Charley Pride to Receive Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Charley Pride will be the 2020 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award handed out by the Country Music Association. To be awarded during the 54th Annual CMA Awards set to transpire on Wednesday, November 11th from Nashville and broadcast on ABC, Charley Pride will be toasted as a trailblazer, and one of country’s most successful stars in history. The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and Grand Ole Opry member amassed a whopping 29 #1 songs over his career.
The CMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award was named after Willie Nelson in 2012 when he became the inaugural recipient of the distinction. It’s not handed out every year, but when the moment feels right to recognize a country legend. Kenny Rogers received the award in 2013, Johnny Cash posthumously received it in 2015, Dolly Parton received it in 2016, and Kris Kristofferson in 2019.
“Charley Pride is the epitome of a trailblazer,” CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern says. “Few other artists have grown country music’s rich heritage and led to the advancement of country music around the world like Charley. His distinctive voice has created a timeless legacy that continues to echo through the country community today. We could not be more excited to honor Charley with one of CMA’s highest accolades.”
After playing baseball in the Negro American League, Charley Pride signed to RCA Victor and in 1967 he became the first African-American singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1993, Pride became the Grande Ole Opry’s first African-American member, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. He also received the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
The awarding of Charley Pride with the Lifetime Achievement designation will also likely come with a tribute during the 54th Annual CMA Awards presentation.
October 25, 2020 @ 11:29 am
Such a great honor for Charlie, a friend of mine played steel for him for ten years and had only good things to say about him.
Another once interviewed him Long ago and asked him what it was like being a black
man playing country and Charlie put his arm next to his and said ‘ I’m not black and you’re not white, we’re all just different shades of tan’ , to me it’s a great way of looking at things especially now.
I think I’ll have a burger, fries and a Cherry pie tonight, congrats Charlie!
October 25, 2020 @ 12:53 pm
Fantastic!
October 25, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
A living legend. And as a bonus, hes yet with us, alive and well. Excellent choice.
October 25, 2020 @ 2:12 pm
This morning Crystal Chandeliers was played on Willie Roadhouse. What a great song.
October 25, 2020 @ 3:51 pm
Would love to see Tony Jackson lead the musical tribute for Mr. Charley Pride.
October 25, 2020 @ 3:52 pm
Sorry about that. I didn’t mean for my message to be a reply to your comment.
October 25, 2020 @ 2:36 pm
Wonderful! Charley Pride is my favorite old-timer. I have about 40 favorite Charley Pride songs.
October 25, 2020 @ 2:53 pm
Charley is now my favorite living C(c)ountry singer.
I genuinely hope that the CMA didn’t choose the timing of this simply because Charley is black. What a disgrace to his achievements and his talent that would be.
Though, my gut tells me they probably did.
October 25, 2020 @ 9:37 pm
I’m betting it will be Darius Rucker,Jimmie Allen and Mickey Guyton that presents it to him.
October 25, 2020 @ 3:02 pm
He should not receive the award, in my opinion. I mean, they can name him all they want, but they don’t deserve his presence or even acknowledgement.
October 25, 2020 @ 5:25 pm
The nuts crawl at night….or in the afternoon.
October 25, 2020 @ 8:29 pm
Excellent choice! Charley isn’t just a great singer; he’s a hero of mine. His presence on the Ken Burns doc was one of the highlights of the whole series.
October 26, 2020 @ 4:18 am
Glad to see Charlie, get this while he is still here to enjoy it.
October 26, 2020 @ 5:29 am
Long overdue, he is a country music legend
.
I always listen to his music. Kudos
October 26, 2020 @ 6:52 am
Didn’t mean to misspell your name, Charley.
October 26, 2020 @ 8:45 am
Best living legend in country music today.
No contest.
October 26, 2020 @ 9:14 am
I’m not sure how Kenny Rogers or Kris Kristofferson received one before Charley, but okay. This is long overdue, and there is no one better to receive it.
Loretta Lynn should be next.
October 26, 2020 @ 9:18 am
right on ….terrific news .
shameless promotion: Charley has just recorded ” Geechee Kinda Night ” written by a friend with the demo recorded here at our studio several years ago . Thrilled for Charley …thrilled for my friend . AND ..its a terrific song ….anxiously looking forward to hearing Charley’s version….
October 26, 2020 @ 9:31 am
A Honky comment from years ago about Pride:
“For Country Music purists like myself, Charley is held in even higher regard than Willie, on the totem pole. I mention Willie here, because most on this site regard Willie as the greatest legend left alive, but for me it’s Charley.
As great as Charley is, he might even be underrated, because he is unapologetically country, and never tried to appeal to anyone but Country fans. To gain uppity “Rolling Stone” type fans, you have to be considered “edgy”. Charley ain’t edgy; he’s just country as cornbread. I love cornbread and Charley Pride.”
Honky nailed it, IMO.
October 26, 2020 @ 9:32 am
Constantly in my playlist rotation, and always will be.
Some music and singers get old. Charley Pride is timeless.
October 27, 2020 @ 4:21 am
He was the first American country music artist I ever interviewed way back in 1980. I was nervous and I guess he knew it but he went out of his way to make things as easy for me as possible. Met him a few times after that when he toured here in the UK and he was just so easy to get along with. Got the greatest respect for his music and himself. Well deserves this award.
October 27, 2020 @ 7:43 am
Congratulations to you Sir. No better person is worthy of receiving this award but Mr. Charlie Pride. I grew up listening to his music back in the 70s. He was the one who got me interested in country music. The first time I heard his golden voice I was hook. To this day I still have many of his LP’S in my collection. My dream was to meet him in person but that has not yet happen and I’m still hoping to meet him before we leave this earth. When he went to Barbados some years ago I lost the opportunity to meet him as I was not in the Island at the time but I’m still looking forward to meeting him hopefully soon. Sir I solute you for your hard work, accomplishments and achievements. I’m so happy that you are alive to see this happen. You sure deserve it more than anything. It’s so hard for people of color to be recognize for their hard work dedication and contribution to the world, but you made it. Enjoy the moment to the fullest. Just wish I could’ve been there to celebrate with you and to finally get my dream come true. All the best as you continue to use your golden voice to uplift others. PS. I’m waiting to hear you make another gospel album soon. Before the snake crawl at night or your ring hurts my finger. May God continue to bless you as you continue on life’s pathway. Much LOVE.
October 27, 2020 @ 1:19 pm
Congrats,Mr. Pride,you’re my favourite Country singer ever !!! Too bad you aren’t still recording !!!!! You’d teach these young “cowboys” a thing or a million !!!
October 27, 2020 @ 7:57 pm
Mr. Pride is a great singer. Love his body of work. The Faron Young Charlie Pride story is a great one.