Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight To Feature Charley Pride

On Sunday September 28th, the Spotlight shines on Charley Pride at 11 a.m.  It's a segment of the 98 Country Classic Show which you can catch on your radio, online and on your mobile device. 

At age sixteen, Charley Pride left his home in Mississippi to play professional baseball.  After two years with a team in Memphis and elsewhere, he joined the Army for a two year stint.  He had tryouts with the California Angels in the early sixties but by then he had injured his throwing arm.

He got into country music thanks to Red Sovine and Red Foley.  His first single, The Snakes Crawl At Night, was released in January of 1966.  Just Between You and Me, a 1966 release brought Charley a Grammy nomination and national fame.  By the end of the 60's and the early 70's, he had five number one singles in a row including All I Have To Offer Is Me and Is Anybody Going to San Antone?

Numerous awards came in 1971 and 1972 with many more hits following among them including Kiss an Angel Good Mornin', Burgers and Fires, Mountain of Love and many more.

His warm baritone voice and relaxed style made him the highest selling act for RCA Records since Elvis.  Charley is one of the few African-American country musicians to have had considerable success in the largely white country music industry and was the first African -American musician to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

He went on to receive country music's highest honor on October 4, 2000 with an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Charlie currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife Rozene.  The couple has three children.