Ray Quotes

Jerry Wexler: Ahmet believes we're family here at Atlantic Records. I believe we're family at Atlantic. Obviously you don't. Ahmet wouldn't believe it. You know what he said, Ray? He said you would never turn your back on us. Never for a schlockmeister like Sam Clark. Ha! That's rich. Sam Clark's a corporate slug who wouldn't know the difference between Earl Hines and Art Tatum!

We let you grow here, Ray. Nobody's taking credit for your talent, but we nourished it. We let you do your thing. Goddamn it, we deserve better than this.
Ray Charles: You know that I appreciate everything you guys have done here, Jerry. Ahmet, I'm very proud of the work we've done here together and Atlantic has done pretty good moneywise on my records, haven't they?

Ahmet Ertegun: Yes, we've done very well, Ray.
Ray Charles: You're the ones who taught me that making a record is business and find the best business deal that you can. Now seventy-five cents of every dollar and owning my own masters is a pretty damn good deal. Can you match it?
Ahmet Ertegun: Ray we would love to match it, but we

just can't. That's a better deal than Sinatra gets... I'm very proud of you.

Milt Shaw: He's filed a lawsuit, Ray, and it's more than a fine. This guy's got juice, he can get you barred from ever playing Georgia again. But he's willing to drop the suit if you make up the gig.
Ray Charles: Not if it's segregated.
Milt Shaw: Ray... I admire what you're doing, man, but you can't afford this. Georgia's our

highest grossing state.
Ray Charles: I'm never playing another Jim Crow joint ever again, do you got that?
Milt Shaw: I got it.

Ray Charles: That's Diz. Emanon!
Quincy Jones: Yeah, but what's it spell backwards?
Ray Charles: Come on man, why don't you give me something difficult? "No name."
Quincy Jones: Say, daddy-o, what axe you play?
Ray Charles: Uh, piano. Just blew in from Tampa, Florida. Me and my partner,

Gossie McGee, came here, you know, want to fatten up our style. Cop some licks from some more experienced cats, you dig?
Quincy Jones: You know what? Why don't you let me take you inside? You know, show you around.
Ray Charles: All right. Perfect gentleman.
Quincy Jones: Yeah, this is just like my place. So, what's your name?

Ray Charles: Ray Robinson.
Quincy Jones: I'm Quincy Jones.

Ray Charles: There's some things you're not understandin'...
Della Bea Robinson: Well, make me understand, Ray!
Ray Charles: Baby, when I walk out that door I walk out alone in the dark. I'm trying to do something ain't nobody ever done in music and business. But I can't do it if I'm alone everywhere I go. I don't wanna be alone

here, Bea. Not in my own home. Look, Bea, if you don't understand me, then who will?

Gossie McKee: What the hell's Ray doin' up there?
Marlene: Auditionin' for you Gossie.
Gossie McKee: He ain't no good without me.
Marlene: How'd you and the 'Bama like to do a week here at the Chair. I know a good bass player. Nice jazz trio can score big. With the right manager.
Gossie

McKee: Manager?
Marlene: Come on now, Gossie, don't be so small minded. You know you have to give to get.
Gossie McKee: What exactly do I have to give?
Marlene: Twenty-five percent. But I'll be gettin' you other gigs.
Gossie McKee: Alright. Next question. What do I get?

Marlene: What do you need?
Gossie McKee: Double scale as leader. Plus ten percent.
Marlene: What about the 'Bama?
Gossie McKee: He's about as green as a blade of grass. I can handle him.
Marlene: Yeah, he's green alright. So, Gossie, you don't have to worry about finding a hotel room

for the 'Bama. He can flop at my place.
Gossie McKee: You don't never change.

Oberon: You know, Marlene and Gossie's the ones running the game on you, Ray. They sliced up the pie the first night you played. Thirty-five percent off the top. Plus Gossie's double scale as leader.
Ray Charles: Leader. If anyone's leadin' the band I'm the leader! You know what? Forget the bohumps. I'm goin' my own way.
Oberon:

Who's gonna book your gigs? Marlene's got you locked up and she ain't about to let her golden goose go.
Lady in Rain: [singing] Straighten up and fly right. Cool down papa don't you blow your top.
[Speaking]
Lady in Rain: Ray Robinson you are fan-tastic.
Oberon: There you go man. Gimme some skin.
Ray

Charles: [Feels card in his hand] What's this?
Oberon: Jack's card. I got his number at the hotel

Jeff Brown: Where you from Ray?
Ray Charles: North Florida.
Jeff Brown: Old North Florida boy. Your people still down there?
Ray Charles: Naw.
Jeff Brown: All right. Hey, pardon me for asking, but how do you get around so good without a cane or a dog?
Ray

Charles: How do you get around so good without a cane or a dog?
Jeff Brown: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
Ray Charles: My ears gotta be my eyes, man. Everything sounds different, you know? That's why I wear hard sole shoes so I can hear the echo of my footsteps off the wall. When I pass by an open doorway the sound changes.

Jeff Brown: Wow, that's cool.
Ray Charles: You gotta learn pretty quick if you want to get around on your own.