Charley Pride. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Country music pioneer, Charley Pride passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as a result of complications from COVID-19. He was 86.
Pride was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, a Grand Ole Opry member, and bonafide hitmaker. Between his chart debut in 1966, and 1989, Pride had 29 No. 1 country hits and over 50 Top 10 tracks, including enduring classics like “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (1971), and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” (1969).
In 1971, he was named CMA Entertainer of the Year, as well as Male Vocalist of the Year in both 1971 and 1972. Pride was also the first Black man to co-host The CMA Awards, taking the reins in 1975 alongside Glen Campbell. He also was awarded the ACM Pioneer Award in 1994. Pride holds three Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy in 2017. Pride was honored most recently at the CMA Awards in Nov. with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following news of Pride’s death, tributes poured in from many artists, including Jimmie Allen, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Luke Combs, and more.
Read below for several tributes to Pride:
“Like the rest of the world, I am shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Charley Pride. He and I went back to the early days of his career in 1966 when he made his first nationwide appearance as a guest on my syndicated television show. In later years, we toured together, shared music and argued baseball endlessly. I saw firsthand some of his early struggles as the first Black performer in country music. My admiration for the way he handled himself during those years knows no bounds. I’ve lost a hero and a friend.” – Bill Anderson
“My friendship with Charley goes back to his very first tour with Willie Nelson that I was privileged to be a part of also. As big as his voice was, his personality was even bigger… and his heart was even bigger than that. He loved jokes, loved stories, loved to laugh…. and loved us. I will miss all of this. He’s leaving us some wonderful memories. My heart goes out to Rozene’, his family, his Opry family and his many friends and fans.” – Jeannie Seely
“I loved Charley Pride and will miss his happy spirit. His voice was so unique, his records were so well done, he was a great entertainer, and he opened up a whole new market for country music. No wonder he is in the Hall of Fame.” – Ricky Skaggs
“Charley Pride, a pioneer, a music man, a baseball player, a good friend and the love of Rozene’s life, has passed on. Without his encouragement when I was playing the Whiskey a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in the ‘70s, I might have never made it to Nashville—and to hear this news tears out a piece of my heart. That he died of COVID makes me even sadder. These are such sad days with too much loss. Please, to everyone who’s ever loved ‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning,’ ‘Mountain of Love’ or ‘Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone,’ wear a mask, wash your hands and be wise about gathering. We’ve lost too many, and I just want us all to be here to love each other and the music the way Charley always did for years to come.” – Ronnie Milsap
“Charley has been a longtime friend and over the years I have always enjoyed laughing and exchanging jokes with him. We will miss you.” – Jeff Cook of ALABAMA
“Charley’s smile always lit up the room. His historic Hall of Fame career lit up an industry. Tonight I’m sure he’s still lightening them up… just a little higher up.” – Teddy Gentry of ALABAMA
“He and Rozene are true friends of mine and Kelly’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rozene and his family. Heaven awaits my friend, Charley.” – Randy Owen of ALABAMA
“Charley Pride was a longtime friend and great entertainer. I’ll miss him always calling me Ray Ragsdale and reminding me that I’m an Aquarius. RIP Charley, my friend.” – Ray Stevens
“Charley Pride was a trail blazer whose remarkable voice & generous spirit broke down barriers in country music just as his hero Jackie Robinson had in baseball. His last performance was his hit, ‘Kiss an Angel Good Mornin.’ Now he is one.” – Ken Burns
“Charley Pride was a global icon in music, baseball and business. He broke barriers, unprecedented at the time, and made us all realize that we have more in common than our differences. Charley was a great American and a good Christian. Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments is his more than 60-year marriage to his lovely, devoted partner in life, his wife Rozene. As one of the producers of The Charley Pride Story, I’ll make sure his story is not unsung to the younger generation. While Charley has left this Earth, he is now singing in the Heavenly choir.” – Dennis Quaid, co-producer of The Charley Pride Story
Season 2 Of ‘The Song’ Returning In January
/by Sarah SkatesNationally syndicated television series The Song–Recorded Live @ TGL Farms will return Jan. 2, 2021 with 15 new episodes. The one-hour season opener features Train, Jason Mraz, Jewel, Richard Marx, Clint Black, Gavin DeGraw and a special Marley Family Celebration Of “One Love” with Stephen Marley.
