Born 18 Mar 1934 in Sledge, Quitman, Mississippi, United States

Ancestors

Died 12 Dec 2020 in Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States

Profile managers: US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message] and Connie Graham [send private message]

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Biography

Charley Pride is Notable.

Charley Frank Pride (March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020) was an American singer, musician, guitarist, business owner, and professional baseball player. He passed away due to complications from COVID-19.

His greatest musical success came in the early to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis Presley. During the peak years of his recording career (1966–87), he garnered 52 top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 30 of which made it to number one. He also won the Entertainer of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards in 1971.

Country Music Career

Pride was one of only three African-Americans to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry (the others are DeFord Bailey and Darius Rucker). He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

In 1962 Country stars Red Sovine and Red Foley discovered Pride in Helena, Montana and eventually helped him come to Nashville, where he hooked up with producer Jack Clement. In 1965 Clements’s initial demo recordings of Pride caught Chet Atkins’s ear at RCA Records. Atkins flew to Los Angeles to play the sides to top label executives and had their agreement to sign the remarkable voice before he revealed Pride’s color; his first RCA recording session took place in August 1965 and his first single, “Snakes Crawl At Night,” was released in January 1966. Pride’s race was likewise shielded from Country radio through three single releases until the third, “Just Between You and Me,” climbed into the Country Top 10. His gold-selling first album, Country Charley Pride, was the first indication many fans had that he was black.

Pride handled the curiosity of fans in dancehalls by allowing 20 minutes of stage-side gawking before clearing the floor to allow people to dance. As with Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line in big-league baseball, he suffered whatever discrimination he was exposed to in silence, determined that talent was what counted. His work spoke volumes: between his chart debut in 1966 and 1989, he had 29 No. 1 Country hits, including such enduring classics as “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (1971) and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” (1969).

Negro League Baseball

The highlight of Charley Pride's baseball career was probably the four innings of an all-star game he pitched, during which he got a chance to stare down the likes of Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Ultimately, professional ball didn't work out for him, but those long bus rides gave him a chance to entertain teammates and hone his guitar skills.

Pride was a pitcher for the Memphis Red Sox and Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League. He played from 1953 to 1958 and bounced around a few times -- legend has it he and another teammate were once traded for a used bus. Pride says he had a "pretty good little curve," but it was never good enough to earn a contract in the Major Leagues.

Statement from the Texas Rangers Baseball Team

“The Texas Rangers join the Country Music world in mourning the loss of Charley Pride. While Mr. Pride was a legendary performer who entertained millions of fans in the United States and around the world, we will remember him as a true friend to this franchise.

“Mr. Pride’s first love was baseball. He pitched professionally in the Negro and Minor Leagues throughout the 1950’s before embarking on his Hall of Fame singing career of more than 60 years. Mr. Pride then became a regular participant at Texas Rangers spring training camps in Pompano Beach and Port Charlotte, Florida and Surprise, Arizona, working out with the team and staging an annual clubhouse concert for players and staff, a tradition that continued through this past spring.

“The Rangers have been honored to have Mr. Pride be a part of the team’s ownership group for the last ten years. A longtime resident of this area, he was a regular at home games when his schedule permitted. He sang The Star Spangled Banner one final time before the first regular season game ever played at Globe Life Field on July 24.

“Mr. Pride was a true gentleman, and we will never forget the lasting contributions he has made to the Texas Rangers organization. We express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Pride’s family and friends on this sad day"^[1]

Dolly Parton Collaboration

Pride was reportedly nervous to approach Parton about a duet. According to Rolling Stone, it was his wife Rozene who reached out to Parton about a possible collaboration. The Queen of Country immediately said yes, but with one condition: that they sing “God’s Coloring Book.”

“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you,” she wrote. “Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans.”^[2]

Statement from Country Music Association

Statement on behalf of CMA and representatives of Charley Pride: Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions. Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the Country Music community are heartbroken by Charley’s passing. Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further.

Family

In 1956, he married Rozene Cohran. In addition to his wife, he has three children, reggae musician Carlton Pride; Dion Pride, a country singer; and Angela Pride; four siblings; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/press-release/texas-rangers-statement-on-the-passing-of-charley-pride
2. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/music/dolly-parton-and-charley-pride-duet-gods-coloring-book

• Friskics-Warren, Bill; "Charley Pride, Country Music’s First Black Superstar, Dies at 86." New York Times, Dec 12,2020.
• McArdle, Terrence; "Charley Pride, first major Black star in country music, dies at 86 of covid-19." Washington Post, Dec 12, 2020 .
• Overdeep, Meghan; " Listen to Dolly Parton and Charley Pride’s Moving Gospel Duet, 'God’s Coloring Book'." Southern Living,December 14, 2020
• Silverman, Hollie and Elam, Stephanie; "Country music legend Charley Pride dies at 86." CNN.com Sun December 13, 2020.
• _____________; " Charley Pride, Trailblazing Legend And Country Music Hall Of Fame Member, Passes Away At 86." cmaworld.com Dec 12, 2020.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 14 December 2020), memorial page for Charley Pride (18 Mar 1934–12 Dec 2020).Find A Grave: Memorial #219651701, ; Maintained by C.S. (contributor 46798780) Burial Details Unknown.
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See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #219651701
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charley_Pride
• Charley Pride in Helena HelenaHistory.org

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