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.
Perhaps the best known Black singer in this particular genre is Charley Pride, a man who became the RCA label's top selling artist since Elvis Presley, when he was at his performing peak in the early to mid-1970s. Pride was only the second Black artist to be inducted in the Grand Ole Opry. This is a mark of the respect in which he was held by the wider musical community.
Pride had begun his working life as a baseball player, but an injury contributed to a decline in his abilities in this area, and he became a musician instead in the early 1960s. His first recordings were undertaken at the famous Sun Studios in Nashville, and he signed for the RCA label in 1965. The late 1960s and early 70s would see Pride attain national fame in the United States, with a run of big charting hits, including 'Just Between You and Me'.
This star has sold an eye-watering 70 million records, an amazing total. As well as his musical career, Pride also retains strong links with baseball, and is particularly associated with the Texas Rangers. He also sang the National Anthem of the United States, the Star Spangled Banner, at the Super Bowl of 2010, and although he would become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he was not the first African American to do so.
DeFord Bailey is probably not a name many country music fans are that familiar with these days, but he is an important figure in the genre. The grandson of slaves, Bailey was born in 1899, in a very poor part of Smith County, Tennessee. His professional career as a harmonica player would last from the early 1920s until 1941, when he would embark on a more mundane career as the owner of shoe shine shop.
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 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.
It can therefore be seen that African American country singers are more common than many people realize. They have also exerted a positive, creative effect on the music. Hopefully their legacy will live for many years to come.
Perhaps the best known Black singer in this particular genre is Charley Pride, a man who became the RCA label's top selling artist since Elvis Presley, when he was at his performing peak in the early to mid-1970s. Pride was only the second Black artist to be inducted in the Grand Ole Opry. This is a mark of the respect in which he was held by the wider musical community.
Pride had begun his working life as a baseball player, but an injury contributed to a decline in his abilities in this area, and he became a musician instead in the early 1960s. His first recordings were undertaken at the famous Sun Studios in Nashville, and he signed for the RCA label in 1965. The late 1960s and early 70s would see Pride attain national fame in the United States, with a run of big charting hits, including 'Just Between You and Me'.
This star has sold an eye-watering 70 million records, an amazing total. As well as his musical career, Pride also retains strong links with baseball, and is particularly associated with the Texas Rangers. He also sang the National Anthem of the United States, the Star Spangled Banner, at the Super Bowl of 2010, and although he would become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he was not the first African American to do so.
DeFord Bailey is probably not a name many country music fans are that familiar with these days, but he is an important figure in the genre. The grandson of slaves, Bailey was born in 1899, in a very poor part of Smith County, Tennessee. His professional career as a harmonica player would last from the early 1920s until 1941, when he would embark on a more mundane career as the owner of shoe shine shop.
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 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.
It can therefore be seen that African American country singers are more common than many people realize. They have also exerted a positive, creative effect on the music. Hopefully their legacy will live for many years to come.
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