country music star charley pride has passes away from complications related to covid19 he was 86pride credited for being the first modern black superstar of country music passed away on december 12 in dallas texas his publicist shared the news of his demisethe country singer was known for hits like kiss an angel good mornin and is anybody goin to san antoneborn in mississippi in 1934 he worked in cotton fields played professional baseball and served in the us army before moving to nashville in 1963 to pursue a career in music he went on to become country musics first black superstar and the first black member of the country music hall of fame he is also one of three black artists to become members of the grand ole oprypride had just been seen on live tv in november as he received a lifetime achievement award from the country music association on its annual telecast on november 11 he did his final performance at the telecast he performed a duet of his classic kiss an angel good mornin with jimmie allenbefore the cma awards telecast all the performers were said to have undergone repeated covid19 tests priorwith many wondering if there is a connection with pride contracting covid19 so soon after appearing on the show cma representatives have come out with a statement to address the doubtscharley was tested prior to traveling to nashville he was tested upon landing in nashville and again on show day with all tests coming back negative after returning to texas following the cma awards charley again tested negative multiple times all of us in the country music community are heartbroken by charleys passing out of respect for his family during their grieving period we will not be commenting on this further the cma wrote in a statement posted to its websitepride sold more than 25 million records during his career which began in the mid1960she had three grammy awards and was inducted into the country music hall of fame in 2000dolly parton was among the first to pay tribute to pride on social media writing im so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends charley pride has passed away its even worse to know that he passed away from covid19 what a horrible horrible virus charley we will always love you rest in peace my love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fansbilly ray cyrus wrote charley pride opened the door for so many including me he took down walls and barriers meant to divide he became a bridge of music for music lovers who found they had way more in common than they had differentand rules and stereotypes meant to separate were taken down and opened up to the free will of the artist and fan to become one in harmony and song the last time i spoke to my good friend and legend charley pride we met in 92 playing shows together in australia his