There’s no doubt that the influence of Charley Pride will stay in country music forever. George Strait, a legend, takes time to honor him.
Pride, who died on Saturday at age 86 from coronavirus complications, received a kind, compassionate tribute from Strait on Sunday.
He writes a personal Instagram message as well as on Twitter. Strait signs it with “gs,” letting his fans know that the message comes from Strait himself.
Strait shares a photo of himself, Pride, and Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers Band on his posts.
Strait, whose name has become synonymous with “real country” since his 1981 debut, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
He is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and has sold more than 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards.
Charley Pride Expresses High Praise For Strait
There was a lot or mutual respect between Pride and Strait both in the country music business and life, too.
In a 2016 interview with Billboard, Pride was asked what he thought about today’s country music and its performers.
“It’s alright, but I’d like for it to still be a little more traditional, like myself,” Pride said. “I think it will revert to that sound soon — at least, more than it does now. From the ones who influenced me — Bill Monroe and Ernest Tubb — I take it all the way up to George Strait, and that’s who I consider to be last of the traditional guys.
“But I don’t kick success, you know? My policy is if you can’t say something good about something, don’t say nothing. And I haven’t said anything bad about anybody,” Pride said.
Pride Remained True To That Classic Country Sound
Pride, in his recordings, stayed true to that classic country sound so many people grew up hearing in the music of Monroe, Tubb, Buck Owens, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and others.
He lived for many years in Texas and was a regular performer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the United States’ largest rodeos.
His career is one that many can look at and see a man who didn’t switch styles to match the times.
When mentioning traditional country music, one cannot leave out “The Man In Black” himself, Johnny Cash. One time, Cash had Pride on as a guest for his ABC television show.
Here’s a clip of Cash and Pride singing a medley of songs dedicated to the Lone Star State.