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In the years following the 1999 release of Brad paisleyfirst album of Who needs pictures, the Nashville singer-songwriter went from a wide-eyed fan to a respected peer of Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson and other country music legends.
When Paisley was added to the growing list of country artists paying tribute on social media to Charley’s prideWe learned that the first black superstar of its kind got a head start and went out of her way to help teenager Paisley.
“The most generous, kind and pioneering man has passed away,” Paisley wrote on Instagram. “I met Charley Pride when I was 15. He gave my dad his phone number and said, ‘I would love to help your son.’ And he helped him. I am so lucky to have had so many memories with him.
“I am devastated,” Paisley adds. “You changed country music for the better, Charley. And you changed this kid’s life. We love you.
The photo Paisley chose is from the 2016 Country Music Association Awards (CMA Awards). The opening medley of the show celebrated 50 years of the CMAs. He understood Paisley and Roy Clark perform “I’ve Got the Tiger By the Tail” as a tribute to Buck Owens before Paisley returns to handle lead guitar for Pride’s rendition of “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin ‘.”
Read more: Darius Rucker, Dolly Parton + More Comment on the Country Music Hall of Fame and the death of Charley Pride, member of the Grand Ole Opry
Pride’s last public appearance was on the Nov. 11 show of the CMA Awards, in which he accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and sang “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin ‘” with another black country star Jimmie Allen.
Son of sharecroppers, Charley Frank Pride was born March 18, 1934 in Sledge, Mississippi. His 10 home siblings include fellow Negro American League baseball player Mack Pride Jr. (both brothers played for the Memphis Red Sox) and Texas singer-songwriter Stephen Pride.
After years of trying to make his Major League Baseball dreams come true, Pride turned to country music. His groundbreaking run with RCA Records began with the 1966 single “The Snakes Crawl at Night” and proved to be permanent when “All I Have to Offer You (is Me)” topped the country charts in 1969. By the end of it 1970s, Pride was a three-time Grammy Award winner, a CMA Artist of the Year and the best-selling artist on his label since Elvis Presley.
Pride died on December 12 at age 86 of complications from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Dallas, Texas resident is survived by Rozene and their three children: her compatriot country singer Dion, the frontman of reggae band Kraig (known professionally as Carlton) and a daughter, Angela.
“Without his encouragement when I was playing Whiskey a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in the ’70s, I might never have been to Nashville – and hearing this news tears a piece of my heart,” said Ronnie Milsap. (as cited by the Associated press). “That he died of COVID makes me even sadder. These are such sad days with too many losses. Please, everyone who has ever loved ‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning’, ‘Mountain of Love ‘or’ Is Anybody Goin ‘To San Antone, “Wear a mask, wash your hands, and be careful when gathering. We’ve lost too much, and I just want us to be all here to love each other and music like (Charley) always has for years to come. “
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