Another country music star has passed away from the deadly COVID-19 virus this year. Dolly Parton is opening up about the tragic news.
Charley Pride died today at age 86. He reportedly passed away from complications due to COVID-19 in Dallas, Texas.
Prior to his death Pride received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards last month.
“The best I can say is I wanna go and receive this and put it with all the rest that I’ve been fortunate enough to get. And enjoy it,” Pride said to The Tennessean.
Dolly Parton and Charley Pride
Now, Dolly Parton, a long-time friend of Pride, is speaking up about his death and his impact.
Parton said that she is “heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19.”
She went on to say, “Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans.”
Pride is country music’s first African American superstar. He had 29 No.1 hits between 1969 and 1983. He also earned the CMA Entertainer of the Year award in 1971.
Pride was signed by Jack Clement in 1966, right in the heat of the Civil Rights Movement. He was with RCA records for years, releasing hit after hit. However, in 1985, he had a very public falling out with the label. He said they were not giving him the same attention as they were giving new, young artists. He continued to record with smaller labels.
Dolly Parton and Charley Pride were more than just longstanding friends. The two also collaborated on music.
Most notably, the two performed “God’s Coloring Book” together. They sang this duet on Pride’s 2006 album “Pride & Joy: A Gospel Collection.” While Pride was initially nervous to ask Parton to sing her song, she was already a huge fan after recording his hit “Just Between You And Me.”
