It wasn’t the only time Foxx might have felt embarrassed, however, when it came to Ray. His performance as Charles garnered heavy critical praise, and even won him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2005.

As many learned through actor Jamie Foxx's Academy Award-winning portrayal in the 2004 film "Ray," Charles became blind by age 7 and orphaned at 15 while growing up in northwest Florida.

For fans of: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Blind Willie Johnson, Mahalia Jackson. Latest release: Take the High Road, a country-inspired album featuring Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. among others.

Charles had moved to Jones' home in Seattle to pursue fame as a jazz pianist. The legally blind Charles, then 17 and Jones, 14, spent three years studying music composition together.

1: Ray Charles Jacksonville connection: Charles moved to Jacksonville as a teen after spending time at Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, living on Church Street where the ...

Ray Charles, blind visionary who revolutionized American music with fusions of soul, rock, jazz and country, breaks mold once more at 47th annual Grammy Awards, posthumously dominating telecast ...

Ray Charles, blind visionary who revolutionized American music with fusions of soul, rock, jazz and country, breaks mold once more at 47th annual Grammy Awards, posthumously dominating telecast ...