Posted on 03/24/2011 9:25:52 AM PDT by GSWarrior
Without doubt, Charley Pride is one of the most respected and successful personas in all of country music. After all, it was the three-time Grammy winner who made music history when his 1969 classic "All I Have To Offer You Is Me," bolted to the top of the US Country chart, making him the first African American in country music to land a No. 1 hit. To date, the multi-platinum selling Pride holds 36 No. 1 hits and has sold more than 70 million records (albums and singles combined).
On March 8, 2011, Pride releases Choices (Music City Records), his first all-new album in five years.
Choices are exactly what fans will get on the diverse album, which features 13 new recordings. Album cuts include songs penned by some of Pride's favorite writers including Ted Harris ("Crystal Chandeliers"), Ben Peters ("Kiss An Angel Good Morning"), Charlie Monk, Eddy Raven and Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar.
"I've been in the studio a lot over the last few years. So, I had to make some hard choices when selecting which of the new recordings to include on the album," notes Pride. "I'm very happy with the final result and I'm thrilled to finally be able to share some of the new music with my fans."
On the road, the Country Music Hall of Famer shows no signs of slowing down as he kicks off an 11-city tour of Canada starting April 27 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
In addition to maintaining a healthy tour schedule, Pride, who recently acquired part ownership of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, is currently in Surprise, AZ, keeping himself and the team both in shape and entertained. Ownership stake aside, it is a long-standing tradition for Pride, a former Negro American League All-Star player, to workout with the Rangers during spring training.
From humble beginnings as a sharecropper's son, to becoming one of country music's greatest pioneers, the "Pride of Country Music" is the first and only African American Grand Ole Opry member in its over 70 year history. Pride's accolades are endless with multiple Grammy wins, CMA Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist awards, a Country Music Hall of Fame induction and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
For additional information on Charley Pride, visit www.charleypride.com or www.facebook.com/charleypride.
I don’t think you’ll find a more perfect example of country and western music than Mr. Pride’s rendition of “All I Have to Offer You is Me.” Superb!
Yes, it was Charley Rich.
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