(ThyBlackMan.com) Ray Charles, affectionately known as Brother Ray, is one of the most influential musicians of all time. His ability to seamlessly blend blues, jazz, gospel, country, and R&B into an ...

Charles began dabbling in music at 3, encouraged by a cafe owner who played the piano. The knowledge was basic, but it made him more prepared for music classes when he was sent away, heartbroken, to ...

Of all the important American roots music — jazz, blues, country, soul — the least well known is surely gospel. The market for songs about sex, romance, break-ups, good times and dancing is and has ...