How Charley Pride Went Way Out of His Way to Help Brad Paisley

FILE – Charley Pride performs “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” at the 50th annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Nov. 3, 2016. Pride will get a lifetime achievement award at the CMA Awards in November. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Brad Paisley recalled the many ways Charley Pride helped him early on in his career.

Paisley was 15 when Pride told his father that he wanted to help the young musician. From that point on Pride and Paisley performed several times together, upon hearing the news of Pride’s death Paisley took to social media writing, “I’m devastated. You changed country music for the better, Charley. And you changed this kid’s life. We love you.”

Pride passed away due to complications from COVID-19 after being hospitalized in late November. A private memorial is to be held this week with a bigger celebration to commence once larger gatherings are possible.

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