Charley Pride Among Those Honored With The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award

Charley Pride

THE RECORDING ACADEMY will honor three-time GRAMMY-winning country music icon CHARLEY PRIDE with its 2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The three-time GRAMMY winner taught himself to play guitar in his early teens, but he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. After playing in the NEGRO AMERICAN LEAGUE, he was signed by RCA VICTOR and in 1967 he became the first AFRICAN-AMERICAN singer to perform at the GRAND OLE OPRY. "Just Between You And Me" launched PRIDE to stardom, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination in 1966. In 1969, PRIDE scored his first #1 country hit with "All I Have To Offer You (Is Me)." 

THE RECORDING ACADEMY will also honor SHIRLEY CAESAR, AHMAD JAMAL, JIMMIE RODGERS, NINA SIMONE, SLY STONE and the VELVET UNDERGROUND with the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. 

Commented THE RECORDING ACADEMY President/CEO NEIL PORTNOW, "This year's SPECIAL MERIT AWARDS recipients comprise a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history,. These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects, and technical visionaries. Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their respective crafts have created a timeless legacy."

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