While many people may feel that country music is not a genre which is particularly enjoyed by the Black community in the United States, there have been some notable musicians have attained fame in this genre. African American country singers may not be very common, but there are some who have made an impact. This article will examine the careers of three Black musicians who have sold plenty of records making country music.
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.
Bailey died in 1982, and is an obscure figure to many fans of this genre of music these days. Although he died in 1982, he his career was marked and commemorated before his passing. Bailey was often the victim of less enlightened attitudes towards his racial origins at times in his musical career.
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.
These three African American country singers are musicians who have forged a path in a type of music which is not often associated with their community. All have played a part in making the music what it is today. It is to be hoped that their songs and stories will continue to be remembered.
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.
Bailey died in 1982, and is an obscure figure to many fans of this genre of music these days. Although he died in 1982, he his career was marked and commemorated before his passing. Bailey was often the victim of less enlightened attitudes towards his racial origins at times in his musical career.
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.
These three African American country singers are musicians who have forged a path in a type of music which is not often associated with their community. All have played a part in making the music what it is today. It is to be hoped that their songs and stories will continue to be remembered.
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