Charley Pride was an American country music legend whose rich baritone voice and amiable personality helped him become one of the biggest country stars of the 1970s and one of the most successful African-American artists in the genre's history. Born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi, he was one of eleven children of a sharecropper. His journey to stardom was serendipitous; he initially pursued a career in baseball, playing in the Negro leagues before his talent in music led him to pivot towards performing.

Pride’s breakthrough came with his massive hit "Just Between You and Me" in 1967, earning him a Grammy nomination and setting the stage for a career that would include over 50 top-ten hits on the country charts. He broke through racial barriers in the country music industry, becoming the first black performer to appear at the Grand Ole Opry in over six decades. Over his career, he released dozens of albums that showcased his smooth, traditional country style, including "Music in My Heart", "Choices", and "Pride and Joy: A Gospel Music Collection". In addition to his musical success, Pride was also recognized with many accolades, including becoming a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Charley Pride passed away on December 12, 2020, but his influence and significant contributions to music and culture endure.

Genres

Classic Country Pop

Country

Country Rock

Nashville Sound

Related Artists

Willie Nelson

Merle Haggard

George Strait

Johnny Cash

Dolly Parton

Alan Jackson

Don Williams

Conway Twitty

Ronnie Milsap

Loretta Lynn

Travis Tritt

Randy Travis

Latest Release

Kiss An Angel Good Morning (Nashville Series)

Charley Pride

Single - Released July 30, 2021