Surgery on his vocal cords could have taken away one of Charley Pride’s special gifts.
But it didn’t and Pride’s friends say he’s singing the best he ever has.
“I’m blessed that way,” he said.
He had the surgery to remove a cancerous lump on his vocal chords and when his doctor – who also happened to be former president Bill Clinton’s doctor, he notes – gave him the all clear, he belted out five or six songs for the folks at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
“My age hasn’t deterred any of my vocal ability,” Pride said.
The country music legend is on tour again, with a stop in Nanaimo May 25 at the Port Theatre.
Pride was one of 11 children born to sharecroppers in Mississippi who went on to become one of the most successful country music artists. His first hit All I Have to Offer You (Is Me) in 1969 led to 36 more, including the song Every Heart Should Have One.
He played at the Grand Ole Opry, earned dozens of awards, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But in the beginning, he planned to be a professional baseball player.
“Every kid has a dream and that was mine,” he said.
He played baseball for the Negro American League Memphis Red Sox, playing guitar on the bus and at bars during stops on the gruelling road trips. He tried out for the New York Mets, but music turned out to be his destiny and he was signed to RCA records by legendary Chet Atkins.
Pride’s career spanned more than four decades and his goal was always to make enough money to pay his staff – some of whom have been with Pride for more than 30 years – with a bit leftover for himself.
“When I was picking cotton, I was still the same way,” he said.
When the time came, he had enough to be part of his childhood dream once again by becoming part owner in the Texas Rangers. The team won back-to-back pennants in the American League.
Before they win the team wins its next championship, Pride performs in Nanaimo, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and including a selection of his greatest hits.
“Once we leave the stage, my fans feel like they’ve heard every song I’ve ever done,” Pride said.
Tickets $84.50. Please call 250-754-8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com