Charlie Pride

[SaskGriz]

Not FCS related but one of Montana's adopt sons. Mr. Charlie Pride died tonight of Covid. Played a lot of ball in Helena and Missoula back in the day. And was also one of the greatest country singers of all time. Legend.

As a tribute I'm gonna "Kiss an Angel good morning" tomorrow morning.

 

[RABIDAWG]

Oh, one of the best. Damn.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Link to news report: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment...from-coronavirus-complications-214205705.html

Sad. Definitely one of the greats.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Got curious about the Montana connection ...
[Wikipedia]:
Pride played three games for the Missoula Timberjacks of the Pioneer League (a farm club of the Cincinnati Reds) in 1960 …
When he was laid off by the Timberjacks, he moved to work construction in Helena, Montana, in 1960. He was recruited to pitch for the local semipro baseball team, the East Helena Smelterites, and the team manager helped him get a job at the local Asarco lead smelter. The lead smelter kept 18 jobs open specifically for baseball players, and arranged their shifts so they could play as a team. Pride batted .444 his first year.

Pride's singing ability soon came to the attention of the team manager, who also paid him to sing for 15 minutes before each game, which increased attendance and earned Pride another $10 on top of the $10 he earned for each game. He also played gigs in the local area, both solo and with a band called the Night Hawks, and Asarco asked him to sing at company picnics. His job at the smelter was dangerous and difficult; he once broke his ankle. He routinely unloaded coal from railroad cars, shoveling it into a 2,400 °F furnace while keeping clear of slag, a task which frequently gave him burns. In a 2014 interview, Pride explained, "I would work at the smelter, work the swing shift and then play music," said Pride. "I'd work 11–7. Drive. Play Friday. Punch in. Drive. Polson. Philipsburg."

Between his smelter job and his music, he made a good living in the Helena area. He moved his wife and son to join him and they lived in Helena until 1967, purchasing their first home there, and with their children Dion and Angela being born at the local hospital. The Pride family moved to Great Falls, Montana, in 1967, because Pride's music career was taking off and he required quicker access to an airport. …

Pride has generally spoken with fondness of the near-decade he spent there. "Montana is a very conservative state … I stood out like a neon [sign]. But once they let you in, you become a Montanan. … “

 

[PlayerRep]

Got curious about the Montana connection ...
[Wikipedia]:
Pride played three games for the Missoula Timberjacks of the Pioneer League (a farm club of the Cincinnati Reds) in 1960 …
When he was laid off by the Timberjacks, he moved to work construction in Helena, Montana, in 1960. He was recruited to pitch for the local semipro baseball team, the East Helena Smelterites, and the team manager helped him get a job at the local Asarco lead smelter. The lead smelter kept 18 jobs open specifically for baseball players, and arranged their shifts so they could play as a team. Pride batted .444 his first year.

Pride's singing ability soon came to the attention of the team manager, who also paid him to sing for 15 minutes before each game, which increased attendance and earned Pride another $10 on top of the $10 he earned for each game. He also played gigs in the local area, both solo and with a band called the Night Hawks, and Asarco asked him to sing at company picnics. His job at the smelter was dangerous and difficult; he once broke his ankle. He routinely unloaded coal from railroad cars, shoveling it into a 2,400 °F furnace while keeping clear of slag, a task which frequently gave him burns. In a 2014 interview, Pride explained, "I would work at the smelter, work the swing shift and then play music," said Pride. "I'd work 11–7. Drive. Play Friday. Punch in. Drive. Polson. Philipsburg."

Between his smelter job and his music, he made a good living in the Helena area. He moved his wife and son to join him and they lived in Helena until 1967, purchasing their first home there, and with their children Dion and Angela being born at the local hospital. The Pride family moved to Great Falls, Montana, in 1967, because Pride's music career was taking off and he required quicker access to an airport. …

Pride has generally spoken with fondness of the near-decade he spent there. "Montana is a very conservative state … I stood out like a neon [sign]. But once they let you in, you become a Montanan. … “

One of his early music supporters was Al Donohue from Great Falls. Donohue had some radio stations, along with other businesses. The stations played Pride's songs. I believe the two of them became good friends.

"While living in Montana, he continued to sing at local clubs, and in Great Falls had an additional boost to his career when he befriended local businessman Louis Allen "Al" Donohue, who owned radio stations including KMON, the first stations to play Pride's records in Montana."

 

[kemajic]

It's Charley.

 

[227GRIZ]

Not FCS related but one of Montana's adopt sons. Mr. Charlie Pride died tonight of Covid. Played a lot of ball in Helena and Missoula back in the day. And was also one of the greatest country singers of all time. Legend.

As a tribute I'm gonna "Kiss an Angel good morning" tomorrow morning.

East Helena.

 

[SaskGriz]

It's Charley.

You are correct, my apologies on the spelling.

 

[Gaeilge1]

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Charley a few times while growing up in Helena. My father did some legal work for him back in the early 60's. I was too young to hear him play in the bars but do remember hearing him sing at some of the Smelterite games. Dad was a big baseball can and he would take me to several games a year. While I don't remember a lot of the particulars, I do remember that Charley was always friendly and congenial to me and my sister when we met him and always wanted to be called Charley instead of Mr. Pride.

I was sorry to hear of his passing yesterday!

RIP Charley!!

 

[Dillon]

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Charley a few times while growing up in Helena. My father did some legal work for him back in the early 60's. I was too young to hear him play in the bars but do remember hearing him sing at some of the Smelterite games. Dad was a big baseball can and he would take me to several games a year. While I don't remember a lot of the particulars, I do remember that Charley was always friendly and congenial to me and my sister when we met him and always wanted to be called Charley instead of Mr. Pride.

I was sorry to hear of his passing yesterday!

RIP Charley!!

Wow - thanks for sharing this alot earlier! :lol: I thought we were drinking buddies!

 

[smarsh]

One of his early music supporters was Al Donohue from Great Falls. Donohue had some radio stations, along with other businesses. The stations played Pride's songs. I believe the two of them became good friends.

"While living in Montana, he continued to sing at local clubs, and in Great Falls had an additional boost to his career when he befriended local businessman Louis Allen "Al" Donohue, who owned radio stations including KMON, the first stations to play Pride's records in Montana."

i was able to briefly get to know al donohue later in his life after he had a stroke. he had great difficulty with his speech, but i could always get him to say "560 KMON!" with much enthusiasm, as well as "Charley Pride! Yes!"

Al seemed like a great guy, from my limited time spent with him. Will miss Charley and have a whisky while listening to his albums this week.

 

[Gaeilge1]

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Charley a few times while growing up in Helena. My father did some legal work for him back in the early 60's. I was too young to hear him play in the bars but do remember hearing him sing at some of the Smelterite games. Dad was a big baseball can and he would take me to several games a year. While I don't remember a lot of the particulars, I do remember that Charley was always friendly and congenial to me and my sister when we met him and always wanted to be called Charley instead of Mr. Pride.

I was sorry to hear of his passing yesterday!

RIP Charley!!

Wow - thanks for sharing this alot earlier! :lol: I thought we were drinking buddies!

We are! But I wasn't drinking much back then. I was 8!