Thursday, July 9

Charley Pride Live in Concert

My friend JoAnn's son gave her two tickets to see Charley Pride Live in Concert for tonight and she so generously invited me to come along. I was ecstatic.
Here we are in her backyard just before traveling out of town to have dinner and take in the concert.

We enjoyed a beautiful dinner. I had chicken breast with a mushroom and onion sauce, baked potato, squash and carrots. JoAnn had penne with sundried tomatoes. For an appetizer we had garlic bread with cheese. They brought us a 10 inch plate that was overflowing. Neither of us have ever tasted such good garlic bread. Both of the meals were heartily enjoyed.

Then it was time for the show. The announcer came out to let us know we were in for a special treat. Dion Pride, Charley's son was opening for him.

Dion put on a fine show. He looks much like his father in his younger days.

If you have ever watched Charley in action, Dion's moves are much the same. He is a great singer and has just released a new CD.

Then it was time for Charley himself. He still looks much the same as he did in 1971, when I bought his first album.

He put on a terrific show. He has published a book. Pride tells the story of growing up in Mississippi, one of eleven children. His song Cotton Pickin' Delta Town tells a bit about his life. Yes, he did actually pick cotton when he was a child.
He spoke of his mother, who died when he was quite young. His book is dedicated to her.

He told of close friends in the music industry. Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. He sang a tribute to them by incorporating each of their songs into a medley.

Charley's band is called, The Pride. One member has been with him 32 years and the lead guitarist 13 years.
There was lots of audience participation. Charley mentioned several people who were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. A 90 year old man was in the audience. When his family asked him what he'd like for his birthday, the told them he wanted to go and see Charlie Pride.
Charley has been married to his wife for 52 years. His son, Dion, was born in Montana and is 43 years old.
I snapped the above photo as the concert was winding down. Everyone wanted to shake his hand and get his photo. This is when he came out to do an encore after finishing the show with Kiss An Angel Good Morning.

21 comments:

  1. Charley Pride AND good garlic bread. Wow! I like 'em both.

    "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" is one of my favorites.

    Glad you had such a good time.

    Sherry at EX Marks the Spot

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  2. what a wonderful gift from your friend to take you with her to a Charlie Pride Concert...I did not realize that his son entertained also...
    loved the informative post...

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  3. I haven't kept up with his life and career, but he sounds like a fine gentleman. What a treat for you! I think I'll see if the library has or will get his book.

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  4. Fabulous!!!! It's funny, when I saw the first photo, I thought to myself "He hasn't AGED a bit". Well, duh...it was his son. Such a spittin' image of Charlie's younger days to be sure.

    I just bet it was sooooooo, so enjoyable. I'm glad you got invited to go along. What a memory.

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  5. What a special night! I always liked Charlie Pride.

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  6. Glad you got to go! I would have loved it too!

    Hope all is well
    Love, Jess

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  7. I love Charley Pride..... have listened to his music from the very beginning! I am so glad that you were invited along! What a wonderful treat for a wonderful lady! AND garlic bread to boot! YUM!

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  8. I grew up with Charlie Pride music in my house. My parents played it all the time and it was teh only country music I could bear as a teenager..lol. My mother got to see him in concert a few years ago and it was the highlight of her life. I'm glad to see he's ok, we had bought her tickets to a show a few years before and the tour was cancelled due to him having a health crisis(aneurism I believe) so I'm very happy he's well. And boy does his son look like him!

    Breeze

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  9. Kiss an Angel Good Morning is one of my favorities. Sounds like fun too me,....m...

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  10. Sounds like you had a great time. I've always liked Charley Pride, too. We saw Cathy Mattea on the 4th in Ripley.

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  11. That was so kind of your friend and it sounds like you had a wonderful time!!Hugs, Grams

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  12. What a FUN evening you and your friend had! I loved hearing about your concert and seeing the pictures...you're right! His son looks SO much like him!
    I still remember his music playing on the radio when I was a kid (I'm just a few yrs older than his son...)
    And now I have "Kiss an Angel" playing in my head, Mary...;)
    So awesome to hear he's stayed married to the same woman all these years, too!
    So glad for you that you got to do this!

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  13. That's fantastic, Mary! Always loved Charley Pride's music for many, many years now.

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  14. Oh, yes...C.Pride can really sing. I saw him in person at our State Fair several years ago. Altho I am not a hugh country music fan, I always liked Charlie....

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  15. Oh, that medley must have been heaven on earth!! Sounds like a fantastic time, and the book sounds like something that should come live at my house for awhile..;p

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  16. Oh what fun! I always liked Charley Pride and am glad to hear that he is well and still singing. Nice that his son was there with him too, made it even more special.

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  17. Looks like you had a very good time. Such a good friend to invite you. We need a girls night out now and then.
    Have a good weekend. It is hot and humid here in the south.
    Mama Bear

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  18. Mary-what a fun concert! I've always been a fan of Charley Pride-I'm glad to see he is still touring and doing well.

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  19. Sounds like you had a great time!! I am glad you were able to get such good pictures. Sometimes they won't let you take any.

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  20. Wow, Mary are you ever lucky! Glad that you had a wonderful time.

    God bless.

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  21. What a lovely outing for you. Older performers sing music from your younger days when music had so many personal meanings.

    I am not much for concert going. We were having a baby when I could have gone to Woodstock. I do remember fondly seeing each two or three times: Roy Orbision and The Nylons.

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