Former Hee Haw Star Jim Hager Passed Away From Aparent Heart Attack

“Todd’s hero Kris Kristofferson is featured on ‘Good Fortune’ as the voice of God.”

Typecasting!

Ben–

In his day, Charley Pride was considered one of the most traditional artists getting radio play. The reason he crossed the racial barrier, it’s often been said, was because his voice and style were so undeniably stone-country.

The biggest “countrypolitan” hits of the year or two you’re talking about include Ray Price’s “For the Good Times,” Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden,” Marty Robbins’ “My Woman My Woman My Wife,” Jerry Reed’s “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” even Cash’s “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” — all great songs, I’d say, but also all pop-influenced in the production. It’s what Nashville was doing at the time.

In that context, Pride’s songs were less pop than most. Another one, “I Can’t Believe You Stopped Loving Me,” is as country as anything from that era.

There are few older country stars as recognized as Merle and Willie, and a lot of reasons for that. He’s a soft-spoken family man who avoids controversy, for one. I don’t think it has to do with Pride’s songs being more pop than others.

Along those lines, anyone know what’s up with the bio-pic that was going to be produced on Charley’s life? It was going to be written and directed by Craig Brewer and star Terrence Howard, so it sounded promising.

I had a chance to hear Charley at a fund raiser a couple of years ago. He gave a short speech and then sang a few songs with his acoustic guitar. He was very humble and gracious and sounded great. He definitely lacks the rock star rebel image of Merle, Willie, Waylon etc… I guess outlaws are more memorable and appealing to younger music buyers, thus the lack of label interest.

Chet Flippo’s article on Emmylou is excellent!

Thanks for the link to the Charley Pride article.

I think the lack of attention he gets has less to do with songwriting or the traditional/pop divide and more to do with the fact that he has always been a steady, right-down-the-middle sort of artist. He doesn’t have the dynamic, force-of-nature quality of a Johnny or Waylon. This might be of necessity – suppose the country audience would have welcomed an abrasive, bombastic black singer in the 1960s? It was in his best interest to be safe, not edgy.

He doesn’t have the oddball niche material of a Porter Wagoner (e.g. “The Rubber Room”), either. He records pretty standard country fare – well-chosen and well-sung, but still pretty standard. And his sound doesn’t evolve or change much. The 2003 album, Comfort of Her Wings, was sonically a product of the 1970s. Not always in a good way…

A biopic would get him more attention, but I don’t see a huge revival ahead. He doesn’t have the right sort of personality or catalogue for it. I like him and his music; I just don’t see it happening.

I still contest Merle Haggards notion that Charley Pride’s lack of songwriting credits have lead to his modern obscurity. Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were not talented songsmiths, yet they have endured mostly due to their powerful image. That’s something Charley doesn’t have. Maybe if he did lots of drugs and burned out early like Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin things might be different for his album sales.

Speaking of which, I’m in the mood to add one of his CD’s to my collection… Any suggestions?