Ray Charles Ray Charles was the stage name of Ray Charles Robinson, born September 23rd 1930. He was a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues and brought a soulful sound to everything from country music to pop standards, to a now-famous rendition of “America the Beautiful”. “Frank Sinatra” called him "the only genius in the business". Besides winning literally dozens of Grammy Awards in his amazing career, Charles was honored with many other accolades. In 1976, he was one of the first recipients of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state, a good three years before his version of "Georgia on My Mind" was made into the official state song. In 1981, he was given a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986. In 1991, he was given an induction to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation and in 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame. In August 2005, the United States Congress honored Charles by renaming the former West Adams Station post office in Los Angeles the "Ray Charles Station”. Many of today's artists continue to honor the legacy of Charles and the 2005 Grammy Awards were dedicated to him.