Ray Charles, 1931-2004

Because, ah them that's got (yeah) are them that gets
And I tell you all I ain't got nothin' yet

"The Genius" is dead at 73.

Ray Charles was the prototype "crossover artist," mixing gospel, blues, country, swing, and jazz to create some of the greatest songs (at least when he performed them) in American music.

And "The Genius" label applied to more than his music. He was one of the first African-American artists to negotiate recording contracts that stated that he owned his music and also one of the first to build his own recording studio -- total control.

And "I've Got A Woman" is still one of the coolest songs ever recorded. And this one's one of my all-time favorites.