pop

category 7. A star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 8. Life Time Awards from the Blues Foundation, The Rhythm & Blues Hall of

Fame, The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame 9. Album topped billboard charts for 14 weeks 10. Recorded many commercials including one of the most popular and memorable

his Diet Pepsi commercial “You Got The Right One Baby Uh-Huh”

BREA C GORDON Tuesday, March 8, 2011 12:27:39 AM ET

11. Not only was he an avid piano player, he was a singer, composer, bandleader and a leading black entertainer.

What made all of Ray Charles’ accomplishments possible was the influence that he

received from his mother. She encouraged him and instilled perseverance in him. She taught him never to give up on his dreams or making the choice to the right things. She instilled integrity, strength and self-control, which are some of the things she told Ray that he would need to have in life to become successful. When Ray was asked what does “soul” mean? His response was, “It’s a force that can light a room. The force radiates from a sense of self hood, a sense of knowing where you’ve been and what it means. Soul is a way of life – but it’s always the hard way.”

Ray Charles was known for his trademark wrap around glasses. He made an

impression through music crossing into multiple genres and racial background of which he found success in each. His life was filled with several outstanding achievements and awards; Ray Charles a multitalented blind musician.

BREA C GORDON Tuesday, March 8, 2011 12:27:39 AM ET