“Although challenging, this season’s filming actually presented us with a unique opportunity to take the show to the artists and record them where they were most comfortable–in or near their own homes–and they all brought their A-Game,” said the show’s creator and Executive Producer Marc Oswald.
Returning hosts Krista Marie and Damien Horne traveled coast to coast—having coffee with Jason Mraz at the Mraz Family Farm, sipping wine with Pat Monahan of Train at Concannon Vineyard in Northern California, riding horses with Jewel in the Colorado Rockies, and filming Richard Marx as he performed at sunset in Malibu. Shooting wrapped where it all began, with Gavin DeGraw at TGL Farms located near Nashville.
Founding partner Ally returns to present Season 2, as The Song welcomes new partners Harley-Davidson and KICKER Performance Audio to the team.
The show is produced by Oswald Entertainment Group and Tupelo Honey, directed by David “Doc” Abbott and mixed by Tom Davis. Cary Glotzer serves as executive producer.
Gray Television is managing the syndication reaching more than 77 percent of US households in over 140 markets.
AXS TV acquired all 10 episodes from Season 1, which will continue airing through 2022.
Osborne, Montana, Smith Take Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellJosh Osborne
Josh Osborne remains at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the fifth consecutive week this week. The songs keeping Osborne at the top are “Happy Anywhere” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani), “Beers And Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “How They Remember You” (Rascal Flatts), “7 Summers” (Morgan Wallen), “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” (Sam Hunt), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), and “Never Be Sorry” (Old Dominion).
Randy Montana shifts up to the No. 2 spot, with Parker McCollum’s “Pretty Heart,” Luke Combs’ “Better Together,” and Justin Moore’s “We Didn’t Have Much” fueling him. Ernest Keith Smith moves into the Top 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown” and “Somebody’s Problem,” Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” and Chris Lane’s “Big, Big Plans.”
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Weekly Register: Carrie Underwood’s ‘My Gift’ Stays At No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesCarrie Underwood
Christmas music is ruling the charts again this week, with Carrie Underwood‘s My Gift staying at No. 1 on the country albums list, and coming in at No. 5 on the all-genre rankings.
There’s no movement in the country top 5 albums from last week, featuring holiday projects by Underwood (53K total consumption), Dolly Parton (No. 3, 31K), and Gene Autrey (No. 5, 21K), as well as Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get at No. 2 (35K), and Chris Stapleton‘s Starting Over at No. 4 (27K).
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” comes in as the top streaming song in the nation, racking up 29 million streams this week and soaring over the 1 billion mark RTD. Last year it reached No. 1 for the first time ever.
Russell Dickerson’s “Southern Symphony” entered the country singles streaming chart at No. 72 with 1.8 million streams, and the album of the same title debuted on the country albums chart at No. 14 with 9.5K (3.1K album only/7.6M song streams).
Indie songwriter Trey Lewis is stirring up the country singles chart with “Dicked Down in Dallas,” which was last week’s top debut at No. 15, and slides to No. 3 this week.
The Top 5 Country songs
Luke Combs “Forever After All” 7.1M this week /82M RTD
Gabby Barrett “I Hope” 6.9M/497M
Trey Lewis “Dicked Down In Dallas” 6.3M/11M
Morgan Wallen “More Than My Hometown” 6.1M/192M
Morgan Wallen “Somebody’s Problem” 6.1M/27M
The overall top album this week belongs to pop hitmaker Shawn Mendes, who debuted Wonder with 89K (54K album only/44M song streams).
CMT Remembers Charley Pride’s Legacy In New Special
/by Lorie HollabaughCharley Pride
CMT will air a special tribute to Charley Pride and his legacy on CMT Remembers Charley Pride set to run on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT. The special will include appearances and footage from some of Pride’s closest friends, colleagues and admirers, including Darius Rucker, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain and more, alongside his beloved family, his wife Rozene, son Dion, sister Maxine and his brother Joe.
