By Alyce Powell
Country music is not a genre which is usually associated with the Black community in the United States of America. To think that there are no African American country singers who have enjoyed success would be mistaken, though. Over the years, there have been a few shining examples of Black artists making a success of this type of music; this article will take a look at three of them.
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.
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 was originally marked out for a career as a professional baseball player, but an injury contributed to him drifting out of the game at a young age. Sport's loss would be music's gain, however, and Pride, after a few years as a professional musician, would be signed up by RCA records. His first recordings were made at Sun Studios, and his real success, in chart terms, would be reached in the late 1960s and on into the 1970s.
Pride has now sold around 70 million records, and he continues to make public appearances, maintaining his strong connection with baseball, in particular the Texas Rangers team. Other sporting occasions he has graced include the Super Bowl of 2010, when he sang the Star Spangled Banner. Pride was not the first African American to be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, however.
The first Black musician to be inducted into this genre of music's most venerable institution was DeFord Bailey, a grandson of slaves who was born into poverty in 1899. Known as a harmonica and blues harp artist, rather than a singer as such, his contribution to this genre of music is immense. A proponent of country blues, his musical career stretched from the 1920s into the 1940s, sadly, after that, he went back to shining shoes for a living.
Bailey is often regarded as being one of the genre's lost innovators, and he often faced racial prejudice during his career as a musician. He was remembered after his career was over, though, and he enjoyed several commemorations of his work during the 1960s and 70s, before his death in 1982.
A more contemporary artist who has enjoyed huge commercial success in this genre is Darius Rucker. The former lead singer of Hootie and the Blo
Pride has now sold around 70 million records, and he continues to make public appearances, maintaining his strong connection with baseball, in particular the Texas Rangers team. Other sporting occasions he has graced include the Super Bowl of 2010, when he sang the Star Spangled Banner. Pride was not the first African American to be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, however.
The first Black musician to be inducted into this genre of music's most venerable institution was DeFord Bailey, a grandson of slaves who was born into poverty in 1899. Known as a harmonica and blues harp artist, rather than a singer as such, his contribution to this genre of music is immense. A proponent of country blues, his musical career stretched from the 1920s into the 1940s, sadly, after that, he went back to shining shoes for a living.
Bailey is often regarded as being one of the genre's lost innovators, and he often faced racial prejudice during his career as a musician. He was remembered after his career was over, though, and he enjoyed several commemorations of his work during the 1960s and 70s, before his death in 1982.
A more contemporary artist who has enjoyed huge commercial success in this genre is Darius Rucker. The former lead singer of Hootie and the Blo
The first Black musician to be inducted into this genre of music's most venerable institution was DeFord Bailey, a grandson of slaves who was born into poverty in 1899. Known as a harmonica and blues harp artist, rather than a singer as such, his contribution to this genre of music is immense. A proponent of country blues, his musical career stretched from the 1920s into the 1940s, sadly, after that, he went back to shining shoes for a living.
Bailey is often regarded as being one of the genre's lost innovators, and he often faced racial prejudice during his career as a musician. He was remembered after his career was over, though, and he enjoyed several commemorations of his work during the 1960s and 70s, before his death in 1982.
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.
African American country singers have therefore contributed to the development of the genre in significant ways. While not that well-known generally, the there artists here have all enjoyed considerable success at times in their careers. Their music will continue to resonate through the ages.
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Bailey is often regarded as being one of the genre's lost innovators, and he often faced racial prejudice during his career as a musician. He was remembered after his career was over, though, and he enjoyed several commemorations of his work during the 1960s and 70s, before his death in 1982.
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.
African American country singers have therefore contributed to the development of the genre in significant ways. While not that well-known generally, the there artists here have all enjoyed considerable success at times in their careers. Their music will continue to resonate through the ages.
About the Author:
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