Country music is not a genre which is usually associated with the Black community in the United States of America. To think that there are no African American country singers who have enjoyed success would be mistaken, though. Over the years, there have been a few shining examples of Black artists making a success of this type of music; this article will take a look at three of them.
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 did not necessarily set out to be a musician, with sport, namely baseball, being his early passion in life. His career as a professional player was stalled, at least in part, by injury, though, so he began his musical career in the early 1960s, instead. His first recordings would be made at Sun Studios in Nashville, while the peak of his career, after signing for RCA, would come in the late 60s and early 1970s, when he would enjoy a massive run of hits.
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.
Many fans of this genre of music do perhaps know the name DeFord Bailey, but he was the first Black man to make into the Grand Ole Opry. Bailey was born in Tennessee in 1899, into a poor family, and was the grandson of slaves. Known primarily as a musician who specialized in the harmonic or blues harp, his career would last from the 1920s until 1941, when he swapped careers, and ran a shoe shine business.
Regarded as something of a 'lost legend' of the genre, Bailey had to battle against racial prejudice to get his music heard. Although not necessarily that well known these days, his contribution to the genre cannot be overstated. Thankfully, before his death in 1982, he had been remembered and his career celebrated and commemorated.
A third African American who has made an impact in the world of country music is Darius Rucker, the former lead singer of 90s act Hootie and the Blowfish. While they were known as alternative rockers, Rucker is now very much a country artist, with several big hits to his name. Rucker is also known for being a personal friend of star golfer 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 did not necessarily set out to be a musician, with sport, namely baseball, being his early passion in life. His career as a professional player was stalled, at least in part, by injury, though, so he began his musical career in the early 1960s, instead. His first recordings would be made at Sun Studios in Nashville, while the peak of his career, after signing for RCA, would come in the late 60s and early 1970s, when he would enjoy a massive run of hits.
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.
Many fans of this genre of music do perhaps know the name DeFord Bailey, but he was the first Black man to make into the Grand Ole Opry. Bailey was born in Tennessee in 1899, into a poor family, and was the grandson of slaves. Known primarily as a musician who specialized in the harmonic or blues harp, his career would last from the 1920s until 1941, when he swapped careers, and ran a shoe shine business.
Regarded as something of a 'lost legend' of the genre, Bailey had to battle against racial prejudice to get his music heard. Although not necessarily that well known these days, his contribution to the genre cannot be overstated. Thankfully, before his death in 1982, he had been remembered and his career celebrated and commemorated.
A third African American who has made an impact in the world of country music is Darius Rucker, the former lead singer of 90s act Hootie and the Blowfish. While they were known as alternative rockers, Rucker is now very much a country artist, with several big hits to his name. Rucker is also known for being a personal friend of star golfer 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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