The program is a celebration honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most influential, decorated and impactful country artists in the history of the genre. Featuring three decades of interviews and commentary from Pride himself, along with archival footage of his greatest hits and most memorable performances, the half-hour event follows the Country Music Hall of Famer from his humble beginnings in Mississippi to his rise to CMA Entertainer of the Year with an unprecedented string of hits. Despite facing pervasive racism throughout his career, Pride’s perseverance and unmatched talent transcended generations, broke down barriers and blazed a new path for black country artists.
The CMT special will also air during two encore presentations on Thursday, Dec. 17 (9 a.m. ET) and Saturday, Dec. 19 (12 p.m. ET).
Pride’s family and close friends will hold a private wake and memorial in Dallas this week, with future plans for a public celebration of life memorial ceremony to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Pride Scholarship at Jesuit Preparatory School, Saint Philips School & Community Center and/or The Food Bank.
The Other Nashville Society Teams With German Publisher For Virtual Songwriting Camp
/by Sarah SkatesOver 40 artists, writers, and producers from both scenes took part in the event. From the TONS camp were writers including Jim Jonsin (Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Eminem), Nick Bailey (Maroon 5, Marshmello, Demi Lovato), Bailey Bryan (300 Entertainment), and Kyle Kelso (Kygo, Galantis, Lane 8). German collaborators included Steven Bashir (Felix Jaehn, Younotus , Lena), Kelvin Jones (Four Music / Sony), Robin Grubert (Nico Santos, Keri Hilson, Adel Tawil), and Conor Byrne (RCA / Sony).
In addition, major label execs from both sides of the Atlantic, including A&R from Epic Records, Warner Records, RCA Records, Capitol Records, Polydor Records, and Island Records, briefed the camp each morning on their artists’ current song needs.
Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Nashville / TONS Co-founder, Katie Fagan, said, “Our mission at TONS is to not only give a platform to our community of creators here in the U.S., but to help spread awareness across the globe that Nashville is a melting pot of successful multi-genre writers, producers and artists. When it came to international markets we wanted to connect with, Germany was at the top of our wishlist. Our friends at the Music Business Association (Music Biz) connected us to Germany’s top music business conference, Reeperbahn Festival. Through that connection, we met Peer Steinwald at Budde in Berlin. Very quickly, we all realized we were aligned on a camp, and within days we were making plans.”
Those plans for an in-person writing camp were altered due to the pandemic, so TONS and Budde shifted to a successful virtual event.
Billy Strings Kicks Off 12 Days Of Bluegrass For Charity
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings is sharing twelve days of bluegrass beginning Monday (Dec. 14) as part of his “String The Halls: Home For The Holidays Edition” fundraising series.
Each day through Christmas Day, Strings will post a new performance video on his YouTube page at 11 a.m. ET culminating at 12 p.m. ET on 12/25 when audio for all twelve performances will be available to purchase/download via Nugs.net. There will also be a selection of limited-edition event posters and prints released each day via halfhazardpress.com.
“String The Halls” caps off a year of giving for Strings, who has already raised over $100,000 for charity in 2020 through a variety of live stream and socially distanced concerts. All proceeds raised will benefit several organizations including Musically Fed, Nashville Rescue Mission and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Additionally, in support of Strings, Nugs.net has launched a special discounted subscription campaign, which is available now through the end of the year.
Strings has enjoyed plenty of success this year and is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards for his abum Home. The album reached No. 1 on both Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and Bluegrass Albums chart and led Strings to debut at No. 11 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.
BREAKING: Sony Music Nashville Promotes Paige Altone And Liz Cost
/by LB CantrellPaige Altone (Photo: Matthew Berinato), Liz Cost (Photo: Cameron Powell)
Sony Music Nashville has promoted Paige Altone and Liz Cost to Vice President, Marketing, effective immediately. Altone and Cost will report to recently promoted SVP, Marketing, Jennifer Way.
