Saw a note in the Travel section of yesterday’s Dallas Morning News that Charley Pride will headline a Grand Ole Opry cruise through the Caribbean in January. Which spawned two thoughts: 1) Pride has come a long since my parents saw him in the 1960s, opening for Merle Haggard, then saving the day when Haggard took the stage drunk and ornery for what turned out to be a three-quarters of one song set. And 2) why doesn’t the Dallas-based Pride get as much modern-day love as other country stars of his generation?
Even Porter Waggoner has had a sort of hipster-aided resurgence. Isn’t it about time people got behind a guy with immense talent and an even better back story? Maybe this will help. I’m sure the Grand Ole Opry cruise is a decent gig and all, but I’d rather see someone emerge as the Jack White to his Loretta Lynn. That’s not to much to ask, is it? And as long as I’m asking favors, my back could use a handful of Flexeril.
