James Carr (June 13, 1942 - January 7, 2001) came to prominence as a Soul singer during the mid-1960s. He has often been recognized as one of that era's greatest vocalists, placing him alongside an elite list that includes Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Born in Coahoma County, Mississippi in 1942, Carr's family had moved to Memphis when he was still a young child. It was here that he discovered music through the sound of Gospel, listening to artists such as Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers.