Joe recalls meeting Trudy, a Raelette, while working at a concert in Detroit. He fell for her instantly, but it wasn’t until several years later, when Joe became Ray Charles’s road manager, that he got to make his move. They eventually married in 1994.

The couple now lives in Memphis, Tenn. Joe Hunter became a minister in 2003 and serves as a school mentor. Trudy Hunter teaches vocal music at Stax Music Academy. The two are currently raising their 10-year-old nephew, Andrew.

Originally aired on February 12, 2008, on NPR’s News & Notes.