#MusicInspires Ray Charles, known as “the genius of soul,” grew up listening to country music.
In 2019, Museum historian Michael Gray moderated a panel — featuring John Burk, Concord Records president and producer of Charles’s album “Genius Loves Company”; Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and musician SHANNON SANDERS; and country artist Travis Tritt, who idolized Charles and collaborated with him on an episode of “CMT Crossroads ” — about Charles’s impact on country music.
“Once I became aware of how much soul that Ray Charles brought into the country world, it opened up a whole new world for me,” said Tritt.
Watch a clip from that program here, and visit our Watch & Listen page to see more: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/videos