“Liz and Paige are two of the smartest marketing executives I’ve ever had the privilege of working alongside,” said Way. “Their extraordinary leadership and creativity is vital to the ongoing success of Sony Music Nashville and our artists, and I’m so excited to watch them continue to thrive in their roles with these well-earned VP Stripes.”
Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman added, “I’ve looked forward to this day for a long time as it was my dream to be able to promote to the new positions from within SMN. The growth and leadership development of Liz and Paige, particularly in these unprecedented times, has been extraordinary and gratifying for me to see. Our future is in good hands.”
The newly announced Marketing Vice Presidents will oversee the strategy, development, and execution of targeted marketing campaigns and consumption growth for the Sony Music Nashville roster of artists.
Altone joined SMN as Manager of Marketing in 2016, and most recently was promoted to Senior Director of Marketing in 2019. Altone started her music business career in the promotions department of Atlanta’s WKHX. In 2011, she was hired by Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists and worked with the Zac Brown Band, Blackberry Smoke and The Wood Brothers. While still with Southern Ground Artists, she moved to Nashville. In 2014, she joined AEG Presents, handling tour marketing for Kacey Musgraves, Mumford & Sons and Imagine Dragons, among other acts. Reach Altone at paige.altone@sonymusic.com.
Cost joined the SMN marketing team in January 2017 as Manager of Marketing. Cost started her music business career at the Ryman Auditorium working as a backstage hospitality coordinator and was later hired by Bigger Picture where she worked in artist management and rose to a Director of Marketing. She joined DigSin/Digmark as a project manager executing digital strategy for artists and brands, and became a Director of Strategic Branding and Event Management at SESAC. At SMN, she was upped to Associate Director, Marketing in August 2018 and Senior Director, Marketing in June 2019. Cost is a graduate of William Smith College. Cost can be contacted at liz.cost@sonymusic.com.
Nashville Unlimited Christmas Show To Air Thursday
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Nashville Unlimited Christmas Show to benefit Room in the Inn is back for the 21st consecutive year, but with a few changes due to the pandemic. The concert was filmed and recorded Dec. 10 with no live audience and will be broadcast on YouTube on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. CT.
The show is produced and hosted by Dave Pomeroy, with singer/songwriter Don Henry as co-host, and this year’s musical guests include John Oates, Kathy Mattea, Charlie McCoy, The McCrary Sisters, Don Schlitz, Jeff Coffin, BandoMandos, Tuba Christmas, and more.
The event has been raising money for the great work of Room in the Inn at Christ Church Cathedral since 2000 and over the past 25 years has raised more than $460,000 for the organization.
“We are looking forward to this annual event more than ever,” said show creator Pomeroy. “We are very grateful to Christ Church Cathedral for this ongoing opportunity to help our community through music, and Room in the Inn for the amazing work they do to help those less fortunate than ourselves. That’s the Christmas Spirit and the Nashville Way!”
Artists Remember Charley Pride
/by LB CantrellCharley Pride. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Country music pioneer, Charley Pride passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as a result of complications from COVID-19. He was 86.
Pride was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, a Grand Ole Opry member, and bonafide hitmaker. Between his chart debut in 1966, and 1989, Pride had 29 No. 1 country hits and over 50 Top 10 tracks, including enduring classics like “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (1971), and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” (1969).
In 1971, he was named CMA Entertainer of the Year, as well as Male Vocalist of the Year in both 1971 and 1972. Pride was also the first Black man to co-host The CMA Awards, taking the reins in 1975 alongside Glen Campbell. He also was awarded the ACM Pioneer Award in 1994. Pride holds three Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy in 2017. Pride was honored most recently at the CMA Awards in Nov. with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following news of Pride’s death, tributes poured in from many artists, including Jimmie Allen, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Luke Combs, and more.
