Charley Pride

Country singer Charley Pride bought a $10 guitar from the Sears catalog at age 14 and learned to play country music because his dad loved the Grand Ole Opry. ∙ In 1967, he was the first Black solo singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry—and he’s still just one of three Black musicians who have been invited to become members. ∙ When his song “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” hit No. 1 in 1969, he was the first Black artist in 25 years to top the US Country charts. ∙ “All His Children,” which he recorded for the 1971 Paul Newman-directed film, Sometimes a Great Notion, was nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar. ∙ With 29 No. 1 Country hits, including “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” and “I’m Just Me,” he is the second-best-selling RCA Records artist, behind only Elvis Presley. ∙ Pride was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. ∙ In 2020, he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.