Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004), known professionally as Ray Charles, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and composer. Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother Ray". He was often referred to as "The Genius". Charles was blind from the age of seven.

In June 1952, Atlantic Records bought Charles's contract for $2,500 (US$23,039 in 2017 dollars). His first recording session for Atlantic ("The Midnight Hour"/"Roll with My Baby") took place in September 1952, although his last Swingtime release ("Misery in My Heart"/"The Snow Is Falling") would not appear until February 1953.  In 1953, "Mess Around" became Charles's first small hit for Atlantic; the following year he had hits with "It Should've Been Me" and "Don't You Know". He also recorded the songs "Midnight Hour" and "Sinner's Prayer".  Late in 1954, Charles recorded "I've Got a Woman". The lyrics were written by Ray's bandleader, Renald Richard. Ray claimed the composition. They later openly admitted that the song went back to The Southern Tones' "It Must Be Jesus" (1954, Duke 205). It became one of his most notable hits, reaching number two on the R&B chart. "I've Got a Woman" included a mixture of gospel, jazz and blues elements that would later prove to be seminal in the development of soul music. In 1955, he had hits with "This Little Girl of Mine" and "A Fool for You". In upcoming years, he scored with "Drown in My Own Tears" and "Hallelujah I Love Her So". In 1959, "What'd I Say" reached the #6 position on the Billboard Pop chart (and #1 on the Billboard R&B chart).  During his career, Charles also recorded instrumental jazz albums, such as The Great Ray Charles (1957). During this time, he also worked with the jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson, releasing Soul Brothers in 1958 and Soul Meeting in 1961. By 1958, Charles was not only headlining black venues such as the Apollo Theater, in New York, but also bigger venues, such as Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival (where his first live album was recorded in 1958). In 1956, Charles recruited a young all-female singing group, the Cookies, and reshaped them as the Raelettes.

What did you leanr about Atlantic Records?
In June 1952, Atlantic Records bought Charles's contract for $2,500 (US$23,039 in 2017 dollars).