MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Barnett, Jordan, DeLano, Carter, Tate, McDaniel, Simmons (12th), Norwood, Caughman, Blackmon, Wiggins, Moran, Thomas, Butler, Williams, Blount, Hopson, McMahan, Michel, Harkins, Kirby, Turner-Ford, Seymour, Suber, England, Hill, Younger, Blackwell, Sojourner, Branning, McLendon, Boyd, Simmons (13th), Sparks, Witherspoon, Thompson, Frazier, Chassaniol, Barrett, DeBar, McCaughn, Chism, Horhn, Whaley
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY AND CAREER OF PIONEERING COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR CHARLEY PRIDE FROM SLEDGE, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY.
WHEREAS, we join country music fans around the world in mourning the passing of pioneering country music legend Charley Pride from Sledge, Mississippi, who passed away on December 12, 2020, at age 86. Charley Pride was celebrated as country music's first African American superstar; and
WHEREAS, Charley Pride was the country music genre's first African American star, with 30 No. 1 songs on the country charts during a legendary career; and
WHEREAS, he was a great athlete growing up, a star pitcher and two-time All-Star for Memphis in the Negro Leagues. Injuries ended his baseball dreams and he turned to a career in country music. The baritone went to Nashville, and after a while he was signed to Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and first hit the charts in 1966 with "Just Between Me and You." Pride would become a top-selling star whose hits include the enduring 1971 song "Kiss an Angel Good Morning"; and
WHEREAS, he won three Grammys and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Pride had just received a lifetime achievement award November 11, 2020, on live television at the Country Music Association Awards and performed on that show. He also took home the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and sang "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin" with Jimmie Allen. It was his final performance. The CMAs are the most revered of the Nashville industry awards shows and in 1971, Pride won Entertainer of the Year, the show's highest honor; and
WHEREAS, "I'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away," said Dolly Parton. "Charley, we will always love you." Reba McEntire said "Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart." Billy Ray Cyrus called him a "gentleman...legend and true trail blazer"; and
WHEREAS, Pride was born a sharecropper's son in Sledge, Mississippi, joined the Army, worked at a smelting plant and tried to break into big league baseball, ending up as a pitcher for a New York Yankees' farm team before an injury sidelined his diamond dreams. Ken Burns' Public Broadcasting Service Documentary Series "Country Music" quoted Pride as saying he was inspired by baseball great Jackie Robinson's major league breakthrough. Charley Pride was a trailblazer whose remarkable voice and generous spirit broke down barriers in country music just as his hero Jackie Robinson had in baseball; and
WHEREAS, Pride moved to Nashville in 1963 to make music. From then until 1987, he performed on 52 Top 10 hits. He was RCA's top-selling country artist. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. In his memoir, Pride wrote, "We're not color blind yet, but we've advanced a few paces along the path and I like to think I've contributed something to that process"; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Rozene, three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren;
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most talented and public-spirited country music legend who brought honor to his home-state and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known his wisdom and talent:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the memory and career of pioneering country music superstar Charley Pride from Sledge, Mississippi, and extend deepest sympathy to his bereaved family.
be it further resolved, that this resolution be transmitted to the surviving family of Charley Pride, forwarded to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.