Why Charley Pride Took So Long to Become a Grand Ole Opry Member
30 years ago today—May 1st 1993—Charley Pride took the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as he had done many times before, but this time it was special.
Charley Pride
Charley Pride Statue Unveiled at the Ryman Auditorium
A life-sized likeness of Charley Pride now adorns the grounds of the Country Music Mother Church in Nashville, a.k.a. The Ryman Auditorium where the Grand Ole Opry was held for many years. A Grand Ole Opry member, Pride’s bronze statue now joins other iconic Opry stars Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn…
The Legendary Longhorn Ballroom Finally Sets Re-Opening
The Longhorn Ballroom was one of the most important venues in country music for many years. When it opened in 1950, it was known as Bob Wills’ Ranch House, and was one of the major venues in Western Swing. It was also once operated by Jack Ruby.
Amazon’s ‘For Love & Country’ Film Erases Critical Black Legacies
Though the film means well, and is generally well-made with superb cinematography and high production value, the approach and information conveyed in the film is problematic to say the least, actively participating in erasing the legacy of Black country artists in a film that purports to be championing them.
Ameripolitan Awards Announce Return for 2023
Ameripolitan has been mothballed for the last couple of years, with a few fearing if it would ever return. Well just announced, the Ameripolitan Awards, as well as a weekend full of events will return to Memphis. Nominations are now open for the awards.
After Dolly Parton, What Country Artists Are Next for Rock Hall?
Dolly Parton will be one of the next inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The next question is how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will consider country performers for induction moving forward. This moment presents a slippery slope.
The Judds Induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame IN FULL
Since the Hall of Fame continues to not allow for public broadcast of the ceremony, fans of The Judds and other inductees have been mostly resigned to piecing together the events. But luckily, a full video of The Judds induction has emerged.
Triumphant Update #100 to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist
When this playlist was first started as a simple collection point for the top songs in the current moment in country, who knew it would still be around nearly five years later, and garner over 7,700 followers on Spotify alone? Since then it’s helped launch songs and artists.
25 Years Ago: Pioneering Black Country Artist Stoney Edwards Dies
Stoney’s career may have not been Hall of Fame worthy, but releasing six albums on a major country music label, and scoring Top 20 hits dispels the idea that the contributions of black artists in country music was resigned to just one individual.
George Strait Producer and Songwriter Blake Mevis Has Died
Blake Mevis was responsible in part not just for one Hall of Fame career being launched into the country music stratosphere, but two. As the guy who introduced country music legend and Hall of Famer George Strait to now Country Music Hall of Famer Dean Dillon.
Forgiveness For Me But Not For Thee: On Jason Isbell & George Jones
Just like so many of the characters in today’s popular music space, Jason Isbell has transformed from one of the most universally-revered independent artists of our time, to being reviled by large swaths of the listening population for his active and often ostentatious displays.
Dallas Frazier, Writer of ‘Elvira’ and So Many More, Has Died
Before you can write it, you first have to live it. And Dallas Frazier lived many lives in his lifetime, putting it all in song along the way, and amassing one of the most legendary song catalogs in country music history, while also enjoying moments as a singer and a performer.
Dennis Quaid Sets Production for Charley Pride ‘American Pride’ Biopic
No, Dennis Quaid is not playing Charley Pride. That might ask the audience to suspend disbelief a little too much. But Dennis Quaid’s passion to bring a biopic film to life about the life of country legend Charley Pride is moving forward, with Quaid forming a production company.
25 Years Ago: Forgotten by Country, Faron Young Takes His Own Life
On December 9th, 1996, with his career forgotten and his health failing, Faron Young decided to end his own life. He penned a suicide note specifically enumerating the decline in his career, and how he felt abandoned and forgotten by country music as one of the causes
Charlie Pride’s Extramarital Son Revealed in New Lawsuit
A new lawsuit filed in the Dallas County Probate Court in Texas has revealed that Pride had a fourth child from an extramarital and interracial relationship that was kept quiet for decades. 41-year-old Tyler Tines Pride is a police officer from Tyler, Texas.
Texas Rangers Dedicate Baseball Field to Charley Pride
Charley Pride was a legend in country music, but he was also a legend on the baseball diamond. No, he didn’t set any home run records, and his stint in the major leagues was fleeting. But his legacy looms large there as well, especially with the Texas Rangers.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Deep Appreciation for Country Music
The last decade or so has been a slow and strange awakening to the very unexpected, but also super cool relationship that actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has enjoyed with country music, from shouting out artists, being cast to play Charley Pride.
In Memoriam: Country Music’s Fallen Greats of 2020
As bad as 2020 has been for just about everything, believe it or not, country music got it worse than just about every other segment of music, entertainment, sports, etc. when it came to both the amount, and the major names that passed away in the last 12 months.
Dennis Quaid Finally Bringing Charley Pride Biopic to Life
The long-rumored Charley Pride biopic movie is finally on the way. First announced in 2006 with actor Terrance Howard cast as Pride, then announced later in 2011 with “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson to portray Pride, script issues, production issues, and other problems resulted in delays.
Charley Pride Manager Says CMA Critics “Crusading to Stir Up Mud”
“Every precaution was taken. I think it’s unfortunate that people are out there crusading to stir up some mud. Because I really don’t think the CMAs were negligent in any way. Every time we darkened the door, we got tested,” says Charley Pride’s longtime manager, bass player, and close friend.
CMAs Issue Statement After Concerns Over the Death of Charley Pride
Country legend Charlie Pride passed away on Saturday, December 12th due to complications from COVID-19, his family and representative have confirmed. Amid his death, much speculation arose of where Charley Pride may have contracted the virus, and if it was at the 2020 CMA Awards on November 11th
Pioneering Country Legend Charley Pride Has Died
Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and pioneering black country artist Charley Pride has passed away due to complications of COVID-19. He died on December 12th at the age of 86 in Dallas, TX. Born in Sledge, Mississippi as the forth child of 11 children to a sharecropper.
Album Review – Garth Brooks – “Fun”
It’s not that ‘Fun’ isn’t without it’s moments. But Garth Brooks is too much of a cheeseball, and too surrounded by yes men to be given the reigns to produce his own stuff. Or what you get is a record like ‘Fun.’
The 2020 CMA Awards Will Be a Tribute Heavy Affair
The 2020 CMA Awards will transpire on Wednesday, November 11th (make sure to follow along with Saving Country Music’s LIVE blog), and this year it will be a tribute heavy affair. Tributes, remembrances, and the marking of anniversaries will be a big part of the presentation.