Charley Frank Pride was born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi, as the fourth of eleven children in a sharecropping family. His early life was marked by dreams of escaping the cotton fields, inspired by figures like Jackie Robinson. At 16, Pride began a career in baseball, playing for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro Leagues and later for various minor league teams, including a stint with a New York Yankees farm team. An injury curtailed his baseball ambitions, but it was during his time with the East Helena Smelterites in Montana that Pride began singing in local bars, showcasing his deep, resonant voice and love for country music.

Pride's musical career took off in Nashville, where producer Cowboy Jack Clement recognized his talent. Despite initial reluctance from record labels due to racial prejudices, Chet Atkins of RCA Records championed Pride's music, leading to his first singles being released without mention of his race. His single "Just Between You and Me" reached No. 10 on the country charts, launching his career. His most famous hit, "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," topped the country charts and crossed over to the pop market.

Charley Pride became the first black member of the Grand Ole Opry since DeFord Bailey and the first black artist to have a number one country record. He was a trailblazer in country music, achieving 29 No. 1 country hits, 52 Top 10s, and twelve gold albums. Pride won the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year award two consecutive years and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Beyond music, Pride had a successful business career in Texas real estate and banking. He passed away on December 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas, leaving behind a legacy as one of country music's most successful and groundbreaking artists.