<p>Celebrities mourned the loss of country legend Charley Pride, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-country-music-legend-charley-pride-dies-from-coronavirus-at-86-349401">who died on Saturday due to complications from COVID-19.</a></p>

<p>Dolly Parton, Maren Morris, Jason Aldean, and more remembered Pride's legendary impact on country music by sharing tributes to the musician on social media.</p>

<p>"I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you," Parton, 74, wrote on Twitter.<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. (1/2)</p>
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) <a href="https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/1337864068821102592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Morris, 30, brought up the Country Music Awards, which was held in person last month and was where Pride made his final public appearance. Pride was honoured with the lifetime achievement award from Jimmie Allen at this year's show.</p>

<p>"I don’t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged," she wrote. "Rest in power, Charley."<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don’t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged. Rest in power, Charley. <a href="https://t.co/rSIbsLNwYj">https://t.co/rSIbsLNwYj</a></p>
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarenMorris/status/1337860834601676803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Country Music Association shared a statement on Twitter after news of Pride's death. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of trailblazing legend Charley Pride, who through talent, courage &amp; determination, made history by becoming the genre’s first Black superstar. We send our condolences to his family during this difficult time," the statement read.</p>

<p>"To say Country Music has lost a trailblazer is an obvious understatement, but in fact one of the biggest losses is Charley’s definitive Country voice. I remember working with Charley in 2009 on 'Country Music: In Performance at the White House' when President and Michelle Obama invited several Country artists to perform. He was a trailblazer in so many ways. It was a special night and Charley was telling amazing stories. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Rozene and the rest of his family and friends at this sad time," said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, in a statement.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/john-prine-adam-schlesinger-other-music-legends-we-have-lost-due-to-coronavirus-295112">Also see:&nbsp;John Prine, Adam Schlesinger &amp; other music legends we have lost due to coronavirus</a></p>

<p>Country singer Reba McEntire paid tribute to Pride, writing: “Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart.”<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart. My thoughts are with his wife Rozene and their family. RIP, Charley. <a href="https://t.co/2IYFfx4kLo">pic.twitter.com/2IYFfx4kLo</a></p>
— Reba (@reba) <a href="https://twitter.com/reba/status/1337869711208542208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Country-folk band Flatland Cavalry tweeted lyrics from Pride’s 1971 track “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'”: “Kiss an angel good morning and love her like the devil when you get back home. RIP to the legend Charley Pride.”<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kiss an angel good morning &amp; love her like the devil when you get back home... RIP to the legend Charley Pride.</p>
— Flatland Cavalry (@FlatlandCavalry) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlatlandCavalry/status/1337860804788498438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Singer-songwriter Kelleigh Bannen commented on Pride’s acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement award at the CMAs: “Heartbroken. I never met Charley Pride but admired him from afar. His acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement CMA award was such a stunning display of humility and humanity from a man who was truly a giant.”<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heartbroken. I never met Charley Pride, but admired him from afar. His acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CMA</a> award was such a stunning display of humility &amp; humanity from a man who was truly a giant.<br />
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RIP Mr Pride. ❤️</p>
— Kelleigh Bannen (@kelleighbannen) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelleighbannen/status/1337859111078256640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
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Pride, who died in Dallas, was not the first Black artist to make important contributions to country music, but he was a trailblazer who emerged during a time of division and rancor. Between 1967 and 1987, Pride delivered 52 Top 10 country hits, won Grammy awards and became RCA Records’ top-selling country artist, according to the website.<br />
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The Mississippi native picked cotton, served in the U.S. Army and played baseball in the Negro league before moving to Nashville, becoming the first Black country star. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, Rolling Stone magazine said.</p>


Celebrities mourned the loss of country legend Charley Pride, who died on Saturday due to complications from COVID-19. Dolly Parton, Maren Morris, Jason Aldean, and more remembered Pride's legendary impact on country music by sharing tributes to the musician on social media.

