Charley Pride Sings The Hits

Charley Pride led a super interesting life. In 1952 he was a pitcher in the Negro American League. When he played for the Louisville Clippers they traded him and Jesse Mitchell to the Birmingham Black Barons for a bus. Yeah, a bus. 

On the side, he sang a little bit, and got paid to sing before games, while being a 2x all star. In 56 he gets drafted to the US Army. In 58, he just didn’t have it anymore, gave up on making it to the Major Leagues and retired from baseball and got a job as a smelter, but he still sang a little bit. 

Later in 58 he finally goes to Sun Studio in Memphis and records some songs. He toured Black night clubs throughout the south and Midwest until Chet Atkins at RCA signed him to a deal. First two singles, didn’t chart but then he blew up and fans didn’t know he was Black until they showed up. But the music was so good they didn’t care. Eventually he became part owner of the Texas Rangers before he died, so he did make it to the Majors. From a side hustle to a career. Charlie Pride is proof you should never let your dreams die.