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 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.
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 third African American who has made an impact in the world of country music is Darius Rucker, the former lead singer of 90s act Hootie and the Blowfish. While they were known as alternative rockers, Rucker is now very much a country artist, with several big hits to his name. Rucker is also known for being a personal friend of star golfer 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.
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.
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 third African American who has made an impact in the world of country music is Darius Rucker, the former lead singer of 90s act Hootie and the Blowfish. While they were known as alternative rockers, Rucker is now very much a country artist, with several big hits to his name. Rucker is also known for being a personal friend of star golfer 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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