Thanks to Charley Pride, many generations became fans of country music. However, it was in the early to mid- 70s that he rose to fame. There was no country music fan at that time who was not aware of Charley and his songs. He is known as the first black country music superstar. truly, he broke the boundaries and flew beyond limits. He was born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi. Nobody could imagine that a boy with a sharecropping background could go on to achieve extraordinary in his life.
1934 was the time of the Great Depression when inhabitants of the town of Sledge suffered greatly. Charley and his family went through every shade of poverty and debt. Charley got mature at a very young age when he was determined not to follow the path of sharecropping. He told his father, “I just don’t want to be a cotton picker, Daddy.” He played baseball in sandlots and makeshift fields near corn and soybean plots. He had natural skills for Baseball.
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Charley Pride’s Career
He was among the few African-Americans who got success in Country music. His songs, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin” and “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” are timeless. He went on to win the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award in 1971. Charley released his debut album, “Country by Charley,” in 1966 and earned his name in the industry. However, it was his 1967 single “Just Between You and Me” that let the world know that he is going to be a star. It made its place on the Billboard country singles chart. After that, he became the hit machine with his many songs, becoming #1 on the billboard’s chart. Charley released his final album, “Music in My Heart,” in 2017, which was the 47th album of his long and marvelous career.
What Is The Net Worth Of Charley Pride?
You will be shocked after knowing the net worth of Charley Pride. Charley Pride’s net worth is estimated to be $80 million at the time of his death. The major part of his earnings came from his musical career as a country music singer and musician. Some part of his net worth constitutes his earnings from his Baseball career and later from owning Baseball teams. The musician remained the second best-selling performer on RCA records for several years after Elvis.
Before turning to music, he had some endeavors. Pride has a record of serving in the army before becoming a professional baseball player. This hardworking musician used to work at a smelting plant during the day to manage his expenses. He chose nights to practice Baseball. The practice done in darkness made his future bright. Also, he used to get $10 apart from his salary from the team to sing the national anthem before games. The young musician was discovered while singing in the local bars. Indeed, talent can never be hidden. And due to his extraordinary singing, Charley signed a contract with RCA records in 1963.
A career as a musician was his true calling. He became the minority owner of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team in 2000. He received the Country Music Associations Lifetime Achievement Award just weeks prior to his death due to covid 19 complications. Some people argued that Charley contracted the virus because many people at the event were not wearing masks.
