Charlie Pride was born on March 18, 1938, on a cotton farm in Sledge, Mississippi. Charlie was one of 11 children and picked cotton with his parents during his early childhood. He later grew up into one of the most successful black entertainers to emerge from country music.

Pride bought his first guitar at an early age. It was a Silverstone guitar and he bought it for ten dollars from Sears Roebuck. Although he played the guitar very well, baseball was Pride’s primary hobby. He played for the Memphis Red Sox as a pitcher and outfielder in 1954. In 1956 he was drafted into the military. At this time he married Rozene, a girl he met in Memphis. After his return from the military, he settled in Helena, Montana, working at a zinc smelting plant. He was also playing semi-pro baseball in the Pioneer League. In 1961 he tried to play with the California Angels. Pride was turned down and again, turned down by the New York Mets a year later.

After Charlie stopped playing ball, he turned to his guitar. He did a song on a local television show that really impressed people. Important music people urged him to record his song. The following Spring, Pride had a huge hit with "Just Between You and Me". This song gave him a Grammy Nomination.

In the 70’s Charlie Pride reached a superstar status. He had five #1 songs in a row. He received Performer of the Year in 1971 and in 1972 he also won the association’s Male Vocalist of the Year. Since this time hits continued to flow from Pride. On October 4, 2000, Charlie Pride was honored with the highest of all the country music awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Overall, Charlie Pride is on the most successful black entertainers in country music. Even though Pride enjoyed baseball and tried to make a career of it, his singing and guitar playing gave him a very successful life. Although his baseball efforts failed, he continues to work out annually with MLB’s Texas Rangers. Pride can also be seen playing golf when he isn’t touring or recording music.