Celebrities mourned the loss of country legend Charley Pride, who died on Saturday due to complications from COVID-19. Dolly Parton, Maren Morris, Jason Aldean, and more remembered Pride's legendary impact on country music by sharing tributes to the musician on social media. "I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you," Parton, 74, wrote on Twitter. I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. (1/2) — Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020 × Morris, 30, brought up the Country Music Awards, which was held in person last month and was where Pride made his final public appearance. Pride was honoured with the lifetime achievement award from Jimmie Allen at this year's show. "I don’t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged," she wrote. "Rest in power, Charley." I don’t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged. Rest in power, Charley. https://t.co/rSIbsLNwYj — MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) December 12, 2020 × The Country Music Association shared a statement on Twitter after news of Pride's death. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of trailblazing legend Charley Pride, who through talent, courage & determination, made history by becoming the genre’s first Black superstar. We send our condolences to his family during this difficult time," the statement read. "To say Country Music has lost a trailblazer is an obvious understatement, but in fact one of the biggest losses is Charley’s definitive Country voice. I remember working with Charley in 2009 on 'Country Music: In Performance at the White House' when President and Michelle Obama invited several Country artists to perform. He was a trailblazer in so many ways. It was a special night and Charley was telling amazing stories. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Rozene and the rest of his family and friends at this sad time," said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, in a statement. Also see: John Prine, Adam Schlesinger & other music legends we have lost due to coronavirus Country singer Reba McEntire paid tribute to Pride, writing: “Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart.” Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart. My thoughts are with his wife Rozene and their family. RIP, Charley. pic.twitter.com/2IYFfx4kLo — Reba (@reba) December 12, 2020 × Country-folk band Flatland Cavalry tweeted lyrics from Pride’s 1971 track “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'”: “Kiss an angel good morning and love her like the devil when you get back home. RIP to the legend Charley Pride.” Kiss an angel good morning & love her like the devil when you get back home... RIP to the legend Charley Pride. — Flatland Cavalry (@FlatlandCavalry) December 12, 2020 × Singer-songwriter Kelleigh Bannen commented on Pride’s acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement award at the CMAs: “Heartbroken. I never met Charley Pride but admired him from afar. His acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement CMA award was such a stunning display of humility and humanity from a man who was truly a giant.” Heartbroken. I never met Charley Pride, but admired him from afar. His acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement #CMA award was such a stunning display of humility & humanity from a man who was truly a giant. RIP Mr Pride. ❤️ — Kelleigh Bannen (@kelleighbannen) December 12, 2020 × Pride, who died in Dallas, was not the first Black artist to make important contributions to country music, but he was a trailblazer who emerged during a time of division and rancor. Between 1967 and 1987, Pride delivered 52 Top 10 country hits, won Grammy awards and became RCA Records’ top-selling country artist, according to the website. The Mississippi native picked cotton, served in the U.S. Army and played baseball in the Negro league before moving to Nashville, becoming the first Black country star. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, Rolling Stone magazine said.

Dolly Parton, Maren Morris and other celebrities mourn Charley Pride's demise

<p>Charley Pride, the country music legend who amassed more than 50 top-10 hits between 1967 and 1987, and won several Grammy Awards, has died. He was 86.<br />
<br />
According to Fox News, the cause was complications from COVID-19, his publicist said in a statement.Pride who is considered country music`s first Black superstar-- his biggest songs included `Kiss an Angel Good Mornin`,` and `Mountain of Love,` and 29 of his 52 top-10 hits rose to No. 1.<br />
<br />
The music legend won multiple Country Music Awards. And in 1993, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, although he maintained that he`d had an open invitation there since his first performance in 1967.<br />
<br />
Fellow country legend Dolly Parton wrote on Twitter Saturday, "I`m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It`s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus."His final performance was almost exactly a month ago, on November 11, when he sang during the CMAs and accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.<br />
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As per Fox News, Jimmie Allen, who presented the award, once told a radio DJ, "If there was no Charley Pride, there wouldn`t be Darius (Rucker), me, Kane (Brown), Mickey (Guyton), Cowboy Troy and any other Black country artist that`s on their way right now."Pride planned to appear at the Volunteer Jam festival in Nashville, Tennessee, in February.<br />
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Pride was born to sharecroppers Mack Pride Sr. and Tessie Stewart Pride in Sledge, Mississippi, on March 18, 1934. He was drafted into the Army in the 1950s and later worked as an iron smelter before getting his break in the 1960s with a recording of producer Jack Clement`s `Just Between You and Me.` It broke into country music`s Top 10.<br />
<br />
Fox News reported that the late country singer was a talented pitcher and hoped to have a career in baseball before finding success in the music industry. He made several attempts to break into Major League Baseball.As the biggest Black country star of his era, he was a trailblazer in the industry.<br />
<br />
"We`re not colour blind yet, but we`ve advanced a few paces along the path and I like to think I`ve contributed something to that process," he wrote in his memoir.He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Rozene Cohran, four siblings, three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.&nbsp;</p>


Charley Pride, the country music legend who amassed more than 50 top-10 hits between 1967 and 1987, and won several Grammy Awards, has died. He was 86. According to Fox News, the cause was complications from COVID-19, his publicist said in a statement.

Charley Pride, the country music legend who amassed more than 50 top-10 hits between 1967 and 1987, and won several Grammy Awards, has died. He was 86. According to Fox News, the cause was complications from COVID-19, his publicist said in a statement.Pride who is considered country music`s first Black superstar-- his biggest songs included `Kiss an Angel Good Mornin`,` and `Mountain of Love,` and 29 of his 52 top-10 hits rose to No. 1. The music legend won multiple Country Music Awards. And in 1993, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, although he maintained that he`d had an open invitation there since his first performance in 1967. Fellow country legend Dolly Parton wrote on Twitter Saturday, "I`m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It`s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus."His final performance was almost exactly a month ago, on November 11, when he sang during the CMAs and accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. As per Fox News, Jimmie Allen, who presented the award, once told a radio DJ, "If there was no Charley Pride, there wouldn`t be Darius (Rucker), me, Kane (Brown), Mickey (Guyton), Cowboy Troy and any other Black country artist that`s on their way right now."Pride planned to appear at the Volunteer Jam festival in Nashville, Tennessee, in February. Pride was born to sharecroppers Mack Pride Sr. and Tessie Stewart Pride in Sledge, Mississippi, on March 18, 1934. He was drafted into the Army in the 1950s and later worked as an iron smelter before getting his break in the 1960s with a recording of producer Jack Clement`s `Just Between You and Me.` It broke into country music`s Top 10. Fox News reported that the late country singer was a talented pitcher and hoped to have a career in baseball before finding success in the music industry. He made several attempts to break into Major League Baseball.As the biggest Black country star of his era, he was a trailblazer in the industry. "We`re not colour blind yet, but we`ve advanced a few paces along the path and I like to think I`ve contributed something to that process," he wrote in his memoir.He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Rozene Cohran, four siblings, three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Country music legend Charley Pride passes away at 86

