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.
Pride did not necessarily set out to be a musician, with sport, namely baseball, being his early passion in life. His career as a professional player was stalled, at least in part, by injury, though, so he began his musical career in the early 1960s, instead. His first recordings would be made at Sun Studios in Nashville, while the peak of his career, after signing for RCA, would come in the late 60s and early 1970s, when he would enjoy a massive run of hits.
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.
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 did not necessarily set out to be a musician, with sport, namely baseball, being his early passion in life. His career as a professional player was stalled, at least in part, by injury, though, so he began his musical career in the early 1960s, instead. His first recordings would be made at Sun Studios in Nashville, while the peak of his career, after signing for RCA, would come in the late 60s and early 1970s, when he would enjoy a massive run of hits.
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.
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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