The death of pioneer country singer Charley Pride elicited the expected outpouring of condolences and grief from musicians (and politicians), but also concerns from some country performers.
Pride, who died in Dallas on Dec. 12 of complications due to COVID-19, performed Nov. 11 at the CMA Awards, where he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and performed one of his signature songs, “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’,” with current hitmaker Jimmie Allen. Many attendees were seen during the indoor show not wearing masks, and Maren Morris and Mickey Guyton speculated online that Pride could have caught the virus at the event.
The CMA and representatives for Pride released a statement that the country legend - the first Black performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame - was tested for COVID-19 numerous times before, during and after his time in Nashville.
The statement concluded, “Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further.”
Pride was 86.
Here are some of the comments from his peers in the music community.
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