Country music legend talks about his Memphis roots

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - One of the most successful country music artists ever comes from the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

You may know some of Charley Pride's greatest hits, but there's an early Memphis chapter to his story that you may have yet to learn.

WMC Action News 5's Joe Birth sat down with the legend during his recent return to the Mid-South.

"He's going to be one of the greats in country music, Charley Pride," said the late, great Johnny Cash.

His prophecy came true. Charley Pride is one of the best selling country artists ever with number one hits like "Kiss an Angel Good Morning."

Pride and his wife Rozene, the angel he's been kissing good morning for 56 years, rolled into Gold Strike Casino with Mississippi memories on their mind.

"I was just telling the guys just coming through Hernando -- I got married right over there," said Pride.

Pride grew up in Sledge, Mississippi, just 55 miles south of Memphis, where he really did pick cotton with his farming father.

"I picked cotton 'til my fingers hurt, dragging the sack through that Delta dirt," Pride sang.

"I would be picking cotton alongside Daddy. I'd say 'Dad, I ain't gonna pick.' You don't know what you gonna be. Go to work," Pride told WMC Action News 5.

Instead of a guitar, a baseball bat became the tool Pride dreamed he'd use to make a living!

"When I saw Jackie Robinson go the majors, here's my way out of the cotton fields!"

Pride came to Memphis and struggled but ultimately became an All-Star in the Negro Baseball League.

"I played at Crump and Wellington at the old Memphis Red Sox baseball stadium. Now I think they park city trucks where that used to be," he explained.

Pride worked at The Peabody while trying to eek out a Memphis living playing baseball.

Among his many Memphis jobs, Charley Pride was an elevator operator at the famous hotel.

All these years later, he's risen to the top of the country charts and the world of baseball.

"I'm part owner of the Texas Rangers now. So going from all of that, now that's a blessing," said the music legend.

Like Jackie Robinson, he broke color barriers in country music. In 1993, he became the first African American member of the Grand Ole Opry.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Anyway you cut it, Charley Pride's career has been a long, deep home run!

Pride still vibrant at 76 years old, signed his autobiography during his visit with WMC Action News 5's Joe Birch.

In it, Charley reveals he suffers from manic depression and manages the illness with two lithium tablets a day.

He says his revelation about manic depression, also known as bi-polar disorder, has helped many of his fans bring their own battle with the problem into the sunlight with their families.

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