Do you know which Mississippi-born singer is the second biggest selling artist on the RCA label after Elvis Presley? Here's a hint: he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Give up?
It's Charley Pride. A black American. After failing to make it as a professional baseball player, Pride decided to dedicate his life to forging a career in country music. Now at 67-years of age, he has had more than 36 number one country singles, including Kiss An Angel Good Morning and Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone. He is an artist who, since the 60s, has sold over 70 million records around the world during his career. Pride is a celebrated musician and singer who this year, celebrates 40 years in the music industry. Although black musicians have been playing country since the 1920s and 30s, including performing on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, no other African-American, before or since, has managed to continue breaking down the barriers in country music and achieve the big time success Pride enjoyed.
Some wonder, how did Pride do it? In part, his record label used smart, if not controversial, marketing tactics. For example, his record label's initial promotional materials purposely lacked photos of Pride. This, they hoped, would avoid discouraging white audiences, promoters, and DJs. In fact, it wasn't until his third album that the face of Charley Pride was revealed to the world. But by this time, he had earned fans all across the U.S. and abroad. And at concerts, Charley Pride says, “Once people heard my singing they said they didn't care if I was green.”
So, why haven't there been more famous black country music singers and stars?
Well, it certainly isn't from lack of desire. Many black singers and musicians claim they've pursued country music only to find doors slammed in their faces once they show up to meet with execs at record labels. Music Journalist Martin Hodgson explains why this is so: “When you speak to black musicians, you hear stories about them sending off their demo tapes to a record company. The record company says ‘come in’, but when they turn up and they see that the singer is black, a certain coolness enters the whole conversation.”
And, it certainly isn't from lack of an audience. Many whites claim they would welcome black country singers who adhered to the traditional country music style. And many blacks, including those from the Caribbean and from certain African countries like Kenya, love country music. Yes, even in the U.S., there's a silent group of closet country music lovers which includes black Americans. In fact, a poll taken in the 90s found that 25% of African-Americans listen to and enjoy country music.
Identifying an opportunity to evolve the face and color of country music while opening doors for African-American singers, a Nashville-based Black Country Music Association (BCMA) was established in 1997. Up ‘til now, it has met with limited success.
Article Continues: Read A Brief History of Black Americans in Country Music <!--/gc-->
Give up?
It's Charley Pride. A black American. After failing to make it as a professional baseball player, Pride decided to dedicate his life to forging a career in country music. Now at 67-years of age, he has had more than 36 number one country singles, including Kiss An Angel Good Morning and Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone. He is an artist who, since the 60s, has sold over 70 million records around the world during his career. Pride is a celebrated musician and singer who this year, celebrates 40 years in the music industry. Although black musicians have been playing country since the 1920s and 30s, including performing on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, no other African-American, before or since, has managed to continue breaking down the barriers in country music and achieve the big time success Pride enjoyed.
Some wonder, how did Pride do it? In part, his record label used smart, if not controversial, marketing tactics. For example, his record label's initial promotional materials purposely lacked photos of Pride. This, they hoped, would avoid discouraging white audiences, promoters, and DJs. In fact, it wasn't until his third album that the face of Charley Pride was revealed to the world. But by this time, he had earned fans all across the U.S. and abroad. And at concerts, Charley Pride says, “Once people heard my singing they said they didn't care if I was green.”
So, why haven't there been more famous black country music singers and stars?
Well, it certainly isn't from lack of desire. Many black singers and musicians claim they've pursued country music only to find doors slammed in their faces once they show up to meet with execs at record labels. Music Journalist Martin Hodgson explains why this is so: “When you speak to black musicians, you hear stories about them sending off their demo tapes to a record company. The record company says ‘come in’, but when they turn up and they see that the singer is black, a certain coolness enters the whole conversation.”
And, it certainly isn't from lack of an audience. Many whites claim they would welcome black country singers who adhered to the traditional country music style. And many blacks, including those from the Caribbean and from certain African countries like Kenya, love country music. Yes, even in the U.S., there's a silent group of closet country music lovers which includes black Americans. In fact, a poll taken in the 90s found that 25% of African-Americans listen to and enjoy country music.
Identifying an opportunity to evolve the face and color of country music while opening doors for African-American singers, a Nashville-based Black Country Music Association (BCMA) was established in 1997. Up ‘til now, it has met with limited success.
Article Continues: Read A Brief History of Black Americans in Country Music <!--/gc-->
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-09-22-rucker-hootie-country_N.htm?csp=34
Before this week, only two black singers had topped the country singles charts: Ray Charles and Charley Pride.
Now, Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker joins that exclusive list, as his Don't Think I Don't Think About It goes No. 1 on USA TODAY's country singles airplay chart.
LISTEN: Check out a clip of 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It'
Charles was the last black artist to have a No. 1 country single. His Seven Spanish Angels duet with Willie Nelson topped the charts in March 1985. Pride, a Country Music Hall of Famer, had more than two dozen No. 1 hits. His last, Night Games, reached the top slot 25 years ago this week.
