CHARLEY PRIDE - LIVE IN CANADA!

CHARLEY PRIDE - LIVE IN CANADA! FULL CONCERT. RIP

Charley Pride, whose rich baritone voice and impeccable song-sense altered American culture, died Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas of complications from the latest pandemic sickness at age 86.

Born a sharecropper’s son in Sledge, Mississippi, on March 18, 1934, Pride emerged from Southern cotton fields to become country music’s first Black superstar and the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“No person of color had ever done what he has done,” said Darius Rucker in the PBS American Masters film Charley Pride: I’m Just Me.

Pride was a gifted athlete who at first thought baseball would be his path from poverty, labor, and strife. But his musical acumen was more impressive than his pitching arm or his hitting skills, and he emerged as one of the most significant artists at RCA Records, with chart-topping hits including “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’,” “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” and “Mountain of Love.” He won the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1971, its top male vocalist prize in 1971 and 1972, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Charley Frank Pride was not the first Black artist to make important contributions to country music — DeFord Bailey was a star of the Grand Ole Opry from 1927 through 1941 — but Pride was a trailblazer who emerged during a time of division and rancor.

After a stint in the Army, time working at a Missouri smelting plant, and some unsuccessful attempts to break into big-league baseball, he came to Nashville in 1963 and made demonstration recordings with help from manager Jack Johnson.

Those recordings languished for two years until Johnson met with producer Jack Clement, who offered songs for Pride to learn. On August 16, 1965, Clement produced Pride at RCA Studio B, and the results of that session impressed RCA’s Chet Atkins, who signed Pride to a recording contract.

In 1967, Pride’s recording of Clement’s “Just Between You and Me” broke into country’s Top Ten, and Pride quit his job as a smelter. Iron ore was behind him, and platinum records lay ahead.

Between 1967 and 1987, Pride delivered 52 Top 10 country hits, won Grammy awards, and became RCA Records’ top-selling country artist. His musicality opened minds and superseded prejudice.

“We’re not color blind yet, but we’ve advanced a few paces along the path and I like to think I’ve contributed something to that process,” Pride wrote in his memoir.

Charley Pride escaped the cotton fields, where labor hurt his hands, back, and knees. He transcended and ascended through connection. Through fortitude and artistry, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a beloved American icon.

----------

“Charley has been a longtime friend and over the years I have always enjoyed laughing and exchanging jokes with him. We will miss you.”
-Jeff Cook / ALABAMA (Country Music Hall of Fame member)

“I loved Charley Pride and will miss his happy spirit. His voice was so unique, his records were so well done, he was a great entertainer, and he opened up a whole new market for Country Music. No wonder he is in the Hall of Fame.”
-Ricky Skaggs (Country Music Hall of Fame member)

"Charley Pride, a pioneer, a music man, a baseball player, a good friend and the love of Rozene’s life, has passed on. We’ve lost too many, and I just want us all to be here to love each other and the music the way Charlie always did for years to come."
-Ronnie Milsap (Country Music Hall of Fame member)

“I’m deeply saddened by the news today of Charley Pride's passing. What a kind, sweet, considerate man. He always, and I mean always, went out of his way to be friendly, supportive, complimentary, genuine and very human to all of us ‘younger' artists. He was an absolute joy to be around. May we never forget the great Charley Pride."
-Collin Raye

"Charley Pride broke down barriers for artists and fans of country music. He was an American icon and will be greatly missed around the world."
-John Anderson

"My heart is heavy tonight to lose a great man and a great country stylist. Mr. Pride was always kind to me and he was full of life. A true country legend and gentleman. God rest his soul and bless his family in this time." -Lorrie Morgan

"My heart is broken over the passing of Charley Pride. Out of all of the songs I got cut as a songwriter I am most proud of the fact that Charley cut two of my songs. We have lost a gentle, sweet man and a music legend. Rest in Peace.” -Aaron Tippin

“Charley was one of my best friends. He was my neighbor when we both lived in Branson. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. I will miss him very much.” -Moe Bandy

_______

Please, subscribe and like to keep REAL COUNTRY MUSIC alive!

Check When The Cowboy Sings & Newhillbilly on Youtube!
https://tinyurl.com/sc2k2th

#CharleyPride, #CharleyPrideLive, #CharleyPrideSongs
#CountryMusic #TrueCountryMusic #RealCountryMusic #Ameripolitan #TraditionalCountryMusic