Mississippi native and Country music legend Charley Pride will receive a lifetime achievement award at the 2008 Mississippi Gov.’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts on Feb. 8.
The annual awards honor individuals and organizations for outstanding work in visual, literary and performing arts, community development through the arts, and arts patronage.
“The Mississippi Arts Commission together with the Gov.’s Office, is honored to celebrate this incredible group of artists, arts patrons and arts-based institutions. This year we had approximately fifty nominations, which made the selection process very difficult for the judges,” commission director Malcolm White said Wednesday in a statement.
Other 2008 recipients are Natasha Trethewey of Gulfport, for literary excellence; Lallah Miles Perry of Jackson, for artistic excellence; Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson for Leadership in the Arts; Emma McCain of Meridian, for arts patron.
Pride, born in Sledge, Miss., has sold more than 70 million records in his career. He is best known for his million-selling crossover single “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” recorded in 1971. The song earned Pride the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and the prestigious Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972.
The only artist to sell more albums at RCA Records is fellow Mississippian Elvis Presley.
Charley Pride – All I Have To Offer You Is Me
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5x1TASCcN4[/youtube]