"It's awesome, and I can't believe it's happening, but I didn't make the record for that stuff," says Rucker, 42, whose Learn to Live album is expected to land atop the country albums chart this week, as well. "I just wanted to make a record that people wanted to listen to."
Rucker grew up in South Carolina listening to a broad range of music, including country. He says demos of the hits he wrote for Hootie often had a country feel.
Hootie & the Blowfish sold 16 million copies of 1994 debut album Cracked Rear View. Hits like Hold My Hand and Let Her Cry, along with Sheryl Crow's early singles, often were credited with luring fans away from country stations and ending a long boom period for the country format. "Those two artists put the pop back into pop radio," says Capitol Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan.
Rucker's history as part of a pop act could have proved a bigger stumbling block to country success than his race.
Jewel and Jessica Simpson have found only moderate radio success with recent country singles. And Bon Jovi, which had a chart-topper in Who Says You Can't Go Home with Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, faltered with its own country singles.
To move Don't Think up the charts, Rucker had to win over skeptical programmers.
When Rucker visited WQYK-FM in Tampa, program director Mike Culotta expected an aloof rock star, "somebody who would have entitlement." Instead, he says, "Darius engaged everybody."
"He's doing what he always wanted to do. There's no way listeners don't hear that."
Rucker says he'll continue to perform with Hootie, "but as far as gigs and touring, I'm concentrating on this."
At some point, Hootie will record another album, "and I'm down for that, if the timing's right. But I'm a country singer. That's what I am now."
Before this week, only two black singers had topped the country singles charts: Ray Charles and Charley Pride.
Now, Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker joins that exclusive list, as his Don't Think I Don't Think About It goes No. 1 on USA TODAY's country singles airplay chart.
LISTEN: Check out a clip of 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It'
Charles was the last black artist to have a No. 1 country single. His Seven Spanish Angels duet with Willie Nelson topped the charts in March 1985. Pride, a Country Music Hall of Famer, had more than two dozen No. 1 hits. His last, Night Games, reached the top slot 25 years ago this week.
"It's awesome, and I can't believe it's happening, but I didn't make the record for that stuff," says Rucker, 42, whose Learn to Live album is expected to land atop the country albums chart this week, as well. "I just wanted to make a record that people wanted to listen to."
Rucker grew up in South Carolina listening to a broad range of music, including country. He says demos of the hits he wrote for Hootie often had a country feel.
Hootie & the Blowfish sold 16 million copies of 1994 debut album Cracked Rear View. Hits like Hold My Hand and Let Her Cry, along with Sheryl Crow's early singles, often were credited with luring fans away from country stations and ending a long boom period for the country format. "Those two artists put the pop back into pop radio," says Capitol Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan.
Rucker's history as part of a pop act could have proved a bigger stumbling block to country success than his race.
Jewel and Jessica Simpson have found only moderate radio success with recent country singles. And Bon Jovi, which had a chart-topper in Who Says You Can't Go Home with Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, faltered with its own country singles.
To move Don't Think up the charts, Rucker had to win over skeptical programmers.
When Rucker visited WQYK-FM in Tampa, program director Mike Culotta expected an aloof rock star, "somebody who would have entitlement." Instead, he says, "Darius engaged everybody."
"He's doing what he always wanted to do. There's no way listeners don't hear that."
Rucker says he'll continue to perform with Hootie, "but as far as gigs and touring, I'm concentrating on this."
At some point, Hootie will record another album, "and I'm down for that, if the timing's right. But I'm a country singer. That's what I am now."
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/04/02/edm-pride-tickets.html?link=rss
A woman in Leduc, Alta., got a huge surprise Thursday when country music legend Charley Pride showed up at her workplace to give her back the money she paid an online reseller for tickets to his Edmonton show.
Jacqueline Sharp, 58, paid $933 US for two tickets to Pride's June 20 show at Edmonton's Jubilee Auditorium.
After the case was brought to Pride's attention, he flew from Dallas to Leduc to reimburse her.
"I've always made sure that ... none of the promoters or whoever charge too much for my tickets from the very beginning of my career," he said. "It's just a matter of what's fair … I wouldn't want to pay this much money to see myself!"
In addition to the $933 US, Pride gave Sharp two front-row tickets to his Edmonton show.
Sharp bought the original tickets in January.
"I saw him back in 1970 in Red Deer, and I thought it would be a good thing to go and see him again," she said.
It was the first time she ever tried to buy tickets online.
After putting the words "Charlie Pride, Edmonton" into a search engine, she landed on a website.
According to her bill, the site was abstix.com, a website operated by Absolute Tickets Incorporated from Los Angeles, a company that is not affiliated with Ticketmaster or its resale affiliate, TicketsNow.
Her final bill was $1,210.71 Cdn.
According to Ticketmaster Canada, tickets for Pride's Edmonton show cost $58.50 and $67.50 before service charges.
