Wynonna Judd Remembers ‘Gentle Giant’ Charley Pride with Performance of ‘Just Between You and Me’
Wynonna Judd honored the late Charley Pride during the star-studded CMT Giants: Charley Pride special, which aired on Wednesday evening…
Wynonna Judd; Photo Courtesy of John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT
Wynonna Judd honored the late Charley Pride during the star-studded CMT Giants: Charley Pride special, which aired on Wednesday evening (Aug. 25).
Judd recalled Pride’s lasting influence on the country music community prior to her performance.
“I just spoke to Rozene. I saw her and Charley on New Year’s Eve 2019 and I showed up tonight because it is my honor,” she said. “Charley Pride’s voice reflects the truth. He knew exactly how to connect with an audience both in the studio and in concert. His fans, their lives were reflected in his music. When they heard his voice, it spoke to their hearts. What a rare gift he was to all of us, especially my momma and I.”
Judd shared a performance of “Just Between You and Me,” which was written by Country Music Hall of Fame member Jack Clement and recorded by Pride for his second studio album. “Just Between You and Me” was Pride’s first major hit as a country artist.
“Charley is one of those gentle giants that I grew up with,” Judd lovingly shared.
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Charley Pride passed away on December 12, 2020. He celebrated over 50 years as a recording artist and had a lasting impact on the the music community. Pride was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a three-time GRAMMY winner, Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, a CMA and ACM award winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He earned 36 No.1 singles throughout his career.
CMT Giants: Charley Pride also featured performances from Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Gladys Knight, Jimmie Allen, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs, Mickey Guyton, and Pride’s son Dion.
In addition to performances the show included interviews from family, friends and collaborators, including Neal McCoy, Nolan Ryan, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap and Pride’s wife Rozene, who shared their personal memories while reflecting on Pride’s lasting legacy. The special also showcased rare archival photos, interviews and clips with commentary from the late Charley Pride.
The CMT special brought together Pride’s superstar friends and some of the biggest names in country music to celebrate his catalog of legendary hit songs.
CMT Giants: Charley Pride will air again for an encore performance on Sunday, August 29 at 12/11c on CMT.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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