Like Quote by B. J. Thomas

Finding out that Ray Charles sang country songs but it sounded as soulful as any rhythm and blues record that kind of opened up…

— Michael Kiwanuka

Antwan Patton and Andre Benjamin saved my life. That's how I view them giving me a record deal, with nothing but love and adoration.…

— Killer Mike

I was a huge fan of the bandleader Ray Noble when I was younger. He was one of the biggest musical names of his…

— June Whitfield

Gospel, soul, jazz, and R&B were what I felt connected to as an artist.

— Raye

My main influences have always been the classic jazz players who sang, like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole and Jack Teagarden.

— Mose Allison

I'd say that Ray Charles is definitely the biggest influence on my singing. Also Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

— Michael McDonald

I always loved LeAnn Rimes and especially Clint Black for his soulfulness. As I've gotten older, my influences have broadened - John Mayer, Michael…

— Hunter Hayes

There were a whole lot, I bought every blues record I could find, it wasn't just one or two people. My vocal influences were…

— Johnny Winter

As a teenager, I was part of rap groups, but ultimately the sound of R&B acts like Donnell Jones, Brian McKnight, and Eric Benet…

— Jay Sean

At an early age I was listening to BB King, what have you. Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Mcgriff, you dig? With the obvious…

— Pimp C

Everyone felt like they knew Ray Charles and in a way they did, because he was embodied by his music.

— Ahmet Ertegun

I used to watch MTV when they played music, and discovered Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Healey.

— Joe Bonamassa