Charley Frank Pride (March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020) was an American country singer. He began his career as a Negro league baseball player in the early 1950s, before shifting to country music, where he became the genre’s first Black superstar.
His peak success came between 1969 and 1975, when he became the top-selling artist for RCA Records, surpassing even Elvis Presley and John Denver in sales.
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Charley Pride Net Worth
Charley Pride had a net worth of $40 million at the time of his death in 2020. That same year, the CMA announced he would receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Country Music Association Awards in recognition of his contributions to the genre.
The CMA CEO stated, “Charley Pride is the epitome of a trailblazer. Few other artists have advanced country music’s rich heritage globally like Charley. His distinctive voice has left a timeless legacy that still resonates throughout the country community today.”
Early Life
Charley Pride was born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi, to Tessie B. (née Stewart; 1908–1956) and Fowler MacArthur “Mack” Pride Sr. (1907–1996). He was the fourth of eleven children in a family of sharecroppers.
His father intended to name him Charl Frank Pride, but a clerical error on his birth certificate made his legal name Charley Frank Pride. The family included eight boys and three girls. His elder brother, Mack Pride, also played Negro league baseball before becoming a minister.
Career
When Charley Pride was 14, his mother bought him his first guitar, and he taught himself to play. Though passionate about music, his lifelong dream was to become a professional baseball player. In 1952, he pitched for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League.
In 1953, he signed with the Boise Yankees, a Class C farm team of the New York Yankees. After a pitching injury that diminished his fastball, he was moved to the Class D team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Later that year, while with the Louisville Clippers, Pride and teammate Jesse Mitchell were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus. Pride later joked, “Jesse and I may have the distinction of being the only players in history to be traded for a used motor vehicle.”
Personal Life
Charley Pride met his wife Rozene while playing baseball in Memphis, Tennessee. They married in 1956, during Pride’s Christmas leave from Army basic training. The couple had two sons, Kraig and Dion, and a daughter, Angela. They also had five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and resided in Dallas.
In the late 1970s, Pride had an extramarital affair with an unmarried Dallas flight attendant, who gave birth to a son, Tyler, in 1979. In 1990, she sued Pride for child support, which he contested by denying paternity. In 1992, a DNA test confirmed Pride was the father. A Texas court then ordered child support payments and changed the boy’s surname to Pride.
Who helped Charlie Pride?
In 1962, Country stars Red Sovine and Red Foley discovered Charley Pride in Helena and eventually helped him reach Nashville, where he connected with producer Jack Clement.
In 1965, Clement recorded initial demo tracks of Pride that caught the attention of Chet Atkins at RCA Records, leading to a significant breakthrough in Pride’s career.
Conclusion
Charley Pride’s legacy in country music is secured by his groundbreaking role as an African American superstar in a predominantly white genre, his numerous hit songs, and the barriers he broke down through his music and presence. He will be remembered as a cherished champion of country music, whose contributions went beyond his impressive net worth to include lasting impacts on the industry and its fans.
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FAQs about Charley Pride
- What Was Charley Pride’s Net Worth and How Did He Earn It? Charley Pride celebrated as country music’s cherished champion, left behind a legacy and a net worth of $40 million at the time of his passing in December 2020. Pride earned his wealth through a groundbreaking career in country music as a singer, musician, and record producer. He was notably the first Black superstar in country music and achieved immense success, including being RCA Records’ second best-selling performer after Elvis Presley for many years.
- How Did Charley Pride Break Into the Country Music Scene? Pride broke into the country music scene in the mid-1960s, achieving his commercial breakthrough with the single “Just Between You and Me” in 1967. Despite facing significant barriers due to racial prejudice, his incredible talent and perseverance led to a successful career. Charley Pride became a pioneer, opening doors for African-American artists in a predominantly white genre.
- What Were Some of Charley Pride’s Major Achievements and Honors? Over his illustrious career, Charley Pride received numerous awards and honors, highlighting his impact on country music. He won the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1971 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the same organization in 2020. Additionally, Pride was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, underscoring his lasting legacy in the music industry.
- How Did Charley Pride Contribute to the Representation of African Americans in Country Music? Charley Pride’s success as an African-American artist in country music during the 1960s and beyond was groundbreaking. He challenged racial stereotypes and barriers within the industry, becoming a symbol of change and diversity. Pride’s achievements demonstrated that talent knows no racial boundaries, paving the way for future generations of artists of color in country music and beyond.
- What Was the Impact of Charley Pride’s Passing on the Country Music Community? The passing of Charley Pride in December 2020, due to complications from COVID-19, deeply affected the country music community and his fans worldwide. His death sparked conversations about safety protocols at public events during the pandemic, as he had recently attended the Country Music Association Awards. Pride is remembered not only for his musical talent but also for his role as a trailblazer in the industry, with his legacy inspiring artists across genres and generations.
