Saturday, December 12, 2020

Charley Pride (1934-2020)

 This hurts.

It has just come across the wires that country music legend Charley Pride has passed away at 86. Cause of death as of press time has been tagged as complications from coronavirus.

Country fans know most of his hits, from 1971's "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'", to his 1975 cover of Hank Williams' "Kaw-Liga". From "Just Between You & Me" to "Is Anyone Goin' to San Antoine?". From "Burgers & Fries" to a cover of "Mountain of Love".

But music wasn't his only interest. Pride also played in the Negro Leagues, and was in the minor league systems of at least a couple of major league clubs, including the Yankees, back in an era when they had Classes B-D in the minors, instead of A-AAA, like they do now. He tried out for the then-expansion Mets in 1962, but didn't make the cut. He served in the Army as a quartermaster, and after his baseball career ended, he found his calling in music.

Charley also dabbled in acting, including a guest appearance in the short-lived Jerry Reed-Claude Akins crime drama, Nashville 99.

From a 1978 appearance on Hee Haw, here's "Burgers & Fries", which peaked at #2 on the country chart here, and hit #1 in Canada.


Rest in peace, Charley. Heaven just got another vocalist in the choir.

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