Charley Pride facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charley Pride
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Pride performing at the Capital Centre on the January 1981 Inauguration Day
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charley Frank Pride |
| Born | March 18, 1934 Sledge, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | December 12, 2020 (aged 86) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1952–2020 |
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Charley Frank Pride (born March 18, 1934 – died December 12, 2020) was a famous American singer and musician. He was also a professional baseball player. Charley Pride became one of the biggest stars in country music. In the 1970s, he sold more records for RCA Records than anyone except Elvis Presley.
During his career, he had 52 songs that reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. An amazing 30 of these songs became number one hits! In 1971, he won the Entertainer of the Year award. This was given by the Country Music Association Awards.
Charley Pride was one of only three African Americans to become a member of the famous Grand Ole Opry. He was also added to the Country Music Hall of Fame in the year 2000.
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Early Life of Charley Pride
Charley Pride was born on March 18, 1934. He grew up in Sledge, Mississippi. He was the fourth of 11 children in his family. His parents were sharecroppers, which means they farmed land owned by someone else.
His father wanted to name him Charl Frank Pride. But a mistake on his birth certificate made his legal name Charley Frank Pride. His older brother, Mack Pride Jr., played Negro league baseball.
Charley Pride's Music Career
Charley Pride loved to sing, even at baseball games. People noticed his talent and encouraged him to become a musician. A record producer named Chet Atkins signed Pride to a record deal in 1965.
His first song, "The Snakes Crawl out at Night," was played on the radio. But it did not become a hit. He became more well known in 1969 with his song "From Me to You."
In 1971, Charley Pride had a huge hit. His song "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" reached the top of the Billboard charts. He also performed concerts in other countries, like Northern Ireland in 1975. In 1981, he sang for President Ronald Reagan at his Inauguration. That same year, he released an album called "There's A Little Bit of Hank in Me." On this album, he sang his own versions of songs by the legendary Hank Williams.
Charley Pride shared his life story in his autobiography, which was published in 1994.
Charley Pride's Personal Life
Charley Pride married Rozene Cohran in 1956. They lived in Dallas, Texas. They had two sons and one daughter. One of his sons also plays music in a band.
Pride was a big fan of baseball. He even became an investor for the Texas Rangers team. You could often see him at their games.
Charley Pride's Death
Charley Pride passed away in Dallas, Texas, on December 12, 2020. He was 86 years old. He died from problems related to COVID-19.
Honors and Special Recognitions
Charley Pride received many honors during and after his life:
- In 2003, a 33-mile (53 km) part of Mississippi Highway 3 was named "Charley Pride Highway." This road goes from his hometown of Sledge to Tutwiler.
- He sang the national anthem before game five of the 2010 World Series. This was a big baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants.
- On March 14, 2021, the Texas Rangers baseball team renamed their spring training field in Arizona. It is now called "Charley Pride Field."
Awards and Achievements
Charley Pride won many awards for his music:
Academy of Country Music Awards
- 1994 Pioneer Award
- 1973 Favorite Country Album
- 1973 Favorite Country Male Artist
- 1976 Favorite Country Male Artist
Ameripolitan Music Awards
- 2016 Master Award
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Inducted in 2000
- 1971 Entertainer of the Year
- 1971 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1972 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award
- 1971 Best Sacred Performance (Musical) – for "Did You Think to Pray"
- 1972 Best Gospel Performance – for "Let Me Live"
- 1973 Best Country Vocal Performance, Male – for Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs
- 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame
- 1996 Merit of Distinction Award in the Performing Arts
Images for kids
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Pride performing at the Republic Country Club in Stafford, Texas, in 2016
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See also
In Spanish: Charley Pride para niños
