Charlie Frank Pride
Who remembers this country music star? I had not thought of him in years until I ran across a short piece on Facebook. I was around when he became a voice to be reconded with in the '70s. Although I didn't care much for country music he caught my attention because of his voice and the way he carried himself. He had a look of pride mixed with a humble side.
He was born in 1934 in Sledge, Mississippi as one of eleven children to a sharecropper. He married Rozene Cohran in 1956. He is an American singer, musician, guitarist, business owner, and former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher for the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Red_Sox but had to hang up his glove when an injury caused him to lose the "mustard" on his fastball.
He served two years in the army from 1956-1958. His break came when Chet Atkins at RCA Victor heard a demonstration tape and got Pride a contract In 1966. After his first few releases that went nowhere, he released another single called "Before I Met You", which also did not chart. Not long afterward, his third single, "Just Between You and Me", was released. This song finally brought Pride success on the country charts. The song reached number nine on the US country chart. The success of "Just Between You and Me" was enormous. Pride was nominated for a Grammy Award for the song the next year.
In 1967, he became one of the first black performers to appear at the Grand Ole Opry. His career took off at this point and he was off to the races. In 1971, Pride released what would become his biggest hit, "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'", a million-selling crossover single that helped him land the Country Music Association's prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, as well as Top Male Vocalist. He won CMA's Top Male Vocalist award again in 1972.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRIRTQ_k-Sg
On April 29, 2011, a biographical film based on Pride's life and career was announced to be in the works. The film will be produced by and star actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson.
On November 1, 2019, The Mississippi native is to be the inaugural recipient of GRAMMY Museum®–Mississippi’s Crossroads of American Music Award.
"As a native of Mississippi, Charley has had a significant impact on American music with his uncompromising honky-tonk country music." said Emily Havens, Executive Director.
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