Gotta respect the classics.
CMT is coming back with their CMT Giants special, a series that pays tribute to the careers of some of country music’s most legendary artists.
So far we’ve seen tributes to names like Hank Williams Jr., Reba, Alan Jackson and Kenny Rogers.
And this time they’re honoring the legend Mr. Charley Pride.
Pride was the first African American to have major success in country music, and in the ’70s and ’80s he became the best selling artist for RCA Records since Elvis Presley.
Charley sadly passed away from COVID in December 2020, about a month after his performance of “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” with Jimmie Allen at the 2020 CMA Awards.
CMT is beginning to release videos of the pre-recorded performances, and now, we’ve got a special performance from good ol’ Darius Rucker.
In the video, Rucker performs one of Pride’s greatest hits, “Someone Loves You Honey,” released all the way back in 1978.
Rucker also joined Pride and Jimmie Allen for the song “Why Things Happen,” on Allen’s 2020 album Bettie James.
The full 90-minute tribute to Pride will air on CMT on August 25, and will also feature Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Gladys Knight, Jimmie Allen, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs featuring Robert Randolph + Reyna Roberts, Mickey Guyton, Wynonna and Charley’s son Dion Pride.
The special will also include guest appearances from special guests include Neal McCoy, Nolan Ryan, Reba, Ronnie Milsap, and Charley’s widow, Rozene Pride.
You gotta love it. I’m sure Pride is smiling down as these artists pay tribute to the music that paved the way for so many other artists to come.