Give it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you, Ray Charles for living.

"With the first album, the timing wasn't right and it wasn't a good situation. The situation is perfect now. The movie set everything up and people are more accepting now. The good thing is that it's not forced. If people dig the music, it will do well, and if they don't -- well, I won't do an album for another 10 years.�

In our music, in our everyday life, there are so many negative things. Why not have something positive and stamp it with blackness?

She still talks to me now, only now she talks to me in my dreams. And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about. I love you.

“[On fellow Oscar winner Sidney Poitier:] 'I saw you once and I looked into your eyes and there was a connection.' He said, 'I give to you responsibility,' and I'm taking that responsibility tonight. Thanks, Sidney.�

"We can't wave a magic wand and get rid of any of these people's problems, but what they want is they want to be heard,�

"In tribute to his grandmother] She still talks to me now, only now she talks to me in my dreams. And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about. I love you.