Everybody in town wanted to sing with Ray.

If you wanted to use Ray Charles, there was no negotiation. After about 10 years, the masters reverted to him.

I could go out to the studio he had in L.A. and hang around with him. We’d play chess. I later learned that was a real privilege.

It’s the most unusual contract I’ve ever done. He said, ‘Look, I’m not going to need a lawyer. It’s just going to be me and you.’ He cooked dinner for me. He was a good...