ATLANTA â Amid framed gold records and concert posters celebrating a Ray Charles tribute show at the Grand Ole Opry in 2006 and the 2014 opening of the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina, there hangs a drawing of Charles. A fan had created the artwork, and it looms as a spiritual music guide in this cozy studio room otherwise filled with racks of acoustic and electric guitars, including a customized Dale Earnhardt Gibson. âRay has more to do with what comes out of my mouth when I sing than anybody, probably. He influenced me so much.â Travis Tritt is looking at the depiction of Charles with a crinkle-eyed smile as he relays his everlasting awe of the Georgia soul titan, and in that fleeting moment, the nearly 32-year history of Tritt crystallizes.