It is generally believed that country music is not a genre which Black people play. This view, however, is somewhat mistaken, as over the years there have been a number of African American country singers. This article will examine the careers of three Black musicians who have made a national impact in the USA, and attained a measure of fame for their work.
The name of Charley Pride continues to resonate through country music to this day, with the singer's peak period in the 1970s seeing him become RCA's best selling artist since the great Elvis Presley. Pride, a former professional baseball player, was only the second African American artist to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. He is still highly regarded by music fans across the world, too.
Pride was originally marked out for a career as a professional baseball player, but an injury contributed to him drifting out of the game at a young age. Sport's loss would be music's gain, however, and Pride, after a few years as a professional musician, would be signed up by RCA records. His first recordings were made at Sun Studios, and his real success, in chart terms, would be reached in the late 1960s and on into the 1970s.
Pride has now sold around 70 million records, and he continues to make public appearances, maintaining his strong connection with baseball, in particular the Texas Rangers team. Other sporting occasions he has graced include the Super Bowl of 2010, when he sang the Star Spangled Banner. Pride was not the first African American to be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, however.
The first Black musician to be inducted into this genre of music's most venerable institution was DeFord Bailey, a grandson of slaves who was born into poverty in 1899. Known as a harmonica and blues harp artist, rather than a singer as such, his contribution to this genre of music is immense. A proponent of country blues, his musical career stretched from the 1920s into the 1940s, sadly, after that, he went back to shining shoes for a living.
Bailey died in 1982, and is an obscure figure to many fans of this genre of music these days. Although he died in 1982, he his career was marked and commemorated before his passing. Bailey was often the victim of less enlightened attitudes towards his racial origins at times in his musical career.
A more contemporary artist who has enjoyed huge commercial success in this genre is Darius Rucker. The former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish has moved on from the alternative rock of his earlier career, to become a star in country music. As well as his number one singles, Rucker enjoys a close friendship with golf professional Tiger Woods.
African American country singers have therefore contributed to the development of the genre in significant ways. While not that well-known generally, the there artists here have all enjoyed considerable success at times in their careers. Their music will continue to resonate through the ages.
The name of Charley Pride continues to resonate through country music to this day, with the singer's peak period in the 1970s seeing him become RCA's best selling artist since the great Elvis Presley. Pride, a former professional baseball player, was only the second African American artist to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. He is still highly regarded by music fans across the world, too.
Pride was originally marked out for a career as a professional baseball player, but an injury contributed to him drifting out of the game at a young age. Sport's loss would be music's gain, however, and Pride, after a few years as a professional musician, would be signed up by RCA records. His first recordings were made at Sun Studios, and his real success, in chart terms, would be reached in the late 1960s and on into the 1970s.
Pride has now sold around 70 million records, and he continues to make public appearances, maintaining his strong connection with baseball, in particular the Texas Rangers team. Other sporting occasions he has graced include the Super Bowl of 2010, when he sang the Star Spangled Banner. Pride was not the first African American to be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, however.
The first Black musician to be inducted into this genre of music's most venerable institution was DeFord Bailey, a grandson of slaves who was born into poverty in 1899. Known as a harmonica and blues harp artist, rather than a singer as such, his contribution to this genre of music is immense. A proponent of country blues, his musical career stretched from the 1920s into the 1940s, sadly, after that, he went back to shining shoes for a living.
Bailey died in 1982, and is an obscure figure to many fans of this genre of music these days. Although he died in 1982, he his career was marked and commemorated before his passing. Bailey was often the victim of less enlightened attitudes towards his racial origins at times in his musical career.
A more contemporary artist who has enjoyed huge commercial success in this genre is Darius Rucker. The former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish has moved on from the alternative rock of his earlier career, to become a star in country music. As well as his number one singles, Rucker enjoys a close friendship with golf professional Tiger Woods.
African American country singers have therefore contributed to the development of the genre in significant ways. While not that well-known generally, the there artists here have all enjoyed considerable success at times in their careers. Their music will continue to resonate through the ages.
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