RIP Charley Pride

Charley Pride was a groundbreaking artist.  But he didn't do it through protest songs or speeches, but his mere determination to be treated as a musical equal.  Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, Pride was one of the genres great vocal stylists.  His slightly baritone voice an influence on a generation of Country acts who followed him.

My Dad loved Charley Pride and had plenty of his vinyl albums.  So, I grew up not just with his big hits like "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" and "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone" but with plenty of deep cuts.  Pride may have come across as unassuming in interviews.  But don't let the modesty fool you.  Pride always set out to prove that making it as an African-American Country singer in a white-dominated field was not a novelty.  Pride had the goods.  His rich voice was distinctive.  And he had the songs too.  "Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger", "Just Between You and Me", "Burgers and Fries", "All I Have To Offer You", "She's Just An Old Love Turned Memory" are just a few of his big hits. He ended up with 52 Top 10's and 29 #1 Country Hits. 

Charley Pride always wanted to let the music do his talking when it came to the color of his skin.  And it did.  And because he was so great at what he did, he became a groundbreaking artist.