The Day Country Legend Charley Pride Stopped by a Lake Charles Radio Station
Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Some workdays are ordinary. Others become memories you carry for the rest of your life. About 16 years ago, I walked into the Gator 99.5 studio expecting a normal day at the radio station. I had no idea I was about to spend an hour with one of the biggest names country music had ever produced.
Someone came in and casually told me, "A singer named Charley Pride is coming up here. Do you know who he is?" My response was simple: "Do I know who he is? He's a country music legend!"
Pride was in Lake Charles to perform at L'Auberge Casino that evening, and he stopped by the station to drop off his new album. What happened next is something I'll never forget.
He sat down with me, and we listened to the entire album together. The remarkable part? He knew every single word to every song and sang right along as the music played.
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Then I asked him if he'd sing a little bit of his signature song, "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'." Without hesitation, he did.
10 Charley Pride Songs
Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'
Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone
All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)
Someone Loves You, Honey
A Shoulder to Cry On
Burgers and Fries
She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory
Honky Tonk Blues
You Win Again
Why Baby Why
For someone who had spent years hearing his voice on the radio, having him sitting beside me and singing in the studio felt surreal. Charley Pride broke barriers and became one of country music's most successful artists, recording 29 No. 1 country hits during his career.
He died December 12, 2020, at 86. I’ll always remember the kindness of the man behind the legend. RIP, Charley. You truly were a class act.
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