Read below for several tributes to Pride:
“Like the rest of the world, I am shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Charley Pride. He and I went back to the early days of his career in 1966 when he made his first nationwide appearance as a guest on my syndicated television show. In later years, we toured together, shared music and argued baseball endlessly. I saw firsthand some of his early struggles as the first Black performer in country music. My admiration for the way he handled himself during those years knows no bounds. I’ve lost a hero and a friend.” – Bill Anderson
“My friendship with Charley goes back to his very first tour with Willie Nelson that I was privileged to be a part of also. As big as his voice was, his personality was even bigger… and his heart was even bigger than that. He loved jokes, loved stories, loved to laugh…. and loved us. I will miss all of this. He’s leaving us some wonderful memories. My heart goes out to Rozene’, his family, his Opry family and his many friends and fans.” – Jeannie Seely
“I loved Charley Pride and will miss his happy spirit. His voice was so unique, his records were so well done, he was a great entertainer, and he opened up a whole new market for country music. No wonder he is in the Hall of Fame.” – Ricky Skaggs
“Charley Pride, a pioneer, a music man, a baseball player, a good friend and the love of Rozene’s life, has passed on. Without his encouragement when I was playing the Whiskey a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in the ‘70s, I might have never made it to Nashville—and to hear this news tears out a piece of my heart. That he died of COVID makes me even sadder. These are such sad days with too much loss. Please, to everyone who’s ever loved ‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning,’ ‘Mountain of Love’ or ‘Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone,’ wear a mask, wash your hands and be wise about gathering. We’ve lost too many, and I just want us all to be here to love each other and the music the way Charley always did for years to come.” – Ronnie Milsap
“Charley has been a longtime friend and over the years I have always enjoyed laughing and exchanging jokes with him. We will miss you.” – Jeff Cook of ALABAMA
“Charley’s smile always lit up the room. His historic Hall of Fame career lit up an industry. Tonight I’m sure he’s still lightening them up… just a little higher up.” – Teddy Gentry of ALABAMA
“He and Rozene are true friends of mine and Kelly’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rozene and his family. Heaven awaits my friend, Charley.” – Randy Owen of ALABAMA
“Charley Pride was a longtime friend and great entertainer. I’ll miss him always calling me Ray Ragsdale and reminding me that I’m an Aquarius. RIP Charley, my friend.” – Ray Stevens
“Charley Pride was a trail blazer whose remarkable voice & generous spirit broke down barriers in country music just as his hero Jackie Robinson had in baseball. His last performance was his hit, ‘Kiss an Angel Good Mornin.’ Now he is one.” – Ken Burns
“Charley Pride was a global icon in music, baseball and business. He broke barriers, unprecedented at the time, and made us all realize that we have more in common than our differences. Charley was a great American and a good Christian. Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments is his more than 60-year marriage to his lovely, devoted partner in life, his wife Rozene. As one of the producers of The Charley Pride Story, I’ll make sure his story is not unsung to the younger generation. While Charley has left this Earth, he is now singing in the Heavenly choir.” – Dennis Quaid, co-producer of The Charley Pride Story
Patrick Mayberry Signs With Centricity Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPatrick Mayberry has signed with Centricity Music and released new single, “Breakthrough Miracle Power,” to radio and digitally on Friday (12/11).
Signed to the publishing wing of the company, Centricity Publishing, in 2018, Mayberry has had cuts by North Point Worship, David Leonard, Mack Brock, Chris Renzema, David Dunn, Jonny Diaz, Joel Vaughn and others, and his songs have also garnered major sync placements with T-Mobile, NBA, NBC TODAY and more.
“Patrick has a unique ability to express his heart through his songs in such a powerful way,” says James Duke, Centricity Music Director of A&R. “His music is full of hope and passion, and I’m thrilled that Centricity Music has the privilege of sharing these songs with the world.”
Mayberry says of “Breakthrough Miracle Power”: “It started on my own, and it was super personal. It’s essentially a desperate song of when your back’s against the wall and there’s no way out, and ultimately, you’re just desperate for the Lord to show up.
“I feel like I’m getting to put the flag in the moon, because to me, it’s not just this song; it’s the last 10 years of traveling back and forth to Franklin, TN from Chicago, staying up way too late working on demos, and being a grumpy dad in the morning. There’s been a lot of sweat equity, and this song is kind of the Ebenezer that marks the start of something really beautiful that’s come from all of that.”