<p>&nbsp;After a handful of artists questioned if country legend <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-country-music-legend-charley-pride-dies-from-coronavirus-at-86-349401">Charley Pride</a>, who died Saturday(local time) of COVID-19, could have been exposed at November 11`s CMA Awards, where he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashville ceremony, the Country Music Association and representatives for Pride released a joint statement explaining the show and Pride`s testing procedures.<br />
<br />
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the CMA wrote in a statement posted to its website late Saturday afternoon, "Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions."<br />
<br />
"Charley was tested prior to travelling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the country music community are heartbroken by Charley`s passing.<br />
<br />
Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further."Maren Morris, a triple winner at the awards, was one of the first to question how Pride had been infected.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-dolly-parton-maren-morris-and-other-celebrities-mourn-charley-prides-demise-349430" hreflang="en">Dolly Parton, Maren Morris and other celebrities mourn Charley Pride's demise</a></p>

<p>She tweeted, "I don`t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged. Rest in power, Charley ... **** this ******* year.""We need answers as to how Charley Pride got covid," Mickey Guyton wrote, bringing the discussion to her Twitter page.<br />
<br />
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the CMA Awards were held at Music City Center in Nashville, attended only by performers, nominees and selected guests sitting at socially distanced tables.<br />
<br />
In an interview with Billboard after this year`s CMA Awards - an event that had a number of artists, including Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice, Rascal Flatts and Lady A, not attending because they or a member of their family tested positive for COVID-19 -- CMA CEO Sarah Trahern addressed the rigorous testing protocols their team had in place.<br />
<br />
"We began testing weeks before the show, in October. It`s not just the artists and their guests we tested -- we tested literally everyone: stagehands, production crew, our staff, in addition to talent. We have our final load out happening now at Music City Center, so testing doesn`t just stop because talent is no longer on site. We also consulted with an epidemiologist throughout the process," Trahern said of preparing for the first awards show during the pandemic to include a live, if socially distanced and limited, audience."None of the artists who tested positive had ever entered the venue," added Trahern.<br />
<br />
"The protocols we followed were required not only by the CDC but the local health department, as well as the unions and guilds."&nbsp;</p>


After a handful of artists questioned if country legend Charley Pride, who died Saturday(local time) of COVID-19, could have been exposed at November 11`s CMA Awards, where he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashville ceremony, the Country Music Association and representatives for Pride released a joint statement explaining the show and Pride`s testing procedures.

After a handful of artists questioned if country legend Charley Pride, who died Saturday(local time) of COVID-19, could have been exposed at November 11`s CMA Awards, where he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashville ceremony, the Country Music Association and representatives for Pride released a joint statement explaining the show and Pride`s testing procedures. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the CMA wrote in a statement posted to its website late Saturday afternoon, "Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions." "Charley was tested prior to travelling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the country music community are heartbroken by Charley`s passing. Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further."Maren Morris, a triple winner at the awards, was one of the first to question how Pride had been infected. Also read: Dolly Parton, Maren Morris and other celebrities mourn Charley Pride's demise She tweeted, "I don`t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged. Rest in power, Charley ... **** this ******* year.""We need answers as to how Charley Pride got covid," Mickey Guyton wrote, bringing the discussion to her Twitter page. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the CMA Awards were held at Music City Center in Nashville, attended only by performers, nominees and selected guests sitting at socially distanced tables. In an interview with Billboard after this year`s CMA Awards - an event that had a number of artists, including Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice, Rascal Flatts and Lady A, not attending because they or a member of their family tested positive for COVID-19 -- CMA CEO Sarah Trahern addressed the rigorous testing protocols their team had in place. "We began testing weeks before the show, in October. It`s not just the artists and their guests we tested -- we tested literally everyone: stagehands, production crew, our staff, in addition to talent. We have our final load out happening now at Music City Center, so testing doesn`t just stop because talent is no longer on site. We also consulted with an epidemiologist throughout the process," Trahern said of preparing for the first awards show during the pandemic to include a live, if socially distanced and limited, audience."None of the artists who tested positive had ever entered the venue," added Trahern. "The protocols we followed were required not only by the CDC but the local health department, as well as the unions and guilds."

CMA explains COVID-19 protocol following Charley Pride's death month after attending CMA Awards