Opry superstar Charley Pride honored with new statue
By Preshias Harris
Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe and Little Jimmy Dickens are together again at the Ryman Auditorium.
In a special outdoor ceremony April 13, the new life-size bronze statue of Charley Pride was unveiled to join those of Lynn, Monroe and Dickens previously positioned at the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk. Artist and sculptor Ben Watts created all four of the bronze likenesses now at the location.
Charley Pride’s widow Rozene and his son Dion Pride were joined at the unveiling by friends and colleagues from the world of music, along with local dignitaries and fans.
During her introductory remarks, Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling & Logistics at Grand Ole Opry, noted that the concept for the Icon Walk began in 2015 as the vision of Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed.
Taking the podium, Reed said that Pride performed at the Ryman and on the Opry many times throughout his career including his first Opry performance in 1967. “I do not think it is possible to tell the history of the Ryman, the Opry and country music as a whole without Charley,” he stated. “He was a trailblazer for this genre. Charley’s music and performance helped break down racial barriers in the industry and helped pave the way for other artists to make their mark in this genre. His legacy continues to inspire and influence many people in country music to this day.”
Calling Rozene and Dion to the podium, Reed made a touching surprise presentation.
“The famous photographer Les Leverett, who did all the photography at the Ryman back in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, died and we bought his collection of photography,” Reed said to Rozene. “We found this photograph of you and your husband. You must have been twenty-one years of age then. We want you to have this as a memento of today.”
In her remarks, Rozene said, “When we came to Nashville, we found a home away from home at RCA.” She fondly remembered Pride’s manager, Jack Johnson as well as RCA executive Jerry Bradley and his wife Connie who was Senior Vice President at ASCAP. “Jerry and Connie came to be some of our best friends,” she said.
“Don’t forget Mel Tillis who wrote Pride’s first single,” she added. That single was “The Snakes Crawl at Night” that Tillis cowrote with Fred Burch.
“We have two of Pride’s longtime band members here,” said Rozene. “Danny Hutchins, who came to us when he was seventeen years old and was with us for forty-four years. And also [steel guitar player] Ronnie Miller who was with him almost thirty years.”
Dion Pride brought a son’s viewpoint of life with a famous father.
“He was my inspiration, my mentor,” avowed Dion. “Growing up, all I wanted to do was be like dad. I’m very proud to be standing here in this place and I know my father would be very humbly thrilled and honored. I just hope that he’s remembered as much for the man he is as for his music. From a son’s perspective, I’ve always told people I never had to go past my front door for a role model. A lot of kids can’t say that.”
Among those present for the ceremony was actor-producer Dennis Quaid who, with his production company Bonniedale, is in the process of producing a biopic of Charley titled American Pride.
During the peak years of his recording career (1966–1987), Pride had fifty-two Top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, thirty of which made it to Number One. He won the Entertainer of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards in 1971 and was awarded a Grammy for “Best Country Vocal Performance, Male” in 1972.
For more about Charley Pride, visit his website. #CharleyPride #DionPride
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris