How do you decide what songs to perform? "To choose a song I always start with the lyrics. The lyrics must capture my attention. If the music compliments the lyrics, that makes the song work for me. I play the songs folks love to hear and mix it up with new things to keep interesting for them and for me." How are you able to keep such a grueling road schedule at your age? "It's my life, I have to, music to me is just like breathing. It's a part of me, like blood in your veins." What is the Ray Charles Foundation? "I have my own charity that helps children hear for the first time through the latest technology in hearing implants. When I'm with a child who hears for the first time, there's nothing like that." What do you think about the popular music of today? "I don't hear anything that makes my brain go "wow!" You used to have singers that could sing two notes and you knew who they were: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, Gladys Knight, Nat King Cole. I'm not saying it's the artist's fault. I think it's more the record companies', because they want the artist to sound like whoever had the last hit." What is your idea of perfect happiness? "A great performance, when everything comes together, the music, the audience, the whole thing. It's what makes me want o keep touring and recording." What is your greatest fear? "Losing my hearing. You know, I have a foundation for kids with hearing disorders because I believe so strongly that without your hearing, you have nothing. Of course, that's especially true when it comes to music." Which living person do you most admire? "I have a lot of great friends in the music business I admire; folks like Aretha, BB King, Johnny Cash. I just did a TV special with Travis Tritt. I love what he does, too." What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? "My inability to slow down. I just have to keep going, all the time. People want me to slow down, relax. It's tough after a lifetime of world travel." What is the trait you most deplore in others? "Lack of caring, especially in a professional situation. I'm a bit of a perfectionist who puts a lot of heart and soul into my work, whether it's a recording or a live concert. So, I expect the same output from people I'm working with, at the office or on the road." What do you consider the most overrated virtue? "Talent. People with very little of it are packaged and marketed like crazy these days, especially in music. The true talents are few and far between. Original talent is especially lacking. Everything and everyone sounds the same." On what occasion do you lie? "No comment! Actually, I like dealing with people in a straightforward way. I know what it's like to be lied to, there was plenty of that stuff early in my career. So I appreciate dealing with people who you can trust with a handshake." What do you dislike most about your appearance? "I definitely have a look, an attitude that's sort of a trademark. That's good I guess, people remember it. I never worked at it, I was more focused on how I sound rather than how I looked, although over the years we've built up a great collection of stage costumes that I still use." What is your greatest regret? "I don't have any big regrets. I've had a great career. It's lasted 50 years so far. That's pretty damn long, especially in show business. I regret not having more time with my mother, who passed when I was quite young. I recently donated money to Albany State GA Univ. so they could build a theatre in her name. She was a big inspiration to me and helped me form an independent mind early in life." What is the greatest thing in your life? "My music. When all else fails, I always have my music and it's never left me down. In fact, it's like breathing, it's there every day to keep me going." Where are you the happiest? "In the recording studio, messing around, trying new songs, new ideas. I have my own studio in Los Angeles and I spend hours and house there at the control board. I love it. My last album, "Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again," was done there." Which talent would you most like to have? "That's a tough one. Maybe be the world chess champion. I love that game. I've been playing it for years. The pros tell me I'm pretty good!" If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? "I don't know what that might be. Things have been good for me for along time. No real complaints. Maybe I wouldn't work so hard or have so much nervous energy." What do you consider your greatest achievement? "Hopefully, I made some impact on music with my own interpretation and performances. The great thing about recording is the music goes on forever and we've done some great records over the years that people will hopefully enjoy for along time." What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? "Racism and poverty. Two really scourges that i have known early in my life. Sadly, while things are better for many, there are those who still suffer the indignities of both. Until we find a way to fix these problems, there will always be unrest in our society and our world." If you could live anywhere, where would that be? "Right where I am, in Los Angeles. It's been my home for 40 years and I'm totally comfortable there. Even when we're on a long tour, I'll come home, even for a day, if there's a break. The distance doesn't matter. Home is L.A. and that's where I have my friends, my music, the studio, office, everything." What do you love most about your profession? "Performing. I never tire of it because I love the fact that people enjoy it and still support me and my music." What is your most marked characteristic? "My voice. People recognize it right away, even if they have their eyes closed. Early in my career, I tried to imitate others, like Nat King Cole, whose style I really admired. Then I realized the need to be my own person. So that's what I am and it worked." What is the quality you most like in a man? "Courage, commitment to a project or a cause. Someone who doesn't give, even if it means going it alone, doing it your way." What is the quality you most like in a woman? "Who doesn't like a beautiful woman? It can be a weakness!" What do you most value in your friends? "Loyalty. Many of them date back many years. Quincy Jones and I met at the beginning of our careers, never knowing they would be so full and long lasting. Over the years, we've helped each other out." Who are your favorite writers? "There are a lot of favorites. It's great to see so many African American writers get recognized. There's a lot of great talent out there and literature is so important in the development of young people. If I wasn't a musician, I might be a writer." Who are your heroes? "The every day people who get up and go to work, feed their kids and try to do the right thing. They're my real heroes. They're the people who come and see my shows, spend their hard earned money and I appreciate their loyalty and support." What is your motto? "God helps those who help themselves."