Let’s hop in our metaphorical time machine and take a trip down memory lane in the inaugural edition of ‘Today in Country Music History‘.
On May 1st, 1980 the 15th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were held from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The awards were hosted by Claude Akins, Loretta Lynn, and Charley Pride. Winners included: Crystal Gayle as Female Vocalist of the Year, Larry Gatlin as Male Vocalist of the Year, Charlie Daniels Band as Band of the Year, and Larry Gatlin would bring home his second award with Single Record of the Year for ‘All the Gold in California’.
Fast forward to 1993, and Charley Pride finds himself involved in another significant moment on this date in country music history. On the 1st of May in 1993 Pride would accept an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, and become the first black Opry regular in the show’s 70 plus year history. Easy to think that May 1st was a pretty good day for Mr. Charley Pride.
-Cody Chustz