Sharp's son, Jay Cole, said he had a hard time falling asleep that night after his mother told him how much she paid.
"I think it's wrong to ask that much for tickets," he said.
After his attempt to contact the company failed, Cole sent a note to Pride's website.
Early last week, he heard from Pride's office, and arrangements were made for the singer to show up in person and surprise Cole's mother.
"He can't get any bigger in my eyes," Sharp said after meeting the singer. "Whether he was here or not ... He's just a wonderful person. He's a great guy. I appreciate what he did, and I'll never forget it. "
"I'm just glad that I was able to do this," Pride said.
The prices charged on ticket resale sites have become a controversial issue among concertgoers.
In Canada, two law firms have launched class-action procedures against Ticketmaster and related parties in Ontario.
The firms say they represent people who bought tickets at inflated prices from TicketsNow after not being able to find tickets on Ticketmaster.
Earlier this year, more than 2,000 fans complained that attempts to buy tickets on Ticketmaster for a Bruce Springsteen concert in New Jersey directed them to TicketsNow, where the tickets were offered at allegedly inflated prices.
In a settlement with the state of New Jersey, which investigated the complaints, Ticketmaster agreed to reimburse the complainants and change how it sells tickets.
Ticketmaster has said in response to prior complaints that the company's ticket-selling system is fair and doesn't violate the law.
A woman in Leduc, Alta., got a huge surprise Thursday when country music legend Charley Pride showed up at her workplace to give her back the money she paid an online reseller for tickets to his Edmonton show.
Jacqueline Sharp, 58, paid $933 US for two tickets to Pride's June 20 show at Edmonton's Jubilee Auditorium.
After the case was brought to Pride's attention, he flew from Dallas to Leduc to reimburse her.
"I've always made sure that ... none of the promoters or whoever charge too much for my tickets from the very beginning of my career," he said. "It's just a matter of what's fair … I wouldn't want to pay this much money to see myself!"
In addition to the $933 US, Pride gave Sharp two front-row tickets to his Edmonton show.
Sharp bought the original tickets in January.
"I saw him back in 1970 in Red Deer, and I thought it would be a good thing to go and see him again," she said.
It was the first time she ever tried to buy tickets online.
After putting the words "Charlie Pride, Edmonton" into a search engine, she landed on a website.
According to her bill, the site was abstix.com, a website operated by Absolute Tickets Incorporated from Los Angeles, a company that is not affiliated with Ticketmaster or its resale affiliate, TicketsNow.
Her final bill was $1,210.71 Cdn.
According to Ticketmaster Canada, tickets for Pride's Edmonton show cost $58.50 and $67.50 before service charges.
Sharp's son, Jay Cole, said he had a hard time falling asleep that night after his mother told him how much she paid.
"I think it's wrong to ask that much for tickets," he said.
After his attempt to contact the company failed, Cole sent a note to Pride's website.
Early last week, he heard from Pride's office, and arrangements were made for the singer to show up in person and surprise Cole's mother.
"He can't get any bigger in my eyes," Sharp said after meeting the singer. "Whether he was here or not ... He's just a wonderful person. He's a great guy. I appreciate what he did, and I'll never forget it. "
"I'm just glad that I was able to do this," Pride said.
The prices charged on ticket resale sites have become a controversial issue among concertgoers.
In Canada, two law firms have launched class-action procedures against Ticketmaster and related parties in Ontario.
The firms say they represent people who bought tickets at inflated prices from TicketsNow after not being able to find tickets on Ticketmaster.
Earlier this year, more than 2,000 fans complained that attempts to buy tickets on Ticketmaster for a Bruce Springsteen concert in New Jersey directed them to TicketsNow, where the tickets were offered at allegedly inflated prices.
In a settlement with the state of New Jersey, which investigated the complaints, Ticketmaster agreed to reimburse the complainants and change how it sells tickets.
Ticketmaster has said in response to prior complaints that the company's ticket-selling system is fair and doesn't violate the law.
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its funny to see people question whether Charlie Pride was a star....back in the 70's he was huge......
I do believe Neal McCoy is philipino, but he has managed some strong success on the country charts..
Cowboy Troy has had some mild hits on his own, and much success with his part in "Save a horse, Ride a cowboy" by Big and Rich........he is a big dude too......
I do believe Neal McCoy is philipino, but he has managed some strong success on the country charts..
Cowboy Troy has had some mild hits on his own, and much success with his part in "Save a horse, Ride a cowboy" by Big and Rich........he is a big dude too......
Justin Trevino. A GREAT talent. Also Rick Trevino, probably a bigger star, but somewhat lesser talent IMO.
Also, I think the Mavericks are Cuban.
Big Al Downing was a black country singer who had some hits in the late 70s, most prominently "I'm in Trouble Come and Get Me Mr. Jones."
Also, I think the Mavericks are Cuban.
Big Al Downing was a black country singer who had some hits in the late 70s, most prominently "I'm in Trouble Come and Get Me Mr. Jones."
