My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Charley Pride Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award At The National Museum of African American Music

The evening also included a stirring acoustic performance from Country music icon, Garth Brooks, of the last song Pride recorded.

By:

Charley Pride Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award At The National Museum of African American Music Image

Last night at the National Museum of African American Music, Country music legend and pioneering artist, Charley Pride, was honored with the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award. Michele Ballantyne (COO of the RIAA) was on-hand to present the honor to Charley's son, Dion Pride, and also to the National Museum of African American Music for display.

"Charley Pride was an all-time great who opened doors and challenged us all to think harder about what makes country music - and all music - great. We are so grateful to the National Museum of African American Music and the legendary Garth Brooks for coming together to present Charley's family with his RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award. As a Black woman who loves country music, it was a privilege to be part of this incredible moment." - Michele Ballantyne (COO of the RIAA)

The evening also included a stirring acoustic performance from Country music icon, Garth Brooks, of the last song Pride recorded - a duet with Brooks, "Where the Cross Don't Burn," written by the late Troy Jones and the late Phil Thomas plus Garth interjecting throughout the Q&A with performances of acoustic verses of some of Charlie's biggest hits and Garth's personal favorites becoming emotional during a few of the songs.

For "Where the Cross Don't Burn," Brooks traveled to Pride's studio in Dallas to record the duet, which chronicles the friendship between a young White boy and an older Black man during segregation. The ballad sat with Brooks for 10 years waiting for the right time for this collaboration with Pride to materialize and was finally recorded for his latest album, Fun, which was released in September.

"One of the greatest American Icons is Charley Pride, Charley Pride is love." - Garth Brooks

In addition to his performance, Brooks sat down with songwriter, author and Vanderbilt University faculty member, Alice Randall, for a live Q&A where they discussed Pride's profound influence on Brooks, the genre of Country music and their time together recording "Where the Cross Don't Burn."

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
36.2% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
10.7% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
7.2% of votes

Don't Miss a Nashville News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


1776 in Nashville 1776
South Jackson Performing Arts Center (6/19-6/28)
NMTN Presents: The First Stage at Analog with  in Nashville NMTN Presents: The First Stage at Analog with
Analog at The Hutton Hotel with ASCAP (6/13-6/13)
Disney's Frozen in Nashville Disney's Frozen
Playhouse on the Square (11/13-12/20)
Hamilton (Angelica Company) in Nashville Hamilton (Angelica Company)
Tennessee Performing Arts Center (6/16-6/28)
Tribute in Nashville Tribute
Tellico Community Playhouse (6/04-6/21) PHOTOS
Purpose in Nashville Purpose
The Circuit Playhouse (2/19-3/14)
Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Nashville Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Orpheum Theatre (6/02-6/07)
Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” in Nashville Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”
Source One Five (6/26-6/28)
The WordPlayers presents Hairspray: The Musical in Nashville The WordPlayers presents Hairspray: The Musical
Bijou Theatre (7/10-7/12)
International Folk Dancers in Nashville International Folk Dancers
South Jackson Performing Arts Center (6/09-6/09)