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2020 CMA Awards: Charley Pride called 'legend' after duet with Jimmie Allen and Lifetime Achievement Award

A biographical film based on Pride's life and career was announced to be in the works back in 2011, the film will be produced by and star actor Dwayne Johnson

This year, at the 2020 Annual Country Music Association Awards, the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to the legendary Charley Pride, one of the few African-Americans (along with DeFord Bailey and Darius Rucker) to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Pride, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, was present at the award ceremony to accept this honor. "Fearless, Inspiration, Courageous, Pioneer," Jimmie Allen who presented Pride with the award, tweeted about the legendary singer ahead of the awards show.

Fans on Twitter were quick to congratulate the 86-year-old singer. One fan, moved by Pride's appearance, tweeted, "If you aren't moved by this Charlie Pride performance, you got some learning to do," while another, talking about Jimmie Allen who presented Pride with the award and performed a duet with him, wrote,"'A great man named Pride, Charlie Pride,' Jimmie Allen has made it know that Pride was his country music idol growing up. Tonight he narrated Pride winning three Willie Nelson Achievement Award. What a story."

Another fan, impressed by the singer's CMA Awards speech, said, "Charlie Pride! 86 years old and gracing the CMA stage to perform. What a Legend!" while a different fan, pointing out the ongoing pandemic, tweeted, "Y’all protect Charlie Pride, I don’t like him being in this COVID soup." One user, reminiscing childhood memories about Pride, wrote, "CHARLIE PRIDE! I listened to him when I was a little girl. I also watched the 'Hee Haw'. I also had denim 'Hee Haw' jumper," followed by the hashtag #KissAnAngelGoodMorning. One fan said, "#CharliePride 82 years strong. God Bless you. Still sounding great! #CMAawards"

Pride, besides being a singer and a musician, is also a well-known guitarist, business owner, and former professional baseball player. His greatest musical success came in the early to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis Presley. During the peak years of his recording career (1966–87), he garnered 52 top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 30 of which made it to number one. He has released a total of 47 studio albums, the latest being 'Music in My Heart' in 2017. He's had multiple songs that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and, over the years, has collaborated with many artists.

Pride is known for his impromptu performances. He had a tumor removed from his right vocal cord in 1997 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He returned to the site in February 2009 for a routine checkup and surprised the Arkansas Senate with an unplanned performance of five songs. He was joined by Governor Mike Beebe during the show.

In 1994, Pride co-wrote (with Jim Henderson) his autobiography, 'Pride: The Charley Pride Story'. In this book, he reveals that he has struggled for years with manic depression. A biographical film based on Pride's life and career was announced to be in the works back in 2011. The film will be produced by and star actor Dwayne Johnson.