Ray Charles was one of the musical geniuses of the 20th century. Throughout his professional career he became an international icon earning an incredible 17 Grammy® Awards, three Emmy® nominations and numerous other honours and recognitions for his artistry. The Kassner group represents a variety of songs recorded by Ray, both through ownership of copyrights and through an administration deal signed with The Ray Charles Foundation|. The Kassner group also works in conjunction with the The Ray Charles Marketing Group, from whom licences for a number of Ray’s most popular recordings may be sourced.

Ray Charles’ recording achievements began as a member of the Maxim Trio in 1949. Solo success followed on the US R&B chart, bringing him to the attention of Atlantic Records, with whom he signed in 1952. Whilst on the Atlantic label, Ray took the US R&B chart by storm but his significant mainstream accomplishments would come after his transfer to ABC Records, with whom he was affiliated from 1960 to 1976. Ray exploded into the public consciousness with Georgia on my Mind and a string of hits would follow. The Kassner group represents a range of music that Ray made famous while at ABC Records, including I’ve Got News For You I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU by ROY ALFRED|, At the Club AT THE CLUB by PERCY MAYFIELD|, Hide nor Hair HIDE NOR HAIR by PERCY MAYFIELD|, What Am I Living For? WHAT AM I LIVING FOR by ART HARRIS,FRED JAY|, America The Beautiful AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by RAY CHARLES| and the chart sensation Hit the Road Jack HIT THE ROAD JACK by PERCY MAYFIELD|. Also part of our repertoire is Shake A Tail Feather SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER by OTIS HAYES,VERLIE RICE,ANDRE WILLIAMS|, the song that he performed in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers.

Ray Charles died in 2004 and the Grammy® Awards of the following year were dedicated to him as a tribute to the life of one of America’s great performers. He continues to influence the lives of others through The Ray Charles Foundation|, whose vision is to instil in the youth of America the principle that "there is no challenge too great one cannot overcome.".