>> Ray Charles: [Jibberish]

This is America.

I don't give a damn what anybody tell you, this is America.

And I love it. So if somebody don't like something that I do,

that's his or her prerogative. Just like it's mine.

>> [Music continues]

>> Ray Charles: See my mom taught me a lot, man.

A lot about minding your own business

and leaving other people's business alone.

And let them think what they want. I mean I can't help

what I sound like. What I sound like is what I am. You know?

I cannot be anything other that what I am.

>> [Music continues]

>> Ray Charles: I don't sing "Georgia" like the record.

I sing "Georgia" true. I sing "Hit The Road Jack" true.

I sing what I sing true. Each night I sing it the way I feel that night.

>> [Ray Charles "Georgia"]

>> Ray Charles: Ain't no way in the &$#* I can sing "Georgia" the same way

I played it on the day. Because I'd have to go and study myself and learn.

I mean it really would be a chore. That's why I can't lip-sync.

>> [Music continues]

>> Ray Charles: Somebody asked me one time how I feel

about being called a genius. Do I feel I have to live up to something?

You know it ain't that kind of ballgame.

I feel that whatever people say about me or call me...

You know I mean all the little adjectives and different things

that people have put on me and things said about...

I had nothing to do with that. I never said I was a genius.

I never said I was a cornerstone. I've never said

I'm a legend in my own time. You never heard me say nothing like that.

You know, what I got to live up to is being myself.

If I do that the rest will take care of itself.

>> [Music: Ray Charles "I Believe To My Soul"]

>> Ray Charles: I think that most great artists who are extremely known, as I am,

would intimidate a lot of people. I don't want to do that to people,

but I know I do. Yes. When I'm having a rehearsal

and there are new guys who come in to try out for the job,

I always let my conductor rehearse them. Because I don't want the guy

to get bent out of shape, because I walk in. I always stay out

of the rehearsal room you know when they first come in.

Then once they had chance to play a little bit, then I walk in.

Because I've seen guys fall apart, man.

>> [Music: Ray Charles "Rock House"]

>> Ray Charles: I remember the first time I went to Carnegie Hall

and normally you would think that you'd be scared stiff.

At least that's what you're supposed to be according to what everybody...

Wherein for me, as opposed to being scared I was so glad...

something I always wanted all my ....

If i ever got to Carnegie... You ever have something in your mind

and you say "oh, lord, this is ultimate of my goal."

I couldn't wait to get out on stage. So I never was nervous.

I was so happy to be able to play Carnegie Hall and be there.

I guess I didn't take time to say: "look fool, you better get nervous about this first."

[laughter]

>> Ray Charles: The public has supported me, man. Do you know that?

Even when I was nobody. Even through all the trials and tribulations

and suffering and stuff I went through. They still stuck by me.

And that's why I believe in giving the public the best I got every night.

I never go out there and half do. I don't care how big the audience is.

If we got 500 or 5,000, I work the same, because

I want those 500 to go back and say:

"man, there wasn't too many of us there, but boy they put on a hell of a show."

>> [Ray Charles "What'd I Say"]

>> Ray Charles: I am still not quite used to it. I'm still sort of at awe

when I go places in the world where they speak very little english

and yet they know me on sight. They know my music.

You know I really marvel at that. I still can't quite grasp that. But isn't it wonderful?

>> Joe Smith: Still gives you a kick.

>> Ray Charles: Yes indeed. It still gives me a kick.

>> [Music continues]