SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 232
In Memory
of
Charley Frank Pride
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Charley Frank Pride, a pioneering
country music legend, who died on December 12, 2020, at the age of
86; and
WHEREAS, A native of Sledge, Mississippi, Charley Pride
was born on March 18, 1934, as the fourth of 11 children in a
family of sharecroppers; he developed a love of baseball and
music at a young age, and his mother bought him his first guitar
when he was 14 years old; and
WHEREAS, Charley left home for Memphis to seek out a career
in professional baseball, and in 1952, he was signed by the
Memphis Red Sox, and he went on to become an All-Star pitcher in
the Negro American League; he was drafted into the United States
Army in 1956, and he married Ebby Rozene Cohrad, his best friend
and spiritual partner, while on leave that same year; after his
military service, he played baseball on several minor league
teams in Montana while also working as a smelter and performing
at clubs in a four-piece band, the Night Hawks; his rise to
musical stardom began in 1965, when he moved to Nashville and the
influential country music producer Chet Atkins signed him to the
RCA Victor record label; and
WHEREAS, Charley released his first single through RCA
Victor in 1966; he landed on the country music charts with his
third single, "Just Between You and Me," and he became the first
black performer to appear at the Grand Ole Opry since founding
member DeFord Bailey appeared there more than 25 years earlier;
in 1971, he released his biggest hit, "Kiss an Angel Good
Morning," a song that reached the pop music charts and was among
the Top-10 songs on the adult contemporary charts; he also earned
Grammy Awards in 1971 for Best Sacred Performance and Best Gospel
Performance and was named the Country Music Association's
Entertainer of the Year, and the following year, he won a Grammy
Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance; and
WHEREAS, Over the next five decades, Charley amassed more
than 50 Top-10 country hits, including 30 Number-1 hits; he
routinely was sold out at American venues, and he developed a
strong and loyal following in Ireland and the United Kingdom,
which led to the sale of millions of albums worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Charley and his beloved wife, Rozene, settled in
Dallas during his music career, and he remained a treasured
honorary Texan for the rest of his life; he was a devoted father
to three children, Carlton Kraig, Charles Dion, and Angela
Rozene, and his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
enriched his life immeasurably; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong baseball fan, Charley often sang the
National Anthem at Texas Rangers games, and in 2021, the team
dedicated a baseball field in his name and established the
Charley Pride Internship for minority college students to train
for careers in baseball; and
WHEREAS, Charley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in
1993, and he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
in 1999; in 2000, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of
Fame; his trailblazing contributions to country music's rich
heritage were recognized with the Willie Nelson Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Known for his smooth baritone voice and his
friendly, graceful demeanor, Charley Pride remained kindhearted
and humble, even after his remarkable talents brought him to the
height of celebrity; his gentle presence inspired all who were
blessed with his company, and his contributions to American music
will continue to be appreciated for generations to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Charley Frank Pride; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Charley Pride.
West
Alvarado Hancock Nichols Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Birdwell Huffman Perry Birdwell Huffman Perry
Birdwell Huffman Perry
Blanco Hughes Powell Blanco Hughes Powell
Blanco Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer Creighton Lucio Springer
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Hall Nelson Zaffirini Hall Nelson Zaffirini
Hall Nelson Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 12, 2021, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hancock Nichols
Bettencourt Hinojosa Paxton
Birdwell Huffman Perry
Blanco Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Gutierrez Miles Whitmire
Hall Nelson Zaffirini