Charley Pride's Story of Country Music, Baseball, Mental Health, & More | From the NPT Archives

Country music star Charley Pride shares his story of growing up, his early career in baseball, how he became a country music star and the first Black singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and his struggles with mental health and depression.
"I've always been an American in my own mind and in my own heart. And that all came forth without even saying just by being myself. I like to think that what happened in my career, I was let be myself, that not only just to sing country music, but in all aspects of my life, that's the way it's always have been. Country music star Charley Pride discusses his book "Pride: The Charley Pride Story."
Filmed in 1994 this interview from NPT's archive episodes of our series A Word on Words with John Seigenthaler.
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▬▬ About A Word on Words with John Seigenthaler ▬▬
In Nashville Public Television’s A Word on Words, renowned journalist John Seigenthaler held in-depth and informed discussions with writers, historians and others. Guests over the series’ 40-year run (1972 to 2013) is impressive and includes Ann Patchett, Billy Collins, Rep. John Lewis, astronaut Alan Shepard and Rodney Crowell.
The show’s host may have been its most fascinating subject, however. John Seigenthaler served as editor of The Tennessean, founding editor of USA Today, assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and chair of the selection committee for the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. He was a passionate advocate of the First Amendment and founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in 1991.
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00:00 - A Word on Words Intro
00:24 - Intro of Charley Pride
03:21 - Charley Pride's Childhood
05:44 - Kidnapped
10:16 - Career in Baseball
15:11 - Mental Health & Depression
22:16 - Country Music
#countrymusic #civilrights #booktube

[@wnpt]

Filmed in 1994 this interview from NPT's archive episodes of our series A Word on Words with John Seigenthaler.

[@theresachiorazzi4571]

Charlie was born to be a star he had that God given voice he had it hard but he overcame it. He made it in this life and went to the other world with pride. He was the real deal. Rip.

[@Judy0910]

Charley had a lot of courage to write his book. He was such a nice person along with being a great singer. He is singing with the angels 😇 now. RIP Charley...we love you. ❤️

[@donaldewert2332]

The first black female country singer on Grand Ole Opry was Linda Martell. It was doubley hard for her! Her great 1970 lp, Color Me Country was reissued in 2022 and available on ebay.

[@waridim9249]

He was really talented. My favorite country music. His spirit lives on.

[@davidemmet7343]

So nice to see someone who is a true individual! Our nation misses men like Charley Pride. He reminds me about what I love about our country.

[@hazzachannel1]

THE THING ABOUT CHARLEY IS THIS, HE HAD GREAT INTEGRITY, COURAGE, AND PLAIN SPEAKING.

[@donjulio4025]

great integrity ? had children with other women while married

[@simr2435]

nothing but Love & Respect for Charley and his family. i grew up singing ALL Charley Prides songs. i also have his voice right down to a T. always have loved charley pride.

[@andreleibee354]

i continue to think so highly of the late great charley pride...and more so now after seeing this interview.

[@michaelharris5783]

Charley Pride Thank You For All Of Your Music And The Memories I Have Of You For Being A Fan Of Yours And Thank You For The Fan Club Breakfast At Fan Fair 1989 It Was An Experience Like No Other I've Experienced God Bless You Charley Rest In Peace I Will Cherish You And Your Music Forever.❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@linnieburwell6342]

He already said that when he went on stage, there weren’t any problems. But the interviewer kept pushing it.

[@sandeenelson4361]

He was the Best.

[@garylancaster3995]

One of my favorite singers.

[@maxinefreeman8858]

One of the greatest singers of all.

[@michaelterry4394]

Second your devotion, YES he was!

[@michaelterry4394]

GREAT interview

[@michaelterry4394]

Does a Bear Deficate in the Woods! Lol

[@michaelterry4394]

Along with Roger Whitaker and Jim Reeves .

[@leonabourassa3619]

I can’t believe I was so lucky to meet Charlie Pride here in Medicine Hat, Alberta, 🇨🇦CANADA🇨🇦 way back in 1951. I feel I was so lucky to meet the most Handsome young man, “our Good Lord,” put on our planet Earth…🌺Rest In Peace, Charlie,🌺😇🙏🏼🧚🏼‍♀️

[@nickayivor8432]

Charley Pride Thank you 🙏

[@Rawdiswar]

Absolute legend.

[@garethsmyth6593]

There is no heirs and graces with Charley. He seems a real down-to-earth person in this video. Admitting something such as having depression takes great courage and shows that just because you’re a star doesn’t mean you are happy all the time. Celebrities are only human and go through difficult struggles as well.

[@SovereignSoulTV]

A great interview.

[@angelwings7930]

Charlie was an amazing singer.

[@garylancaster3995]

Outstanding!

[@amazinggracefields]

Wonderful!

[@friedataylor3797]

💓💓💓💙💚💗

[@hazzachannel1]

IF PRESLEY HAD CHARLIE’S PERSONAL DISCIPLINE IN LIFE, AND NO ‘YES MONKEYS’, WE WUDDA HAD ELVIS A DARN SIGHT LONGER!

[@michaelterry4394]

No I don't believe in if anymore if is for children. YES you are correct,

[@claireroyerprosper4075]

Charlie Pride ,you are handsome,and the best.I play your music every day.Rest in peace,with the angels.

[@francesmcgloin9743]

YOU ARE, AND ALWAYS WILL BE, FOREVER , CLASSES ABOVE THEM PEOPLE YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH, IN THE SOUTHERN. U.S. LOTS OF MORTAL SINS FOR THE WAY THEY TREATED YOU CHARLIE , THEY ALL HAVE TO MEET THEIR MAKER, THE TABLE TURNS A FULL CIRCLE. YOU WILL BE LOOKING DOWN FROM HEAVEN. AS IT ALL TAKES PLACE. REST IN PEACE , DEAR CHARLIE. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.

[@jeffwvu4602]

Oh be quiet, they welcomed him with open arms when he started singing. Did you miss that part? I know people like you WANT to hear how the crowds booed him and threw things at him and called him racial slurs, but that never happened. The Bible says "Blessed are the peacemakers" why don't you try being one? Racism was spread all over, it wasn't just the "southern US." Jackie Robinson and his family faced tons of racism in California.

[@rolandowagner7775]

Charlie repeatedly has said that country fans accepted him immediately and he never really had any major issues with the country music industry. All he had to do was use a little sense of humor early on. I'm sure he had a few issues early in his career due to segregation in the south, but HE HAS NEVER DELVED ON IT LIKE ALL THE RACE HUSTLERS PUSHING BS OF TODAY. Obviously, he was one of the most successful country artists of ALL TIME and became very wealthy as a result. So, Charlie is a great example of just push through the BS and take care of your business, and you can be very successful.

[@marcussmith2868]

Every time I hear about Beyoncé and country music All I can think of is Charlie Pride.

[@phillipshosie9233]

I wonder if anyone else has come to the conclusion that Seigenthaler quite resembles Franklin D. Roosevelt.

[@theresawebb1968]

It was ashame the country ass on c nation didn't want to acknowledge Charley pride because of jealousy.

[@jeffwvu4602]

I dOnT kNoW wHaT yOu JuSt TyPeD

[@rolandowagner7775]

Hmm, country fans accepted Charley and loved him pretty much immediately; He sold 70 million records; Had over 50 top 10 singles; Won a ton of awards; accepted at the Grand Ole Opry; has won several Lifetime Achievement awards including the Country Music Hall of Fame and he became very wealthy and admired by numerous people of distinction. Exactly what part of that tells you Charley wasn't acknowledged?

[@tracyshirah195]

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